Maths education books – reviewed and distilled

Lisa Coe reviews education books, alongside being primary maths lead for a MAT in the East of England. In this interview she talks about the maths books that she has found most useful, what she has learned from them and why she writes a blog to summarise their most useful points.

Many of the books she reads are written by secondary maths specialists, and she talks about what these can offer primary, as well as secondary teachers.

Show notes

Taking part in the discussion are:

• Lisa Coe, Primary Maths Lead for the Inspiration Trust
• Gwen Tresidder, NCETM Communications Manager.

Episode chapters

• 00:58 - Lisa’s summer reading (novels)
• 02:10 - Lisa’s work as Maths Lead for five primary schools
• 04:08 - How Lisa started reviewing books
• 07:30 - ‘How I wish I’d taught maths’ - Craig Barton
• 09:11 - ‘Visible Maths’ - Peter Mattock (and also 20:40)
• 11:21 - What secondary books can offer primary teachers
• 12:11 - ‘Mathematical Tasks’ - Chris McGrane
• 13:54 - How Lisa finds the time to read
• 16:13 - Cover-to-cover, or dipping in?
• 17:02 - ‘Mathematical methods’ - Jo Morgan
• 18:33 - How reading fits in with other CPD
• 20:46 - Recommendations for new teachers or trainees
• 23:04 - ‘Thinking deeply about primary mathematics’ - Kieran Mackle
• 25:36 - Lisa’s next reads

Useful links

Lisa tweets as @Elsie2110. Her blog is at elsie2110.wordpress.com

Lisa talks about the following books:

A Little Life. Hanya Yanagihara. 2020

How I Wish I Had Taught Maths: Lessons learned from research, conversations with experts, and 12 years of mistakes. Craig Barton. 2018

Visible Maths: Using representations and structure to enhance mathematics teaching in schools. Peter Mattock. 2019

Mathematical Tasks: The Bridge Between Teaching and Learning. Chris McGrane. 2020

A Compendium of Mathematical Methods. Joanne Morgan. 2020

Thinking Deeply about Primary Mathematics. Kieran Mackle. 2020

Also, Kieran Mackle’s podcast: ‎Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Teaching Math With Examples. Michael Pershan. 2021

The Future of Teaching And The Myths That Hold It Back. Guy Claxton. 2021