Written for those who work with pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties, this practical book uniquely describes content for a special curriculum in maths, and looks at how early ideas develop and become real knowledge, essential to daily function. Les Staves explains recent theories about the early development of understanding numbers, including a breakdown of the processes of learning to count which are largely neglected in the National Curriculum. He also outlines the ‘big ideas’ that are fundamental to the beginnings of mathematical thinking for children with severe and profound learning difficulties, which are vital to carrying out practical mathematical processes.

Written for those who work with pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties, this practical book uniquely describes content for a special curriculum in maths, and looks at how early ideas develop and become real knowledge, essential to daily function. Les Staves explains recent theories about the early development of understanding numbers, including a breakdown of the processes of learning to count which are largely neglected in the National Curriculum. He also outlines the ‘big ideas’ that are fundamental to the beginnings of mathematical thinking for children with severe and profound learning difficulties, which are vital to carrying out practical mathematical processes.

This landmark resource gives educational decision-makers and researchers theoretical and practical insight into mathematical learning difficulties and disabilities, combining diverse perspectives from fields such as special education, developmental

"The ancient Greeks argued that the best life was filled with beauty, truth, justice, play and love. The mathematician Francis Su knows just where to find them."--Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine" This is perhaps the most important mathematics book of our time. Francis Su shows mathematics is an experience of the mind and, most important, of the heart."--James Tanton, Global Math Project For mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. To miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity's most beautiful ideas. In this profound book, written for a wide audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an award-winning mathematician and educator weaves parables, puzzles, and personal reflections to show how mathematics meets basic human desires--such as for play, beauty, freedom, justice, and love--and cultivates virtues essential for human flourishing. These desires and virtues, and the stories told here, reveal how mathematics is intimately tied to being human. Some lessons emerge from those who have struggled, including philosopher Simone Weil, whose own mathematical contributions were overshadowed by her brother's, and Christopher Jackson, who discovered mathematics as an inmate in a federal prison. Christopher's letters to the author appear throughout the book and show how this intellectual pursuit can--and must--be open to all.

Brought to an American audience for the first time, How I Wish I'd Taught Maths is the story of an experienced and successful math teacher's journey into the world of research, and how it has entirely transformed his classroom.

The book will covers a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning and demonstrates how mathematics can be related to personal and social development, communication and thinking skills. Written with the non-specialist in mind and including plenty of practical examples, it will make useful reading for teachers in mainstream and special schools, and learning support assistants. Early years practitioners and teachers in training may find the book useful for its descriptions of how children acquire their foundation of early mathematics and numeracy skills.

Most philosophers of mathematics treat it as isolated, timeless, ahistorical, inhuman. Reuben Hersh argues the contrary, that mathematics must be understood as a human activity, a social phenomenon, part of human culture, historically evolved, and intelligible only in a social context. Hersh pulls the screen back to reveal mathematics as seen by professionals, debunking many mathematical myths, and demonstrating how the "humanist" idea of the nature of mathematics more closely resembles how mathematicians actually work. At the heart of his book is a fascinating historical account of the mainstream of philosophy--ranging from Pythagoras, Descartes, and Spinoza, to Bertrand Russell, David Hilbert, and Rudolph Carnap--followed by the mavericks who saw mathematics as a human artifact, including Aristotle, Locke, Hume, Mill, and Lakatos. What is Mathematics, Really? reflects an insider's view of mathematical life, and will be hotly debated by anyone with an interest in mathematics or the philosophy of science.