Table of Contents

Preface
PART 1
I. Why Teach Math in the Early Years?

• The Predictive Power of Early Mathematics
• Socioeconomic Factors and Equity
• Recent Research on Mathematics Readiness of Young Children
• The What and Why of Spatial Reasoning
• Spatial Reasoning in Our Daily Lives

• A Different Approach to Geometry
• Reflection Symmetry
• Composition and Decomposition of 2D and 3D Figures
• Perspective Taking
• An Emphasis on Playful Pedagogy
• Opportunities and Limitations of Play-Based Learning
• Most Effective Pedagogy: Blending of Play and Instruction Approaches
• Story of a Research Study: Comparing Free Play, Direct Instruction and Guided Play
• The Math for Young Children Research Program
• What Does Playful Pedagogy Look Like in M4YC?
• M4YC Case Studies #1, #2 

• Visualization in Early Years Mathematics
• Mental Rotation in Early Years Mathematics
• Visual-Spatial Working Memory
• Information Processing in Early Years Mathematics
• Spatial Language in Early Years Mathematics
• Gestures in Early Years Mathematics

• How Is the Book Set Up?
• Math and Spatial Reasoning Connections
• Math Language in Focus
• Lesson Structure
  - Key Questions
  - What to Look For, What to Listen For: Ongoing Assessment of Student Learning
  - Supporting Learners
  - Assessing for Reporting
  - Extensions/Variations
  - From Our Research Classrooms
• Implementation
• Where to Begin?
• Ways to Use the Resource Throughout the Year
• Connecting to Other Math Strands and Curriculum Areas
• Observing Student Thinking: JK–Grade 2 Assessment Suggestions
• Assessment Components in the Guided Lessons, Quick Challenge, and Exploratory Tasks
• One-to-One Interview Assessment Task

• Guided Lesson: Let’s Learn About Symmetry
• Symmetry Pattern Block Centre
• Double Pentomino Symmetry Games
• Symmetry on Grids: Integrating Location and Number
• Grid Symmetry Pair Game
• Finding the Symmetry of Pentomino Figures
• Symmetry of the Alphabet Letters
• Mental Symmetry Folding with the Hole Punch
• Symmetry Card Games 

• Guided Lesson: Finding the Magic (Pentomino) Keys
• See It, Build It, Check It (Pattern Blocks)
• Make a Hexagon Card Game
• The Shape Composer
• Can You Draw This?
• See It, Build It, Check It (Tangrams)
• Can You Cover It?
• The Square Mover
• Triangle Creations!

• Guided Lesson: The Cube Challenge—Discovering 3D Congruence
• See It, Build It, Check It! (Cubes)
• Build It in Your Mind
• 2D–3D Building
• Box or Not?
• Cross-Section Challenge (or 3D Puzzle Challenge)
• Building Rules! (3-Layer Version)
• Building Rules! (Extension Version)