Ways of Thinking and Mathematical Practices

T he Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) have been widely adopted by states across the country (CCSSI 2010). On one hand, CCSSM consists of a rich set of standards for mathematical content (SMCs), which identify particular mathematical content that students at respective grade levels should know. These standards are characterized as "a balanced combination of procedure and understanding" (CCSSI 2010, p. 8). On the other hand, standards for mathematical practice (SMPs; see fig. 1 ) describe ways in which students should "engage with the subject matter as they grow in mathematical maturity and expertise throughout the elementary, middle and high school years" (CCSSI 2010, p. 8).