This set of professional development materials focusing on cognitively guided instruction (CGI) in primary mathematics consists of seven videotapes, a 112-page book of readings with accompanying CD and a 61-page guide for workshop leaders. The videotapes and book of readings provide the support materials for implementing a CGI professional development program as outlined in the workshop guide.

These materials provide the basis for a professional development program in which participants learn about a "structured framework of mathematics and children's thinking and the ways children's thinking evolves" (page vii, workshop guide). The goal is to provide teachers with skills in "assess[ing] children's thinking in mathematics and to use what they know about children's thinking during instruction" (page vii, workshop guide). The audience is workshop leaders and teachers interested in this approach to teaching primary mathematics.

The videotapes provide an introduction to CGI, a description of children's strategies for the four basic operations and multidigit number concepts, and development of how CGI works in classrooms. The print materials are of high quality and have undergone several revisions based on feedback from teachers and workshop leaders. The content provides sound and coherent discussions of how children make sense of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and multidigit number concepts such as place value. The content is presented in ways that make the ideas clear, understandable, and accessible to the reader. The CD that accompanies the book of readings provides images of students working on problems presented in the text. The book includes CD icons to point the reader to corresponding segments on the CD.

The workshop guide is detailed and provides reflections on how workshop leaders can develop sessions to correspond to each chapter of the readings book. Each chapter in the guide provides big ideas, activities which include appropriate videotape components, and assignments. An appendix provides sample workshop agendas. The videotapes are designed to be used during the workshop sessions and are critical for illuminating the ideas presented in the print materials. The videotapes are generally of good quality, though the soundtrack is not always easy to understand.

A central premise of CGI is that all children have strategies that they can use in problem solving. The point of CGI is that teachers need to understand what strategies students are using so instruction can be adapted to help each child build mathematical understanding. As such, the materials support equitable practice and embrace the idea of mathematical power for all students, as envisioned in standards-based mathematics reform. Classroom segments and interviews with individual students reflect a respect for diversity.

Reviewers noted that the type of professional development proposed in this program is long-term and will take several years to successfully implement.

The book of readings and the accompanying CD are available commercially without purchasing the workshop materials. As a stand-alone, the book may serve as an introduction to understanding children's intuitive mathematical thinking and how to use such knowledge so students learn with understanding. One review noted that teachers could profit from reading and re-reading the various chapters over several years. These materials could also be used in mathematics methods courses for pre-service elementary teachers. One review noted that the materials might be appropriate for use in a teacher study group.

Professional development providers should have experience talking and working with children engaged in mathematical problem solving.