The Context for Learning Mathematics Series
Skip to main content
Search Mobile Navigation

The Context for Learning Mathematics Series

Link to Beads and Shoes, Making Twos
Extending Number Sense

Madeline Chang, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Beads and Shoes, Making Twos: Extending Number Sense is one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the context of walking in line—two lines of children holding hands. The context encourages children to explore doubles while also strengthening their understanding
... more

Paperback

Link to Bunk Beds and Apple Boxes
Early Number Sense

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Bunk Beds and Apple Boxes: Early Number Senseis one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the story of a pajama party—a sleepover during which eight children play, moving up and down bunk beds, teasing the babysitter who imagines she is losing and then gaining children!
 
The
... more

Paperback

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics : 3-level Bundle

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

The new Contexts for Learning Mathematics series by Catherine Fosnot and colleagues from Mathematics in the City and the Freudenthal Institute uses carefully crafted math situations to foster a deep conceptual understanding of essential mathematical ideas, strategies, and models. Building on the ideals of a math workshop, each unit provides a two-week sequence of investigations, minilessons, games, and other contexts for... more

Bundle

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics, Level 1
Investigating Number Sense Grades K-3

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Learn more about the complete Contexts for Learning Mathematics resource at ContextsForLearning.com. Contexts for Learning Mathematics (CFLM) uses rich, authentic contexts provide a backdrop for fostering a positive growth mindset through:

  • the use of mathematical models as thinking tools
  • tenacious problem solving
  • the reading and writing
... more

Bundle

Link to Games for Early Number Sense
A Yearlong Resource

Antonia Cameron, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Games for Early Number Sense is one of three yearlong resource guides in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
Games for Early Number Sense contains 24 games that you can choose from as you consider the needs of your students. The unit includes notes for each game describing the mathematical landscape—the
... more

Paperback

Link to The Double-Decker Bus
Early Addition and Subtraction

Maarten Dolk, Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Nina Liu

The Double Decker Bus: Early Addition and Subtractionis one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the story of a double-decker bus—a bus that has two decks with ten seats on each. Five seats on each deck are red and five seats are white. The bus goes by quickly and the little girl in the story, sitting
... more

Paperback

Link to Measuring for the Art Show
Addition on the Open Number Line

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Measuring for the Art Show: Addition on the Open Number Line and Subtractionis one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
The focus of this unit is the development of the open number line model within the context of measurement. As the unit progresses, the number line is used as a model for double-digit addition strategies.
... more

Paperback

Link to Minilessons for Early Addition and Subtraction
A Yearlong Resource

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Willem Uttenbogaard

 

Minilessons for Early Addition and Subtraction is one of three yearlong resource guides in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
Minilessons for Early Addition and Subtraction is a resource of 78 minilessons that you can choose from throughout the year. In contrast to investigations, which constitute the
... more

Paperback

Link to Organizing and Collecting
The Number System

Nina Liu, Maarten Dolk, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Organizing and Collecting: The Number Systemis one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the story of the Masloppy family—an endearing, large family that finds it difficult to keep track of things. Everyone is forever losing, misplacing, and looking for things. One of the children, Nicholas, decides
... more

Paperback

Link to Trades, Jumps, and Stops
Early Algebra

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Patricia Lent

 

Trades, Jumps, and Stops: Early Algebra is one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
The story The Masloppy Family Goes to New York City sets the stage in this unit for a series of investigations to develop several big ideas and strategies important in the algebra strand. Seven-year-old
... more

Paperback

Link to Ages and Timelines
Subtraction on the Open Number Line

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Ages and Timelines: Subtraction on the Open Number Line is one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the story of Carlos, an eight-year-old boy who is fascinated by his great-grandfather’s thick, beautiful silver hair. His great-grandfather lives in Puerto Rico
... more

Paperback

Link to Groceries, Stamps, and Measuring Strips
Early Multiplication

Frans Van Galen, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Groceries, Stamps, nd Measuring Strips: Early Multiplication is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 
 
The focus of this unit is the introduction and early development of multiplication. By making use of realistic contexts, the unit invites students to find ways to mathematize their lived worlds with
... more

Paperback

Link to Minilessons for Extending Addition and Subtraction
A Yearlong Resource

Willem Uttenbogaard, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Minilessons for Extending Addition and Subtraction is one of three yearlong resource guides in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
Minilessons for Extending Addition and Subtraction can be helpful in grades 2–3 as you work with addition and subtraction beyond the basic facts. These minilessons are
... more

Paperback

Link to The T-Shirt Factory
Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

The T-Shirt Factory: Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction is one of eight units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction (K–3) 
 
This unit begins with the story of Grandma Eudora’s T-Shirt Factory. Grandma Eudora is part of the Masloppy family—a large, endearing family that finds it difficult
... more

Paperback

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics Level 2 Posters

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Building learning around rich, instructionally sound contexts was an overarching goal during the development of the Contexts for Learning Mathematics series. Throughout the series context is used to set the stage for learning. It establishes a terrain that will intrigue children and ignite their imaginations. The contexts are situations children can imagine—either realistic or fictional—that enable them to reflect on
... more

POSTER

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics, Level 2
Investigating Multiplication and Division, Grades 3-5

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Learn more about the complete Contexts for Learning Mathematics resource at ContextsForLearning.com. Contexts for Learning Mathematics (CFLM) uses rich, authentic contexts provide a backdrop for fostering a positive growth mindset through:

  • the use of mathematical models as thinking tools
  • tenacious problem solving
  • the reading and writing
... more

Bundle

Link to Minilessons for Early Multiplication and Division
A Yearlong Resource

Willem Uttenbogaard, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Minilessons for Early Multiplication and Division is one of two yearlong resource guides in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 

 
Minilessons for Early Multiplication and Division is a resource of 75 minilessons that you can choose from throughout the year. In contrast to investigations, which constitute the heart of the math workshop, the
... more

Paperback

Link to Muffles' Truffles
Multiplication and Division with the Array

Antonia Cameron, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Muffle’s Truffles: Multiplication and Division with the Array is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 
 
The focus of this unit is the development of the open array as a model for multiplication and division. This unit uses a series of investigations based on the context of Muffles’ Truffles
... more

Paperback

Link to The Big Dinner
Multiplication with the Ratio Table

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

In The Big Dinner the preparation of a turkey dinner introduces early multiplication strategies and supports automatizing the facts, using the ratio table, and developing the distributive property with large numbers. Strings of problems guide learners toward computational fluency with whole-number multiplication and build automaticity with multiplication facts by focusing on relationships.... more

Paperback

Link to The Teachers' Lounge
Place Value and Division

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Chris Natale

 

The Teachers’ Lounge: Place Value and Division is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 
 
The focus of this unit is division. It begins with the story of a teacher noticing a service person in the teachers’ lounge fill two different vending machines with beverages. In the first machine,
... more

Paperback

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics Level 3 Posters

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Building learning around rich, instructionally sound contexts was an overarching goal during the development of the Contexts for Learning Mathematics series. Throughout the series context is used to set the stage for learning. It establishes a terrain that will intrigue children and ignite their imaginations. The contexts are situations children can imagine—either realistic or fictional—that enable them to reflect on
... more

POSTER

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics, Level 3
Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents, Grades 4-6

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Learn more about the complete Contexts for Learning Mathematics resource at ContextsForLearning.com. Contexts for Learning Mathematics (CFLM) uses rich, authentic contexts provide a backdrop for fostering a positive growth mindset through:

  • the use of mathematical models as thinking tools
  • tenacious problem solving
  • the reading and writing
... more

Bundle

Link to Field Trips and Fund-Raisers
Introducing Fractions

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Field Trips and Fund-Raisers: Introducing Fractions is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 
 
The focus of this unit is the development of fractions. It begins with the story of a class field trip. The class is split into four groups and each group is given submarine sandwiches to share for lunch.
... more

Paperback

Link to Minilessons for Extending Multiplication and Division
A Yearlong Resource

Willem Uttenbogaard, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Minilessons for Extending Multiplication and Division is one of two yearlong resource guides in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 
 
Minilessons for Extending Multiplication and Division can be helpful in grades 4–5 as students work with multiplication and division beyond the basic facts. This guide contains
... more

Paperback

Link to The Box Factory
Extending Multiplication with the Array

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Miki Jensen

 

The Box Factory: Extending Multiplication with the Array is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Multiplication and Division (3–5) 
 
The focus of this unit is the deepening and extending of students’ understanding of multiplication, specifically the associative and commutative properties and their use with computation, systematic
... more

Paperback

Link to The California Frog-Jumping Contest
Algebra

William Jacob, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

The California Frog-Jumping Contest: Algebra is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 
 
This unit uses the context of the famous short story by Mark Twain—The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County—to develop equivalence and its use in solving algebraic problems. The context
... more

Paperback

Link to Best Buys, Ratios, and Rates
Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, William Jacob

 

Best Buys, Ratios, and Rates: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 
 
The focus of this unit is the development of equivalence of fractions, proportional reasoning, and rates. It begins with a comparison of the cost of cat food at two stores: Bob’s
... more

Paperback

Link to Exploring Parks and Playgrounds
Multiplication and Division of Fractions

Catherine Twomey Fosnot, Lynn D. Tarlow

 

Exploring Parks and Playgrounds: Multiplication and Division of Fractions is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 
 
The focus of this unit is the development of students’ understanding of multiplication with rational numbers. The context of parks and playgrounds is used to introduce the
... more

Paperback

Link to Minilessons for Operations with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
A Yearlong Resource

Willem Uttenbogaard, Kara Imm, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

Minilessons for Operations with Fractions is a yearlong resource guide in Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 

 
Minilessons for Operations with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents is a resource of approximately 75 minilessons that you can choose from throughout the year. In contrast to investigations, which constitute the heart of the
... more

Paperback

Link to The Mystery of the Meter
Decimals

William Jacob, John Michael Siegfried, Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

The Mystery of the Meters: Decimals is one of five units in the Contexts for Learning Mathematics’ Investigating Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (4–6) 
 
This unit begins with the story of Zig—who discovers five mysterious dials on the side of his house. The dials are part of the electric meter for his house. At first Zig does not know this and he sets out to investigate
... more

Paperback

Link to Contexts for Learning Mathematics Level 1 Read-Alouds

Catherine Twomey Fosnot

 

Building learning around rich, instructionally sound contexts was an overarching goal during the development of the Contexts for Learning Mathematics series. Throughout the series context is used to set the stage for learning. It establishes a terrain that will intrigue children and ignite their imaginations. The contexts are situations children can imagine—either realistic or fictional—that enable them to reflect on
... more

Bundle