Multicultural perspectives in mathematics

Multicultural Education & Global Citizenship Unit

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre

The Languages and Multicultural Education Resources Centre (LMERC) is a specialist support centre for schools in the following areas: Languages English as an Additional Language (EAL), Multicultural Education, Studies of Asia, Civics and Citizenship, Human Rights, Global Education, Values and related areas. LMERC library membership is available to Victorian teachers from all school sectors, community language schools and staff and students from tertiary education faculties. To become a member of the LMERC library, visit the library, complete an application form and receive a library borrowers card for immediate use or fill in the online registration form at www.lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au/liberty3 . Nonmetropolitan teachers can complete their application form over the telephone. Resources can be posted to schools in regional areas. LMERC is located at 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton 3053 (03) 9349 1418 and fax (03) 9349 1295 Email:lmerc.library@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: http://lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au/liberty3

Resource list
Ideas for incorporating global perspectives in the mathematics classroom as well as assistance to teachers of students from a non English speaking background. Websites The AEF has launched a new Unit for Foundation Year Mathematics, Counting and Numbers. The resource features counting activities; some linked to cultures and traditional stories of the Asia region, and is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/for_teachers/curriculum_resources/maths/mathematics. html Ethnomathematics digital library: a program of Pacific resources for education and learning http://www.ethnomath.org/search/browseResources.asp?type=subject&id=404 Abacus: the art of calculating with beads http://www.ee.ryerson.ca:8080/~elf/abacus/index.html This is a regularly updated and sophisticated site explaining different ways and traditions of using an abacus to solve equations. The site explains the differences between Japanese, Chinese and Mayan abacus and systems of use. Examples of contemporary use and differences in mathematical processes using Western and Eastern approaches are included.

Interactive digital objects designed to teach the use of the abacus are available from this site. Australian Government, DEEWR, Primary Connections: linking science with literacy Curriculum advice, worksheets, teaching and learning activities for science teaching/learning with contextualised indigenous perspectives. This site is designed primarily for teachers of indigenous students but is useful for non-indigenous students as well, to provide examples of perspectives of Australian indigenousl people as they relate to science. Available as a website and DVD from LMERC. http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections/indigenous.htm Zompist.com: Numbers from 1 to 10 in 5000 languages http://www.zompist.com/scripts.html Shows the script and sounds of numbers from many different languages, and explains the differences in concepts to English. Examples from contemporary and ancient cultures.. Books Bell R, Cornelius M (1988) Board games round the world: a resource book for mathematical investigations, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Detailed explanations of the origins and rules of board games. Illustrated and organised by themes such as: games of position, mancala games, war games etc. plus suggestions for investigations, games and mathematics in aborader context and assessments. Bibliography and further reading included. Burnett J, Irons C (1998) Mathematics of the Americas, Mimosa Publications, Hawthorn An illustrated text for upper primary students showing examples of mathematical problem solving through history. Chapters include mathematics as applied to: building, record keeping (knots) games, counting and calendars. Burnett J, Irons C (1995) Mathematics from many cultures, Mimosa Publications, Hawthorn A series of big books with teachers notes for learning about mathematics through looking at: pattern, art, games, counting etc. from many different countries -contemporary and historical examples. Series aimed at middle years to lower secondary level students. The teachers book provides background historical knowledge or explanations of processes as well as example questions, follow up activities and black line masters. A table of countries and regions with mathematical concepts and operations. Allows teachers to find maths activities with reference to particular countries easily. Cross curriculum suggestions also for inclusion in SOSE, languages and arts included. Heydon A, Thomas J (1986) Number [is not equal] maths, Mathematics curriculum and teaching program, Ministry of Education- Schools division, Victoria Examples of mathematical conventions used in countries around the world and states across Australia. The text is quite old so information may need to be checked for relevancy but otherwise provides interesting and useful (especially for teachers working with students from NESB) examples of the differences in symbols used, setting out and computations of the four basic algorithms in: Arabic speaking countries, Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Italy, Laos, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Kiernan J, Reeves H (2001) Asia counts Primary: numeracy and studies of Asia

Asia themed mathematics units of work including activities and information. Four units covering: Asian countries: geography and weather, transport and communication, customs and culture, playing games. Separate units for various year levels. Each unit outlines themes and relevant maths activities. Kiernan J, Reeves H (2001) Asia counts Secondary: numeracy and studies of Asia Eight units covering: population, distances, maps, time zones, directions (compass), The Silk Road, trading, travel and tourism, board games, Asian sports and voting systems. MacGregor M, Moore R eds. (1991) Teaching mathematics in the multicultural classroom: a resource for teachers and teacher educators, Institute of Education Melbourne. Discusses the importance of language to the teaching of mathematics and specialised approaches for ESL students. Provides clear aims, guidelines, workshops for teacher education courses and activities for the classroom. MacDiarmid GW, (1992) Kathy: a case of innovative mathematics teaching in a multicultural classroom, University of Alaska Fairbanks. A case study in the form of a dialogue, description of a class in action and insights into the thinking and background to thinking of a white teacher involved in teaching mathematics with a new approach (through language, understanding concepts, and encouragement of independent thinking) and the response of an African American parent who articulates the problems she sees to this approach for her child and children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Menninger K (1992) Number words and number symbols: a cultural history of numbers, Dover, MA ..a multifaceted linguistic and historical analysis of how numbers have developed in many different cultures. Owen C (2007) Building blocks, Pearson Education, Melbourne A reader for middle to upper primary level students looking at the use of shapes and their application in buildings in different cultures/countries. Powell A, Frankenstein M eds. (1997) Ethnomathematics: challenging Eurocentrism in mathematics education, State University of New York Press, NY A comprehensive academic exploration of issues within the teaching of mathematics such as the privileging of Anglo-European mathematical knowledge and ignorance of systems of mathematics used by marginalised groups (the poor, women, CALD) and peoples from non European countries. Chapter titles include: On culture, geometrical thinking and mathematics education, Mathematics, culture and authority, World cultures in the mathematics class. Journal articles Matang RA (2000?) Formalising the role of indigenous counting systems in teaching the formal English arithmetic strategies through local vernaculars: an example from Papua new Guinea http://www.merga.net.au/documents/RP562005.pdf A paper discussing the merits of indigenous counting systems and the naming of numbers to reveal through word the compound nature of numbers as well as revealing concepts of addition and subtraction. Judson T (1999) Japan: a different model of mathematics education, Contemporary Issues in Mathematics education, vol. 36, pp75-81, MSRI Publications

Scholarly article surveying the different approaches to mathematics in Japan compared to the United States, including use of technology, curriculum and the timing of introducing subjects. Bishop, A.J. (2002) Critical challenges in researching cultural issues in mathematics education. Intercultural Studies in Education, vol. 23, no.22, August, pp119-131 Picture books Pilegard W, Debon N (2001) The Warlords beads, Pelican Publishing, Gretna, Louisiana A fictional account of the invention of the abacus set in imperial China. A young boy helps his father to count the warlords treasure when the father reveals that he is under suspicion for stealing as he cannot keep count of so many objects. The son devises a way to count using jade beads threaded on to sticks enabling the father and son to record the 100s, tens and units. .A brief history of the abacus is included, as well as a instructions for making your own. Browne E (2002) Handas hen, Walker Books, London. Two little girls in South West Kenya count many different animals on their way to finding Handas hen. Games Conglak/Mancala LMERC holds multiple sets of this traditional game which is played in many parts of the world most notably in Indonesia and parts of Africa. Instructions for playing the game and ideas for use in the mathematics are context are available also. Abacus LMERC has multiple abaci available for loan. Reference is made to the history of its use in many different countries in Mathematics from many cultures described above and this Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus Indigenous number mats Hand made felt 15cm diameter mats with numbers applied for any number of physical games to practice counting. Numbers and counting in languages Games, posters and activities are available at LMERC for teaching numbers and counting in many different languages. The LANGUAGES AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE is a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development specialised library for teachers and pre-service teachers located at: 150 PALMERSTON STREET, CARLTON 3053 W: http://lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au/liberty3 E: lmerc.library@edumail.vic.gov.au Wiki: http://globaleducationresources.wikispaces.com/

Updated April 2012