Teaching Math at a Distance, Grades K-12

Theresa Wills, PhD, is an assistant professor of mathematics education in the School of Education at George Mason University, where she works with inservice mathematics specialists and preservice elementary and secondary teachers. Theresa has taught synchronous online classes and webinars since 2010 and researches teaching practices that are adaptable to the online environment. She is a former classroom teacher, and math coach who still volunteers weekly in K-12 classrooms.

Acknowledgments About the Author Preface Introduction Part I: Getting Ready Chapter 1: Setting the Stage for the Virtual Math Classroom Chapter 2: Setting Norms for the Virtual Math Classroom Chapter 3: Incorporating Manipulatives in the Virtual Math Classroom Chapter 4: Selecting Activities for the Virtual Math Classroom Part II: Facilitating Instruction Chapter 5: Strategies to Build Strong Math Communities Chapter 6: Strategies to Promote Student Thinking Chapter 7: Strategies to Facilitate Routines Online Chapter 8: Facilitating Mathematical Discourse Online Through Rich Tasks Chapter 9: Learning Stations Part III: Consolidating and Assessing Learning Chapter 10: Assessment Chapter 11: Strategies for Effective Homework Conclusion: Go and Make a Difference References Cited

"Theresa Wills offers so many practical ideas for distance learning along with clever tips from her many years of experience. The cornerstone of Theresa's work is creating space for student voice and student choice, and this book is a gold mine of ideas and strategies. Theresa's work has profoundly influenced my teaching practices in so many ways that make learning more enjoyable for teachers and students." -- Molly Rawding, Mathematics Coach/Specialist "If you feel hopeless and helpless about teaching mathematics online, stop now and read this book. Theresa Wills shares the benefits that come from online teaching and coaches you through the challenging parts. Learn to transfer what is best about your classroom environment into the online world and get to know your students and their learning even more than ever." -- Kimberly Morrow-Leong, Mathematics Education Specialist "As much of the country has been thrust into online learning with little preparation or professional development, Teaching Math at a Distance is just what our educators need. Dr. Theresa Wills's wealth of experience and anecdotes provide an easy-to-read road map for distance learning. Even though I have been teaching for 18 years, I have discovered so many techniques in this book that I am excited to try within my new virtual classes." -- Melanie Dash, Mathematics Teacher "This book is a must-have! It provides wonderful ideas of how to teach math in a virtual setting and is practical and applicable to a wide range of grades. Many of the ideas can be utilized in face-to-face settings as well to help engage each and every student through the use of technology." -- Kevin Dykema, Eighth-Grade Mathematics Teacher "As a mathematics educator doing distance learning, I am continually searching for the best practices and tools for teaching and learning in this setting . . . and there are always too many tabs open. It's time to close the tabs and open Dr. Theresa Wills's book. Full of practical strategies and written with a 'can-do' attitude about engaging students remotely in rich mathematics instruction, this is a must-read for any math teacher who seeks to promote student agency, to make thinking visible, and to continue to reach all learners even at a distance." -- Beth Terry, Mathematics Coach "What a remarkable resource! It provides guidance on everything from how to be more effective and efficient at setting norms and managing the logistics of using microphones and video, to much more complex concerns around student access, agency, and equity! It's beautiful to see through Theresa Wills's work that all of the characteristics of quality math instruction can live in the virtual math classroom." -- Jennifer Lempp "Theresa Wills provides clear, concrete, research-based practices that will help any teacher engage students in distance learning settings! This book provides easy-to-use practices and frameworks that keep the focus on mathematical sense-making and rich problem solving. Whether you are new with distance learning or an experienced veteran, Teaching Math at a Distance will expand your math distance teaching vocabulary in productive ways!" -- Michael D. Steele, Professor, Mathematics Education