Teaching for Mathematical Understanding

Teaching for Mathematical Understanding develops the subject knowledge support and practical ideas from Tony Cotton’s Understanding and Teaching Primary Mathematics into resources for full lessons. With an emphasis on developing outstanding lessons using a problem-solving approach, this highly practical guide is packed with activities that all trainee and practising teachers can use in the primary classroom.

Covering each area of mathematics, every activity offers helpful step-by-step guidance, including teaching and learning objectives; resources; lesson outlines; ideas for differentiation; assessment for learning and key probing questions. Also featured in this text are call-outs to the information contained in the book’s companion website, a shared site with a range of relevant resources to support and consolidate your learning.


Teaching for Mathematical Understanding is an essential text for all trainee and practising teachers looking for inspiration and guidance towards outstanding mathematics teaching.


Companion website features include:


Video clips in which primary school teachers demonstrate concepts covered in the book through teaching to a real class
PowerPoint presentations which provide support for those using the book as part of a teacher training course
updated weblinks to external sites with useful teaching information and resources.