''The uncommon value of this book is found in the way it treats teaching as an object of study. It engages all teachers in studying and improving teaching. It focuses directly on the details of teaching and on the methods used to interact with students about the content.''-- From the Foreword by James Hiebert, Robert J. Barkley Professor of Education, University of Delaware''Readers will gain insight about how to foster a challenging classroom that propels students toward a deeper understanding of mathematics.''-- Journal for Research in Mathematics EducationNow in its second edition, this essential textbook and professional development resource offers a new foreword by James Hiebert. Drawing on the authors' work over the past decade, two important new chapters focus on the ways in which the book can be used to support the learning of teachers and administrators. Chapter 11 illustrates the various ways in which teacher educators and professional developers might use the materials in the book to aid in the professional growth of teachers, including how to directly improve teachers' instruction practices. Chapter 12 discusses ways in which principals and school leaders can use the book to become better instructional leaders of teachers who are attempting to teach with cognitively demanding tasks.This essential book:* Describes the Mathematical Tasks Framework, a tool that has been proven effective in evaluating instructional decisions, the choice of materials, and learning outcomes.* Provides narrative cases of actual classroom instruction that include Discussion Questions and Teaching Notes.* Includes a link to a downloadable PowerPoint presentation containing an expanded overview of the research for use with teachers, parents, and other interested stakeholders.