Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 47 Issue 1, December 2009
71 – 72
Literature-Based Teaching Prompting New Mathematical Experiences
Gladys Sterenberg
In her new book, Math Memories You Can Count On, Jo-Anne Lake describes a literature-based approach to teaching mathematics in primary classrooms. She begins by presenting stories of preservice teachers’ experiences with mathematics. Not surprisingly, these memories (as she calls them) demonstrate the correlation between mathematics attitude and achievement. In Chapter Two, she emphasizes the importance of creating “optimal mathematics learning environments” (p 13) through problem solving and communication and claims that using children’s literature helps create inquiry-style instruction. Literature suggestions for developing problem solving and communication skills are offered.
