Mathematics as a Tool for Critical Thinking about

Mathematics as a Tool for Critical Thinking about Social Justice Jesse Bergman, Upper Grand DSB jesse. bergman@ugdsb. on. ca Anthony Persaud, Peel DSB anthony. persaud@peelsb. com

Agenda Social Justice – Modifying the Curriculum 1. Grade 4 2. Grade 7 3. Grade 10 Why Do Social Justice? 1. Connections 2. As a Way of … How to Do Social Justice 1. Lessons 2. Organization 3. Implementation 4. Cognitive Dissonance Social Justice Examples 1. Assignments 2. Topics from Lessons 3. Student Feedback Parting Thoughts

Grade Four Curriculum Sample problem: If you wake up at 7: 30 a. m. , and it takes you 10 minutes to eat your breakfast, 5 minutes to brush your teeth, 25 minutes to wash and get dressed, 5 minutes to get your backpack ready, and 20 minutes to get to school, will you be at school by 9: 00 a. m. ? Sample problem: COMPARE your morning schedule to that of a child your age in a different country. DESCRIBE some of the timing differences you might expect.

Grade Seven Curriculum Sample problem: At Andrew’s Deli, cheese is on sale for $11. 50 for one kilogram. How much would it cost to purchase 150 g of cheese? Possibilities: • Income and poverty • Food production – buy local? • Consumerism • Access to goods and services

Grade Ten Academic Curriculum The Triangular Slave Trade can be modeled as a triangle with the following distances: England (E) to Africa (A) United States (U) to England (E) Angle UEA was measured to be 85° 4960 km 6400 km The wealth from slavery helped to make England into a world power. During the trip from Africa to the United States, what is the closest distance that a slave ever got to England?

WHY DO SOCIAL JUSTICE?

Enrichment Critical Thinking Global Issues SOCIAL JUSTICE connections Broaden World View Build Confidence Local Actions Share Ideas

Social Justice in the classroom as a way of … • Not just talking about topics, but as a way of organizing your classroom and encouraging students to discuss with each other • Connecting to broader topics – have a broad world view • Exploring students’ interests – no topic should be avoided , even if it is not directly related to a progressive cause or helping humanity • Relating concepts to mathematics without concern as there is support from administration • Creating critical thinking and global awareness – create a space for students to comfortably and securely talk about their feelings Turn to the person beside you : Why do you want to do Social Justice; and why are you at this presentation?

HOW TO DO SOCIAL JUSTICE

SJ in Lessons Students Want to… Share their opinions Learn new things Teachers Want to… Learn about the world Allow Dynamic conversations Have flexible conversations with their peers Prevent inappropriate comments Prevent domination Connect topics to the math curriculum

Organization of Discussions How would you organize a social justice discussion? a) Seating b) Participation- mandatory or voluntary c) Teacher role d) Voting – how to have quick check-ins to see how the class feels –Jesse uses single-foot-stomp; Tony uses clickers. e) Initiate Discussion – How does it begin? I have a volunteer to say each day, “Mr. Bergman, what does this have to do with social justice? ” We’ll now look at some examples. Keep these structural decisions in mind as you develop what SJ will look like for you.

Implementation

How was math used to influence the way that you think about this problem? Math helped me realise that our world is in way over its head. It helped me to realise that our society is in get need of a change because if we continue on the road that were on with all our pollution use as the next generation and the many more to come well have a problem. When we try to fix everything our past generations have done to increase the changes of more hurricanes and natural disasters. In this math problem it show me that even with the same information you can present it in different ways and there both right. This problem made me think outside of the box because I never thinked this way.

Students ask their own meaningful questions Students discuss possible answers to our questions Students work together to get “The Right Answer” Students solve and get “The Right Answer”

Cognitive Dissonance

“We don’t know how much it might cost to move to Jamaica so don’t complain. ” “$10 000 wouldn’t stop a gang. Gangs have more than that. ” “Sir, we know that isn’t a real article. ”

Students are empowered to fix the problem Students understand the nature of the problem Students understand that there is a problem

SOCIAL JUSTICE EXAMPLES

SJ in Assignments • When asked, students eagerly added their own SJ to their final projects – create and solve a question from your unit. • In groups of 4 – 10, get final projects photocopied package. • Think and reflect in your groups: 1) Do any of these give me an idea for SJ in my class? 2) Could I adapt any summatives in my classes?

Topics from Lessons Handouts of SJ topics 1) Discuss the topics you like. 2) Extend them to ideas for you own class.

Student Feedback Q: Things You'll Remember and Why / If there was one thing you would never want Mr. Bergman to change, what would it be and why: A: Social Justice, because… "Was "Made the interestin class more g to "Really was fun enjoyable. know. " and learned a lot. " ” "Interesting, "I feel it is "It makes class important. " fun. " "Learned interesting. " alot about "Learned "It was a fascinating the world "I found it very about real life application and myself. " interesting and it important for mathematical made math more issues of concepts. " fun for me. " the world. " "Best part of my day. " "It usually connected to the material we learned in the lesson which made it easier for me to connect what we were learning to real life, making what we learned feel more important. "

Parting thoughts Contact Jesse: jesse. bergman@ugdsb. on. ca Contact Tony: anthony. persaud@peelsb. com Website: http: //mrbergman. pbworks. com -> Social Justice Other references: Social Justice Math That Matters – David Stocker Edugains Statistics Canada e. Instruction MCV 4 U Social Justice Portfolio