Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics: Teachers' Understanding of Fundamental Mathematics in China and the United States (Studies in Mathematical Thinking and Learning Series)

On a positive side: this book apparently has several interesting findings and insights. However, these findings are not presented properly.The book is written in the form of a scientific survey and focuses on approaches of Chinese and US teachers to dealing with few (though) important topics. The problem is that for a scientific paper, it is too long and not scientific enough (to my taste).As a practical guide (e.g., to a parent or a teacher) it is not good enough either, because it covers only few (mostly arithmetic) topics. What about logic problems, puzzles, estimating rather than computing exactly, etc? Which role do those subjects play and how should one teach them best?The book is outright boring, repetitive, and filled with citations of interviewed teachers by approx. one third. The data is apparently scarce (only 20 something US teaches were interviewed), but the conclusions are rather broad. The author claimed to have "blown the myth" that elementary math is not considered as a serious topic in US. Yet, the existence of the myth is never really proved rather than in a folkloric manner. Yes, the language is somewhat stilted.Last, but not least, I remember no serious attempt to justify the statistical validity of the results. For instance, Shanghai schools (that are overrepresented in this survey) are known to be very advanced at math.

I like the comparison even though In China elementary school teachers are departmentalized and focuses on small number of teachers on both sides, USA and China. The focus is what is our mistakes and how we can do better it is not to put USA down etc...

Great book for both beginners and veteran teachers.

We used this book in a state-sponsored course designed to improve the way mathematics is taught in the public schools.Mathematics teaching in the US has traditionally focused on teaching and memorizing procedures rather than understanding the underlying concepts and relationships - this book encourages teachers to question that.It may be a bit dry, but it is an excellent resource for those looking to improve their understanding of the important ideas in mathematics in order to improve the way they teach.

Superb little book in mathematics education. I've been familiar with this classic for a long time and I consider it the best mathematics education book ever written. If only our country would do the same for preparation of elementary school teachers charge was teaching elementary mathematics. Her term PUFM, Profound Understanding of Fundamental Mathematics, is standard in her native China (with several fewer years of preparation) and all too rare with ours.

Very Helpful

Love this book. I have learned so much about conceptual knowledge as opposed to procedural that lacks complete understanding.

This book clearly answers a lot of questions I have about the differences between Mathematics teaching in the US and Asia.

Book is very good so far. The transfer to e-book is appalling. For the price I would have expected more care taken over the conversion to e-book.The book is almost unreadable on a normal 'paper like' Kindle. Notes appear in middle of pages surrounded by a box. Mathematical notation is tiny and resistant to any change in font size.On my tablet the experience is improved but still not good, the notes in the middle of pages being the main culprit.

A MUST read for ALL Primary/Elementary school teachers. Liping Ma brings new insight to the teaching of certain core issues. Every school needs a staff development workshop examining this book and discussing the implications for maths teachers and teaching. I recommend this book as a MUST HAVE!!.Dr ken Alston

👍

Very great.

Aunque el libro es un poco caro para la edición tan sencilla que es, el contenido es de gran interés. Una comparación entre la enseñanza de las matemáticas en la educación primaria china y la estadounidense, que da muchas claves. Claves prácticas para la renovación de la formación de los maestros que son la pieza fundamental del sistema.