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 | | Rethinking Mathematics by Eric Gutstein, Bob Peterson ISBN-10: 9780942961546 ISBN-10: 0-942961-54-4 ISBN-13: 9780942961546 ISBN-13: 978-0-942961-54-6 Paperback 2005-03 Rethinking Schools Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description In this unique collection, more than 30 articles show how to weave socia l justice issues throughout the mathematics curriculum, as well as how to integr ate mathematics into other curricular areas. Rethinking Mathematics offers teaching offers teaching ideas, lesson plans, a nd reflections by practitioners and mathematicians. This is real-world math--mat h that helps students analyze problems as they gain essential academic skills. This book will deepen students understanding of society and prepare them to b e critical, active participants in a democracy. Blending theory and practice, th is is the only resource of its kind. | ||
Reviews | ||
It depends on what type of course you are teaching... Years ago, when I was in school, we studied the types of Topics presented in this book but it was called Social Science (or Social Studies). These ideas and lesson plans are great, and students should be encouraged to explore issues of social justice. But this is not Mathematics. It is the application of (Middle School) mathematical techniques to explore social conditions. If we teach these lessons as math classes, we are no closer to closing the achievment gap and getting more minority students into science and engineering fields. They will not have the algebraic skills necessary to succeed in Calculus or Differential Equations. Nowhere in this book do I see the Math concepts that I (as a high school math teacher) am required to teach my students in Algebra 2 or PreCalculus. (Solving quadratics, polynomials, conic sections, trigonometry, logarithms, etc.) I challenge anyone to find a multicultural way to approach the concept of dividing polynomials or simplifying rational expressions. This is what the "experts" tell us that high school teachers should do but I have yet to have anyone show me how. The only state standards that are met by the examples in this book are those that encourage critical thinking skills. What about the other 95% of the standards that require us to teach higher level math concepts that can't easily be turned into a "real world" application. Just because a skill (i.e. simplifying a rational expression) may not have a "real world self-discovery application) does not mean that students won't need to know how to simply expressions in Calculus (which does have real-life applications for engineers, and scientists). It's a fine book, but it is a Social Science book, not a Math book. This is why the reviews are so polarized with the mathematics people on one side and the social science people on the other side. | ||
Rethinking Mathematics: A Non-fascist Review Math teachers are partly in charge of motivating students to use math. Math teachers motivate by giving grades, giving out achievable amounts of work for homework trying to establish a positive climate and guide students attempts, but mostly math teachers motivate by making math meaningful in their students' lives. As a student I was really good at math, but found little use for it and eventually stopped taking classes in it. So part of teaching math is teaching students how to use it. Yet math and math problems are not politically neutral. In one problem students are asked to buy 12 candy bars at 43 cents a piece. This problem promotes consumerism and unhealthy eating habits. Another math problem asks to figure out the daily wage of a child working in a WalMart factory if they are earning 43 cents an hour for 14 hours. This books teaches math for social justice and equity, but then that's just a non-fascist perspective. | ||
what comes out of the north end of a south bound cow OMG this is a bad book. I'm sure it gives a lot of warm fuzzies to humanities majors who don't actually have to produce results. However, if you'd like to actually learn a bit about science and math, try: Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences by John Allen Paulos How to Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff Understanding Science: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues by Arthur N. Strahler How to Lie with Maps (2nd Edition) by Mark Monmonier and H. J. de Blij Calculus for Cats by Kenn Amdahl and Jim Loats Algebra Unplugged by Kenn Amdahl Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (you won't learn any more about math (but certainly not any less) than in "Rethinking Mathematics", but at least L. M. Montgomery doesn't lie to the reader about the contents and it's an infinitely better book. | ||
Lovely book if it had some math in it Some people seem to be confused about the difference between math and political indoctrination. Saying this is a book about math is like saying "Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities" is a book about cars. You may have a good reason to read this book, but learning math cannot be it. | ||
Uisng math in Social Science There is a wide divergence in opinion about the use and teaching of math. On one side is the "Applications Only" on the other is 'Academia only". Both have proponents and both need to be addressed, depending on the child being considered. There is a third side which is math as a gateminder or hurdle jumper for the facts of social science. By teaching student to apply themsleves to the math of the facts of the reality of what is being discussed, we keep them focused on what is real and what is just wild talk. This book helps to do that. | ||