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The Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) process, funded by the National Science Foundation, supports teachers in improving practice by connecting standards and research to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Designed for facilitators, this guide provides a robust set of professional development tools, templates, and designs to strengthen mathematics programs, enhance teachers' content knowledge, identify key concepts and procedures, and improve mathematics instruction. A companion to "Mathematics Curriculum Topic Study," this comprehensive guide features: (1) A solid foundation in the CTS study process that emphasizes how to meaningfully utilize standards and learning research to improve practice; (2) A process-driven approach that accommodates the dynamic nature of standards--adapting easily to initiatives such as the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and NCTM Focal Points; (3) Introductory sessions that acquaint participants with the CTS process and resources; (4) Designs and guidelines for leading common topic studies and creating your own; (5) Practical suggestions for applying CTS to content, curriculum, instruction, and formative assessment; (6) Examples that illustrate how to embed CTS into ongoing professional development such as collaborative inquiry into examining student thinking or case discussions; (7) Programs for half- and full-day workshops, professional learning communities, and individual coaching; (8) A CD-ROM with handouts, PowerPoint slides, and reproducibles. Bringing CTS into schools and other professional development settings is a highly effective way for mathematics leaders to improve teaching practices and boost student learning. [This book is a joint publication with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance.]

Award-winning author Page Keeley and mathematics expert Cheryl Rose Tobey apply the successful format of Keeley's best-selling "Science Formative Assessment" to mathematics. They provide 75 formative assessment strategies and show teachers how to use them to inform instructional planning and better meet the needs of all students. Research shows that formative assessment has the power to significantly improve learning, and its many benefits include: (1) Stimulation of metacognitive thinking; (2) Increased student engagement; (3) Insights into student thinking; and (4) Development of a discourse community. The authors also provide important guidance with each technique, including usage tips and caveats, implementation examples, and suggested modifications. With practical strategies that are relevant for all grades and topic areas, "Mathematics Formative Assessment" provides the tools to transform teaching and learning in your classroom. Annotated Resources for Mathematics Formative Assessment are appended. An index is included.