This page has been updated to reflect significant updates with the book.
I wrote a book for Stenhouse Publishers that’s coming out this Fall. It’s called Necessary Conditions: Teaching Secondary Math with Academic Safety, Quality Tasks and Effective Facilitation. You can just call it #NecessaryConditions for short.
The trajectory of the book shifted throughout its writing. Honestly, it began as a deep-dive into Problem-Based Learning. Then it morphed into a systems-alignment centric text. Eventually, it focused on what I consider the three pillars of a successful math experience:
- Academic Safety – the social/emotional state of a student and her self-regard as a mathematician,
- Quality Tasks – the thing that students are doing, working on, and/or creating,
- Effective Facilitation – the short- and long-term moves that promote mathematical thinking and sensemaking.
The book explores each of these pillars in isolation and how each interacts with one another. In short, it’s an attempt at positing a math pedagogy.
Throughout the book, you’ll see specific examples of lessons and routines that promote each of the three elements. Subsequent chapters deal with everything from lesson planning to assessment to continuing your learning as a professional.
The appendix is rather hefty with sample lessons, checklists, biographies of mathematicians, suggestions of what to read/watch next, and more. I attempted to make the book as practical as it is substantial.
The coolest part? The great Fawn Nguyen wrote the forward. Fawn is one of the best teachers I know and has devoted her life to making math more accessible, more rigorous, and more fun. And if there’s anything that surpasses her commitment to quality instruction, it’s her relentless commitment to making sure her students believe in themselves as mathematicians.
Here is a link to the pre-ordering page from Stenhouse. Stay tuned for more updates as the publication date approaches.
emergent math 
This is so darn exciting, Geoff. I wish you luck and look forward to hearing about lessons you learn along the way.
Thanks Robert. As someone who I’ve always relied on to clarify my own thinking, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot from me.
You’re all grown up!
That’s debatable, Carlie.
Looks really interesting, Geoff. Can’t wait to read the book!
Geoff, I am truly happy for you. Learning /how/ to write a book was more painful than getting the words on the page. I look forward to picking up a copy!
Thanks John. It’s funny, I just added a placeholder for a section on WYR-style tasks last night. I’ve seen some good ones facilitated that I want to highlight.
Before you add them, please let me know so I can confirm that the images are all CC
Not sure which ones I’ll include. The ones in my notes that the teachers facilitated were all originals.
Let the fun of getting image permissions begin!
We should probably talk…I am working on a new project with Baylor School of Social Work and Waco ISD around social emotional learning. So excited for this book and how you are emphasizing that social emotional is part of, not secondary to, effective classrooms and learning possibilities.
That’d be awesome, Carrie. Shoot me an email and let’s chat: gmkrall@gmail.com.
My Hero!!
so excited for you Geoff..I have always loved Math..and would LOVE to read your book..good luck and God Bless You all the way!!
Beautifully written! Can’t say enough good things about this book! Want to read it again and again! So many details about the beginning of the year set up and how to continue to keep kids engaged and loving Math. Thanks for writing it!