Teaching Mathematics in Diverse Classrooms for Grades K-4 emphasizes that effective mathematics teaching promotes understanding which provides a sound basis for skill development, all resulting in better learning retention. In a user-friendly format, presenting language consistent with the language used to teach children, the authors of this resource stress that when mathematical information is connected to what students already know about mathematics, it is easier for them to learn and recall. To that end they present the development of mathematical content based on a small number of easy-to-understand and easy-to-teach “big ideas.”