Delta-K Volume 46 Issue 2

Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association

Volume 46 Issue 2, June 2009

Recently, I’ve been thinking extensively about change. According to the Oxford English Dictionary ( 1989), change can mean to exchange, to bend or to become different. In Alberta, we are in an era of change in mathematics education. What are we exchanging? How are we bending? Will we become different as mathematics teachers? Already we have seen the effect of change as we are asked to engage in a multitude of professional development opportunities.

When considering change, I am reminded of the importance of resiliency. Wang (I 998, 12) describes resiliency as “the capacity to successfully overcome personal vulnerabilities and environmental stressors, to be able to ‘bounce back’ in the face of potential risks, and to maintain well-being.” It is resiliency that gives each of us the ability to respond in generative ways to change. Bernard ( 1995) suggests that schools fostering resilience also allow children to develop the internal assets necessary for resilience, such as problem-solving skills, autonomy, a purposeful, constrictive, and optimistic outlook on the future, and effective communication and relationship skills. Resiliency is linked to problem-solving skills, autonomy and communication skills: a rationale for teaching mathematics in the way suggested by the curriculum changes we encounter.

In this issue of delta-K, change is an underlying theme. Regina Panasuk offers her opinion of how mathematical misconceptions can be rethought. Sandra Pulver presents an interesting way of thinking about fractions, and Daniel Jarvis and Immaculate Namukasa propose ideas of how we can change our focus of mathematics education to one of equity. Olive Chapman, Krista Letts and Lynda MacLellan describe their experiences of embracing change through lesson study, an emerging professional development approach. Craig Loewen provides practical applications of games and problems to be used in the changing mathematics classroom.

I wish you all the best this summer as you reflect on past experiences and look forward with optimism to the changes you will encounter in upcoming months. Enjoy!

Gladys Sterenberg

References
Bernard, B. 1995. Fostering Resilience in Children. ERIC/EECE Digest EDO-PS99, 1-6.
Wang, M. 1998. “Building Educational Resilience.” Phi Delta Kappa Fastbucks 430, 7-61.

Front Matter

Editorial

Gladys Sterenberg

From the President’s Pen

Sharon Gach

4 – 6

MCATA Annual Conference

The Right Angle: Report from Alberta Education

Jennifer Dolecki

8 – 12

Mathematical Misconceptions Diagnosis and Treatment

Regina Panasuk