“WARNING: Your students may not leave your mathematics classroom when the bell rings if you start using Open Middle tasks." —Sara Vanderwerf
The problems and strategies in Open Middle Math by Robert Kaplinsky gives middle and high school teachers the guidance and materials not only engage students in math class, but get them excited to dig into a problem as if on a quest, and enthusiastically share discoveries with their peers. Matt Larson wrote, "Not only will your students experience mathematics in more authentic ways, but your teaching will be simultaneously energized as your classroom becomes a motivating space where students meet and enjoy the challenge of really doing mathematics.” Find out what else folks are saying about Open Middle Math.
"This book is a very practical guide to implementing a new class of tasks that have the potential to improve student learning!”
“This book is an amazing resource for teachers who are striving to help students develop both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. Open Middle problems provide students with the opportunity to move beyond traditional procedural practice problems to explore mathematical relationships more deeply. In addition, Open Middle problems provide teachers with insights into what students really understand about the procedures they learned and important formative assessment data they can use to modify instruction. This book is a very practical guide to implementing a new class of tasks that have the potential to improve student learning!” —Dr. Margaret (Peg) Smith
"The mathematics education community will simply devour this delicious book.”
“Do you ever wish you could get a glimpse into a designer’s mind for how they implement their innovation? Robert Kaplinsky’s Open Middle Math gives educators an inside look into how Open Middle problems are designed to assist students to engage in, learn from, and persevere in productive struggle. Robert has always been willing to share his learning progress, struggles, and mistakes openly. Through his humility, he encourages readers to remember the joy that comes with productively struggling with a mathematics problem, and that we often learn more from the journey of solving than arriving at a solution. The mathematics education community will simply devour this delicious book.” —Lauren Baucom
“Robert offers teachers strategies for adding openness and richness to problems that are at first closed and meager."
“Robert offers teachers strategies for adding openness and richness to problems that are at first closed and meager. So take heart, teachers! The interest and learning of your students aren’t dictated by the problems in your textbook as you first find them, only by your imagination and design.” —Dan Meyer
"Open Middle Math is a quick read. A must read. A read with the potential for immediate transformation of the quality of discourse in your classroom.”
“WARNING: Your students may not leave your mathematics classroom when the bell rings if you start using Open Middle tasks. In his book, Robert Kaplinsky gives math educators a roadmap to effectively implement Open Middle Math with tips, multiple examples at each secondary level, answers to the ‘what ifs,’ resources, and structures for creating your own tasks. . . . Open Middle Math is a quick read. A must read. A read with the potential for immediate transformation of the quality of discourse in your classroom.” —Sara Vanderwerf
"It helps the reader move pass a goal of just mathematical correctness to mathematical reasoning.”
“Reading Open Middle Math: Problems That Unlock Student Thinking, Grades 6–12 is like having Robert as your thought partner as he strategically talks you through the rationale of, planning for, and implementation of Open Middle problems . . . [It] opened my eyes to the impact on students’ conceptual understanding of secondary mathematics concepts. It helps the reader move pass a goal of just mathematical correctness to mathematical reasoning.” —Jenise Sexton
"In reading and applying Open Middle Math, I feel like I have an experienced coach cheering me on!”
“‘Open Middle’ problems are unique! Robert meets every ‘what if’ a math teacher can muster about implementing these tasks with his helpful, practical, play-by-play style. In reading and applying Open Middle Math, I feel like I have an experienced coach cheering me on!” —Cathy Yenca
"Not only will your students experience mathematics in more authentic ways, but your teaching will be simultaneously energized . . ."
“Based on real classroom experience, Kaplinsky offers honest, practical, and actionable strategies to support you in transforming your classroom through Open Middle problems. Not only will your students experience mathematics in more authentic ways, but your teaching will be simultaneously energized as your classroom becomes a motivating space where students meet and enjoy the challenge of really doing mathematics.” —Matt Larson
“Open Middle Math delves into transformative practices that are grounded around problems that promote creative problem solving."
“Open Middle Math delves into transformative practices that are grounded around problems that promote creative problem solving. Robert Kaplinsky gives teachers a window into artful planning and pedagogy that provide us with the answer to the holy grail of all questions: ‘What do students know and understand now?’” —Alexandra Martinez
"Open Middle Math will provide you with engaging, student-focused tasks, practical implementation strategies, and a wealth of support resources.”
“If you are seeking to challenge your students’ thinking and build their conceptual understanding, Open Middle Math: Problems That Unlock Student Thinking, Grades 6–12 is a must-have resource. Open Middle Math will provide you with engaging, student-focused tasks, practical implementation strategies, and a wealth of support resources.” —Dr. Kristopher J. Childs
"Buckle up and enjoy the ride!”
“I thought I knew everything about Open Middle problems until I read this book. Robert masterfully unpacks the complexity and beauty of these ‘simple’ problems and captures why they play an essential role in students’ math experiences. Hearing his relatable experiences both as a teacher and learner will give you the confidence to hit the ground running. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!” —Daniel Luevanos
About the author
Robert Kaplinsky has worked in education since 2003 as a classroom teacher, teacher specialist for Downey Unified School District, instructor for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and presenter at conferences around the world. He’s also the co-founder of the website OpenMiddle.com.
