Young Mathematicians at Work: Constructing Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction, by Catherine Twomey Fosnott and Maarten Dolk (Heinemann, Portsmouth, NY, 2001)
I must return this book to the library today, and I don't have time to finish reading it, but nonethless it deserves mention. This joint effort of American and Dutch mathematics educators is often repetitive and sometimes wearisome to read, but includes ideas well worth exploring by anyone desiring to teach, or to learn, mathematics at its most basic levels. Their strategies for encouraging children to think mathematically are aimed at classrooom teachers—and show, incidentally, some of the advantages of group instruction—but many should be adaptable to home education as well.
When I learned of this book I had intended to order it as a Christmas present for our grandkids. (I know what you're thinking—such an odd grandmother!) However, while it is a great book to learn from, it's not that exciting a book to own. So do what I did, and turn to your favorite library—Interlibrary Loan, if necessary.
