Math Literacy: An Integral Strand While Weaving the Basket of Learning
It wasn't so long ago that teachers were seen as the givers of knowledge who were meant to fill the empty vessel: the student. A great paradigm shift has taken place in education and the goal of the teacher is now known to be to build up the student with the many fabrics (i.e. facets) of learning in the model of weaving a basket. A facet of learning in the Math classroom that must not be overlooked in the regular incorporation of literacy in Math. You may ask yourself, "Did she mean to use the term 'numeracy' since she is referring to a Math classroom?" To that, my answer is an emphatic, "No!" Literacy in the Math classroom starts by making the concepts in Math accessible and meaningful to all of your students through the use of language, text, graphics and questions that put students in a position to ask meaningful questions and access information themselves. Chad Broome is an American middle school teacher who uses YouTube videocasts to showcase how Disciplinary Literacy in Mathematics can be used to encourage literacy in the Math classroom. Broome begins a new concept by showing the class a graphic or piece of text and then poses the questions, "What do you notice and what do you wonder?" By opening up the discussion in a conversational manner, students are encouraged to introduce their own thoughts and ideas based on their own observations and curiosities on the topic at hand. Through this approach Broome encourages neighbouring students to collaborate and identify trends and patterns in data presented and to formulate problem solving strategies based on their own reasoning and collaborative input from their peers. Broome encourages literacy in the classroom and uses it as a key strand in the fabric of higher order thinking that allows students to problem solve and ask important and meaningful questions of themselves and of each other. Students are able of asking and answering the 'big questions' if only we give them the opportunities and encouragement to do so!
You make excellent points here!Literacy is certainly important in a Math classroom. The obvious reason is when it comes to mathematical word problems, but the reasons you discuss above seem far more important. I hear too often that students dislike math, but if we can open up and have meaningful conversations about everything math, students will come to realize how "everyday" math is and that there is more than one way to approach a problem.
ReplyDeleteI think these are all excellent points that really highlight the importance of the ability to communicate across the curriculum. Regardless of subject matter, it is absolutely crucial for students to be comfortable communicating their own ideas as well as understanding and interacting with the ideas of others, be it teachers, peers, or some form of technology or other learning medium.
ReplyDeleteYour comments on Broome's notion of engaging students about what they notice and wonder is also another point I heard recently at a math workshop. You have put an interesting spin on it in focusing on its utility as a vehicle to have students express themselves verbally or in written form.
My biggest take away is the discussion of Broome's example of engaging students in discussion about what they notice and wonder. This is something that I've practiced before through MathTalks with primary kids, although I know they are valuable throughout our learning. I think the powerful part is creating a safe space where students feel free to share HOW they are thinking, not just WHAT.
ReplyDeleteThis out loud discussion of the process can be enlightening to the people around them, and 25 teachers is way better than one.
This is the true literacy education. The ability to express how we are thinking and why. The power is in sharing these ideas.
Thank you for sharing yours.
Literacy is very important, no matter the class it takes place in. Getting students to think and reflect on what they are learning is essential in order for them to develop critical thinking skills and good reasoning abilities.
ReplyDeleteThere's power in this conversational approach to learning. I would say that I've had the opportunity to hold spaces for students after school to "tutor" students in math in a club setting. We called it Nerd Space. Students with all ability levels would come and bring their questions, games or video clips of things they were interested in and we would just geek out. I would naturally guide it to concepts they were learning about, but it created more access points and an environment of learning that the students lead.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Yes! Literacy really does belong in every classroom!
ReplyDeleteI love the open-ended nature of asking "What do you notice and what do you wonder?" It also enables students to learn inquiry skills from one another...which is an essential part of the newly de-streamed grade nine math classes here in Ontario.
This concept of literacy in the Math classroom reminds me of Math Journals. Having students write journal entries about their learning both solidifies the new concepts and provides opportunities to engage in literacy activities in Math class.
Yes, I love that literature is an important aspect when it comes to mathematics as a subject, the obvious application is in understanding and working to solve mathematical word problems, some students make comments about disliking mathematics, but I firmly believe that promoting meaningful conversations about mathematics can change their relationship with the subject.
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