The new Contexts for Learning Mathematics series by Catherine Fosnot and colleagues from Mathematics in the City and the Freudenthal Institute uses carefully crafted math situations to foster a deep conceptual understanding of essential mathematical ideas, strategies, and models. Building on the ideals of a math workshop, each unit provides a two-week sequence of investigations, minilessons, games, and other contexts for learning. The series’ 18 classroom-tested units are organized into three age-appropriate packages.

 

• Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (Grades K–3) supports the development of such fundamental topics as place value, compensation and equivalence, addition and subtraction on the open number line, and the efficient use of five- and ten-structures.

 

• Investigating Multiplication and Division (Grades 3–5) explores with increasing sophistication big ideas in multiplication and division including systematic factoring, the distributive, associative, and commutative properties as well as their use in computation.

 

• Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (Grades 4–6) examines fundamental topics such as equivalence of fractions, how to multiply and divide with fractions, proportional reasoning, rates, and the ordering of decimals.