Features for the future classroom demonstrate the relevance of the concepts students are learning, the ways in which the mathematical concepts will be employed in the classroom, provide perspective on the importance of learning the material, and engage students to learn by doing. NEW! The 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics have been integrated throughout the text. These 8 standards encourage growing mathematical maturity, deepening conceptual understanding, and engaging with the subject matter. Instances where one of the SMP standards is particularly applicable are called out in the margins, helping future teachers to make the connection between the standards they may encounter as teachers, and the content and eventual implementation. NEW! Completely updated Into the Classroom features provide insights from active teachers, providing a window into their classroom via activities, projects, discussions, and ideas to engage children in the mathematics being covered in that particular chapter of the text. NEW! Responding to Students Problems (RTS) throughout the problem sets have been updated. These questions show how children try to use mathematical techniques and illustrate that future teachers will need a thorough understanding of mathematical content in order to answer students' questions. From the NCTM Principles and Standards are extensive excerpts from The Principles and Standards to help students understand how what they are currently learning is reflected in what they will eventually be teaching.

Highlights from History provides a cultural, historical, and personal perspective on the development of mathematical concepts and thought while illustrating the contributions that individuals have made to mathematics. Did You Know? Discussions provide examples of recent advancements in mathematics; often demonstrating the important role the subject has in today's world and in our lives. This feature also highlights mathematical literature when it is relevant to the classroom teacher. The Chapter in Relation to Future Teachers is a brief concluding essay that puts the chapter into context, summarising how the content fits into the bigger picture of teaching. Cooperative investigations are activities that small groups can use to explore and discuss concepts. Strong pedagogical tools help students to understand the concepts and reason mathematically. Chapter Previews prepare students for the upcoming chapter and point out Key Ideas. Examples are often presented in a problem-solving framework, which ask students to independently obtain a solution that can be compared with the solution presented in the text.

Solutions are frequently structured in the Polya four-step format. Think Clouds serve as quick reminders and clarify key points in discussions. Hands On Activities begin each chapter, offering content-related games and puzzles that motivate the chapter. These can be easily adapted for use in the elementary classroom. Cooperative investigations are activities that small groups can use to explore and discuss concepts. There is one Cooperative Investigation per chapter Problem sets end each section and include a wide variety of question types. Understanding Concepts problems provide drill exercises and reinforce basic concepts. Teaching Concepts problems ask prospective teachers to carefully consider how they might clarify subtle and often misunderstood points for their own future students.