Principles to Actions Professional Learning Toolkit

  • These grade-band specific professional learning modules are focused on the Effective Teaching Practices and Guiding Principles from Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All.

    Presentation, presenter notes, and required materials are provided in each module to support professional learning with teachers through analyzing artifacts of teaching (e.g., mathematical tasks, narrative and video cases, student work samples, vignettes) and abstracting from the specific examples general ideas about how to effectively support student learning.

    The Teaching and Learning Modules were developed in collaboration with the Institute for Learning (IFL) at the University of Pittsburgh.

    Principles to Actions Reflection Guide »


    Learning modules are available exclusively to NCTM members. Limited open examples are provided for each grade level (denoted with *).

    Effective Teaching Practices

    To access module materials, use links on left column of table below.

    Primary emphasis

    Secondary emphasis

    Establish math goals to focus learning Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Use and connect math representations representa-
    tions
    Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pose purposeful Questions Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding under-
    standing
    Support productive struggle in learning math Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Elementary School
    Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Addition Strings module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Addition Strings module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Addition Strings module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Donuts module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Donuts module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Half of a whole module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Half of a whole module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Half of a whole module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Half of a whole module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Bubble Gum module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Bubble Gum module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Bubble Gum module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Bubble Gum module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Multiplication String module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Multiplication String module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Multiplication String module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Middle School
    Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Calling Plans 2 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Calling Plans 2 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Calling Plans 2 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Hexagon module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Counting Cubes module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Counting Cubes module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Counting Cubes module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Counting Cubes module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Two Storage Tanks module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Two Storage Tanks module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Triangle module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Triangle module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Triangle module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    High School
    Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations S - Pattern module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions S - Pattern module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding S - Pattern module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Playground module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Playground module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Playground module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Playground module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Bike and Truck module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Bike and Truck module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Bike and Truck module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Bike and Truck module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Calling Plans 1 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Calling Plans 1 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Calling Plans 1 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Calling Plans 1 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Sine Waves module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Sine Waves module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Sine Waves module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Sine Waves module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking

    Effective Teaching Practices

    To access module materials, use links on left column of table below.

    Primary emphasis

    Secondary emphasis

    Establish math goals to focus learning Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Use and connect math representations representa-
    tions
    Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pose purposeful Questions Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding under-
    standing
    Support productive struggle in learning math Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Elementary School
    Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Band Concert module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Addition Strings module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Addition Strings module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Addition Strings module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Addition Strings module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Donuts module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Donuts module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Donuts module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Donuts module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Half of a whole module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Half of a whole module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Half of a whole module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Half of a whole module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Half of a whole module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Bubble Gum module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Bubble Gum module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Bubble Gum module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Bubble Gum module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Bubble Gum module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Multiplication String module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Multiplication String module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Multiplication String module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Multiplication String module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Hungry Caterpillar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Establish math goals to focus learning Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Use and connect math representations representa-
    tions
    Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pose purposeful Questions Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding under-
    standing
    Support productive struggle in learning math Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Middle School
    Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Candy Jar module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Calling Plans 2 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Calling Plans 2 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Calling Plans 2 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Calling Plans 2 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Hexagon module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Hexagon module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Counting Cubes module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Counting Cubes module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Counting Cubes module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Counting Cubes module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Counting Cubes module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Two Storage Tanks module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Two Storage Tanks module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Two Storage Tanks module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Two Storage Tanks module has high degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Triangle module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Triangle module has high degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Triangle module has high degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Triangle module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Establish math goals to focus learning Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Use and connect math representations representa-
    tions
    Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pose purposeful Questions Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding under-
    standing
    Support productive struggle in learning math Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    High School
    Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Pay It Forward module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations S - Pattern module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions S - Pattern module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding S - Pattern module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math S - Pattern module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Playground module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Playground module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Playground module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Playground module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Playground module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Bike and Truck module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Bike and Truck module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Bike and Truck module has high degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Bike and Truck module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Bike and Truck module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Calling Plans 1 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Calling Plans 1 module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Calling Plans 1 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Calling Plans 1 module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Calling Plans 1 module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
    Sine Waves module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Establish math goals to focus learning Sine Waves module has moderate degree of emphasis for principle Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Use and connect math representations Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Facilitate meaningful math discourse Sine Waves module has high degree of emphasis for principle Pose purposeful Questions Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding Sine Waves module has high degree of emphasis for principle Support productive struggle in learning math Sine Waves module has no degree of emphasis for principle Elicit and use evidence of student thinking

    Effective Teaching Practices

    Elementary Grade Band

    The Case of Mr. Harris and the Band Concert*

    During this session you will discuss NCTM's publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, read and analyze a short case of a teacher, and discuss the eight teaching practices and relate them to the case.

    Relates to all 8 principles


    The Case of Jennifer DiBrienza and the Addition Strings Task

    During this session you will watch a video clip of a class engaged in a whole class discussion on an addition string, discuss what the teacher does to support the students' learning of mathematics, and relate teacher actions in the video to the effective mathematics teaching practices.

    Related principles:

    • Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding
    • Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving

    The Case of Amanda Smith and the Donuts Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Donuts Task and then watch video clips of a class working on the task. After viewing the video you will relate the teacher and student actions to the effective mathematics teaching practices and consider how you might apply specific mathematics teaching practices to your work.

    Related principles:

    • Use and connect mathematical representations
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Millie Brooks and the Half of a Whole Task*

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Half of a Whole Task and watch a video clip of a teacher facilitating small group work using this task. You will then, discuss ways the teacher supports her students' learning of mathematics and connect specific teacher actions seen in the video to the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices.

    Related principles:

    • Facilitate meaningful mathematics discourse
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Victoria Bill and the Bubble Gum Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Bubble Gum Task, watch a video clip of a third grade class engaged in a whole discussion of a fraction task, discuss ways the teacher supports her students' learning of mathematics, and relate teacher actions in the video to the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices.

    Related principles:

    • Use and connect mathematical representations
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Katherine Casey and the Multiplication Strings Task

    During this session you will watch a video clip of a fourth grade class engaged in a whole discussion of a series of related multiplication equations, discuss what the teacher does to support the students' learning of mathematics, and relate teacher actions in the video to the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices.

    Related principles:

    • Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving
    • Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding

    The Case of Ms. Bouchard and the Hungry Caterpillar Task

    During this session you will examine the purpose and key messages of NCTM's publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, read a case of a first-grade teacher using the Very Hungry Caterpillar Task with her students, discuss the eight mathematics teaching practices and relate them to the case, and reflect on next steps in strengthening these teaching practices in your own instruction .

    Relates to all 8 principles

    Middle School Grade Band

    The Case of Mr. Donnelly and the Candy Jar Task*

    During this session you will discuss NCTM's publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, read and analyze a short case of a teacher, and discuss the eight teaching practices and relate them to the case.

    Relates to all 8 principles


    The Case of Elizabeth Brovey and the Calling Plans 2 Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the calling plans task parts 1 and 2, watch two video clips and discuss what the teacher does to support her students engagement in and understanding of mathematics, and discuss the effective mathematics teaching practice of Pose purposeful Questions.

    Relates to the principle of:

    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Barbara Peterson, Patrica Rossman and the Hexagon Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the hexagon task, watch a video clip and discuss what the teacher does to support her students' engagement in and understanding mathematics, and discuss how the effective mathematics teaching practice of promote productive struggle connects to other effective mathematics teaching practices through comparing the video clip and a narrative case.

    Relates to the principle of:

    • Supporting productive struggle in learning mathematics

    The Case of Peter Dubno and the Counting Cubes Task*

    During this session you will solve and discuss counting cubes task, watch the video clip and discuss what the teacher does to support his students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics, and discuss the effective mathematics teaching practices of use and connect mathematical representations and facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse.

    Related principles:

    • Use and connect mathematical representations
    • Facilitate meaningful mathematics discourse

    The Case of Elizabeth Brovey and the Two Storage Tanks Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Two Storage Tanks Task, watch the video clip of a teacher facilitating small groupwork using this task, discuss ways the teacher supports her students' learning of mathematics, and connect specific teacher actions seen in the video clip to to the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices.

    Related principles:

    • Use and connect mathematical representations
    • Pose purposeful questions
    • Elicit and use evidence of student thinking

    The Case of Kelly Polosky and the Triangle Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Triangle Task, watch video clips and discuss what the teacher does to support her students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics, and discuss the effective mathematics teaching practice procedural fluency from conceptual understanding.

    Relates to the principle of:

    • Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding

    High School Grade Band

    The Case of Ms. Culver and the Pay it Forward Task*

    During this session you will discuss NCTM's publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, read and analyze a short case of a teacher, and discuss the eight teaching practices and relate them to the case.

    Relates to all 8 principles


    The Case of Jeffrey Ziegler and the S-Pattern Task*

    During this session you will solve and discuss the S-Pattern Task, watch video clips and discuss what the teacher does to support his students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics. You will then discuss the effective mathematics teaching practice of support productive struggle.

    Relates to the principle of:

    • Support productive struggle in learning mathematics

    The Case of Debra Campbell and the Building a New Playground Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss two versions of the Building a New Playground Task, watch the video clip and discuss what the teacher does to support her students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics, discussing the effective mathematics teaching practices of support productive struggle and Pose purposeful Questions.

    Related principles:

    • Support productive struggle in learning mathematics
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Shalunda Shackelford and the Bike and Truck Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Bike and Truck Task, watch video clips and discuss what the teacher does to support her students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics. Using the same video clips, you will also talk through the effective mathematics teaching practice of facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse.

    Related principles:

    • Facilitate meaningful mathematics discourse
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Wobberson Torchon and the Calling Plans 1 Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the Calling Plans Task, watch the video clip and discuss what the teacher does to support her students' engagement in and understanding of mathematics, and discuss the effective mathematics teaching practices of Pose purposeful Questions and use and connect mathematical representations.

    Related principles:

    • Use and connect mathematical representations
    • Pose purposeful questions

    The Case of Barbara Lynch and the Investigate the Graphs of Sine Waves Task

    During this session you will solve and discuss the homework of Sine Waves task, read the case study and discuss what the teacher does to support her students engagement and understanding of mathematics, and discuss the effective mathematics teaching practice elicit and use evidence of student thinking.

    Related principles:

    • Pose purposeful questions
    • Support productive struggle in learning mathematics
    • Elicit and use evidence of student thinking

    Guiding Principles

    Equitable Pedagogy

    Equity and Access - All grades
    Participants will consider productive and unproductive beliefs with an emphasis on facilitating all students' development of mathematical processes and practices. Participants will be challenged to consider beliefs that hinder students' mathematical growth. The mathematics teaching practices from Principles to Actions will be discussed as a strategy for promoting growth mindsets in students and teachers.

    Using Identity and Agency to Frame Access and Equity

    Equity and Access - All grades
    Vignettes and the voices of students, teachers, and other school personnel are used to develop identity (beliefs about oneself, mathematics, etc.) and agency (the presentation of one's identity) as a framework for defining and addressing obstacles. Effective Teaching Practices support the cultivation of a positive identity and agency.

  • Priniciples to Actions 10th anniversary cover 125pixelsLimited 10th Anniversary Edition now available!
    Featuring a new cover design and foreword by author team, this collectible, Limited 10th Anniversary Edition of Principles to Actions celebrates 10 years of useful and actionable guidance to educators as we work to strengthen the teaching and learning of school mathematics for every student.