How the Brain Learns Mathematics

by David A. Sousa

To reach all your math students, use your brain--and theirs, too!

The bestselling and award-winning first edition of How the Brain Learns Mathematics quickly revolutionized math teaching and learning. The second edition takes readers to the next level with new brain-friendly strategies backed by the latest research from education and neuroscience and even more ways to seamlessly incorporate what you learn about your students' developing minds into your math classroom.

In this essential resource, you'll discover the cognitive mechanisms involved in processing mathematical operations, while exploring the environmental and developmental factors that create learning difficulties. How the Brain Learns Mathematics also presents a unique and simplified four-step teaching model that relates students' classroom experience to concrete, real-world applications. Features of the new edition include



More strategies for motivating adolescents Integration of the arts into mathematics instruction New information on how technology affects attention and memory Expanded sections on number sense and ELL instruction More than 160 new references and a greatly expanded index for readers' convenience

No matter what grade you teach, your students are growing and changing. Understanding how their brains work is the key to reaching every one of them--and making math a positive part of their lives for years to come.

"David Sousa's book is a wonderfully readable presentation of how neuroscience and cognitive psychology can inform the teaching of mathematics in elementary and secondary schools. Sousa engages his readers intellectually with recent research on the brain and mathematics learning, and avoids pat answers where the evidence is suggestive rather than conclusive. The book is a valuable text for teachers who want a deeper insight into thinking processes behind the learning and teaching of math."

--Robert E. Slavin, Director, Center for Research and Reform in Education
Johns Hopkins University


"Teaching mathematics without having read this book is like trying to master tennis without a coach. Sousa′s book is a tour de It builds a solid bridge from cognitive neuroscience to daily classroom practice. Every teacher of mathematics will benefit from this well-researched, well-organized, thoughtful, and practical approach to making math instruction align with how brains learn."

--Spencer Kagan, Publisher/Professional Developer
Kagan Publishing and Professional Development

Genres: Education, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Teaching

256 pages, ebook

First published September 17, 2007

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I purchase materials for our professional collection, I try to read them. I was intimidated by this book because I have always felt I do not have a math brain. My oldest daughter is a math teacher, and I realized that I, like too many of us, say, "I'm not good at math." As an English teacher, I would never accept the same comments from a student about English, so why should I deem it suitable to speak this way about math? So, I set aside my hesitations, and I read this book.

It's actually easy to read and provides lots of research. I've read many books and articles about brain based learning, and this book applies all of that to how we should teach math for optimal learning. The author provides specific examples and instructions for how to teach. I think the book is more relevant for elementary schools than high schools, but I still recommend high school teachers to read this.

In a world of high stakes testing and companies that are creating new programs every year for English and Math, this book shows that it's not so much what we teach but how and when we teach it and why.

[Lesley Doane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some excellent insight into how brain development impacts the learning of Mathematics. There were some new ideas that I found to be instrumental toward improving my practice and this books sets the stage for building wide PLC's. A must read!

[Kenny Cronin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a class/PD I’m taking and it was actually good for a textbook. Of course I was skimming for answers but I actually read it and was interested in the neurology aspect and I liked when it affirmed what I already do in the classroom.

[Genie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relatively good, easy for laypersons to understand. Would have liked to see more examples of instruction and more studies of what works and what does not.

[Rebecca Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those in education.

[Vicky North · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for the first year teacher as well as the veteran teacher. Great tools to use in the classroom. When you know how the brain learns and where your students are at developmental, you will gain a better understanding on what students are thinking and why. The author breaks each group of students as primary, preadolescent, and adolescent. I would like to learn more about students learning a second language and how they learn. This author briefly touched on this subject stating there needs to be more research. The author gives many examples to help you better understand.

[Cassandra Lashae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and interesting. Not bad for a PD requirement.

[Matthew Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sousa's work may be useful for teaching younger kids, but as children age, his descriptions and suggestions become increasingly psychological rather than neurological, and he paints in too-broad strokes. Much of what he says at that point also ends up being rehash of what many have already written already. Additionally, his suggestions break down into lists, which are difficult to read. There is good material, but it's just more useful for younger kids and not always terribly practical, I find.

[Reagan Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does have some fascinating information about the brain. However, some of the information about teaching math is either surface level or just plain incorrect/outdated. There are some facts that I will definitely share with the teachers I work with, but if you’re looking for a book that’s going to improve your instruction, I don’t think this will help much.

[Heidi]

Enjoying this so far and interested in his other titles, including 'How the Brain Learns to Read.'

[Mills College Library]

510.71 S725 2008