ERIC Number: EJ942411
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Oct
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0839
EISSN: N/A
Geometry Sleuthing in Literature
Wallace, Faith H.; Evans, Mary Anna; Stein, Megan
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, v17 n3 p154-159 Oct 2011
Storytelling can provide unique teachable moments. Mathematics content found in a good story can be seamlessly woven throughout a lesson. The technical vocabulary used in some stories occurs in a natural way, outside a textbook setting. A great story can also motivate students to actively engage in meaningful mathematics. With a wide range of materials available, from young adult novels to picture books to mainstream literature, students should be able to find many options that speak to their unique interests and reading abilities. When students read mathematics-related text, they are able to visualize ways in which the math plays an important role in the everyday workings of the world. This article presents three examples, each followed by a reading strategy and activity that can be implemented in a middle grades classroom, which emphasize mathematical language and geometry: (1) "Crime Files," a series of short four-minute mysteries for young adults; (2) "The Wright 3," a young adult novel that is part of a larger series connecting math and art; and (3) "Artifacts," a mainstream mystery novel that is part of a larger series of archaeological mysteries. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Adolescent Literature, Picture Books, Reading Strategies, Reading Ability, Geometry, Novels, Story Telling, Middle School Students, Mathematics, Mathematics Teachers, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Education, Teaching Methods
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A