Explain this
Mathematics for Primary and Early Years: Developing Subject Knowledge
How the publisher describes it:
“This task-driven text emphasizes strategies and processes and is very different from the usual style of mathematics textbooks. For example, algebra is treated as a way of thinking mathematically, rather than merely manipulating symbols. Each of the sections is designed to stand alone so that they can be studied in any order or dipped into as needed.”
Review by Matthew Reames
In brief:
Unfortunately misnamed, this book is not a guide to primary and early years mathematics. Instead, it is a self-study text for people hoping to improve their mathematical understanding and confidence.
“A useful resource for people wishing to brush up on their knowledge of mathematical ideas and concepts up to GCSE level.”
Mathematics for Primary and Early Years: Developing Subject Knowledge is not a guide to primary mathematics at all. Instead, it is part revision book, part refresher course of maths to GCSE level.
Written as part of the series Developing Subject Knowledge, this book is one of several used in an Open University course as part of the Foundation Degree in Early Years. Each chapter covers a different mathematical strand: number, measures and proportion, statistics, algebra, geometry, chance, and proof. The book is designed to be a self-study text for people who are trying to build their confidence in mathematics.
While the book seems rather useful as a basic mathematical reference text (if encountering gradians, for example, turn to page 53 for a description), it seems that the title is unfortunately misleading: those looking for a maths revision guide will miss it while those hoping for help developing their knowledge of primary and early years maths will be rather disappointed.
Matthew Reames • Former Head of Mathematics, St Edmund's Junior School, Canterbury, now PhD student in mathematics education at the University of Virginia
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; Second Edition edition (2 July 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1412946107
ISBN-13: 978-1412946100
Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 19 x 1.4 cm
