Developing Mathematical Literacy through Adolescent Literature

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Giving students opportunities to read like mathematicians as they explore content has the potential to move their thinking and understandings in monumental ways. Each chapter presented in this volume provides readers with approaches and activities for pairing a young adult novel with specific mathematics concepts. Chapters include several instructional activities for before, during, and after reading as well as extension activities that move beyond the text as students continue to develop mathematical literacy.

Reviews

This book offers some interesting features overall aimed at helping teachers use young adult literature (YAL) to make mathematical concepts both relevant and meaningful to students. Using 11 YAL-appropriate texts, chapter authors provide various practical examples using a common frameworkintroduction; text summary; instructional activities before, during, and after reading the text; follow-up extension activities; and supportive references. The lessons are practical and seem to have been tested in the classroom. Though a teacher may choose not to use these particular lessons or texts, the suggested approach provides a model for how teachers can use YAL to motivate students and help them gain mathematical literacy. Greathouse and Anthony provide a good resource worthy of consideration by secondary school mathematics teachers and teachers still in training. Recommended. Graduate students and professionals. * Choice Reviews *
This curated collection of essays reflects best practices for engaging students in learning mathematics while developing literacy skills. The volume provides teachers with resources for enacting units of study in the mathematics classroom, in a humanities course, or through a collaboration among mathematics and literacy instructors. Each chapter is packed with rich mathematics explorations that help students better understand real problems through the lens of young adult literature protagonists. Structured chapters provide activities to prepare students for understanding a text through pre-reading, while-reading, and after-reading tasks, all of which are founded on best practices that emphasize a growth mindset in the learning of mathematics. The young adult literature has been carefully mined for engaging students in a mathematical exploration of the world; from examining water security near and far through the use of scales in mapping, to personal discoveries of ones relationship to mathematics, this collection will not only uncover the power of thinking mathematically, but will also capture students interests and awaken their passion for active participation in our world. -- Roser Gin, Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Lowell
This books use of YA literature is a powerful approach for secondary school mathematics teachers to improve the relevance of the mathematics they teach, connecting both to other subjects and to real world contexts. The common format used across the chapters provides very practical assistance for secondary school mathematics teachers to meaningfully incorporate YA literature into their classroom to build their students mathematical knowledge and connect it to other subjects and to the world in which they live. A strong theme across the chapters of this book is the promotion of both a deep understanding of important mathematical content but also how mathematics can be used by students to read the world to address significant issues in their social content. -- W. Gary Mart, Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professor of Mathematics Education, Auburn University

Author Bio

Paula Greathouse is an associate professor of secondary English Education at Tennessee Tech University where she teaches literacy courses to all content area pre-service teachers. She was a secondary English and Reading teacher for sixteen years. She has received several teaching awards including the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Teacher of Excellence Award.

Holly Garrett Anthony is professor of Mathematics Education at Tennessee Tech University where she teaches mathematics content and methods courses for preservice teachers, as well as doctoral courses in STEM education, qualitative research, and program planning. She has received several honors for teaching and service and is a leader in mathematics education.