How can non-math teachers teach mathematical literacy across the curriculum? Slides from a talk I gave at Sargent Park School on November 7, 2008.

1. Sargent Park School
November 7, 2008
Numeracy Across the
Curriculum or ...
I read the news today. Oh boy!
Darren Kuropatwa
Dept. Head Mathematics
Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute

3. Why should we care about mathematics?

4. Why should we care about mathematics?
job skills, needs of
science and technology

5. Why should we care about mathematics?
job skills, needs of
science and technology
essential understanding to
be a responsible citizen

6. Why should we care about mathematics?
job skills, needs of
science and technology
curiosity
beauty
essential understanding to
play
be a responsible citizen
and transcendence

7. Why should we care about mathematics?
Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision
The Mock Turtle went on. “We had the best of educations . . . Reeling and Writhing, of
course, to begin with, and then the different
branches of Arithmetic—Ambition,
Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.”
“I never heard of Uglification,” Alice ventured
to say. “What is it?”
The Gryphon lifted up both its paws in
surprise. “Never heard of uglifying!” it
exclaimed. “You know what to beautify is, I
suppose?”
“Yes,” said Alice, doubtfully: it means—to—
make—anything—prettier.”
“Well, then,” the Gryphon went on, “if you
don't know what to uglify is, you are a
simpleton.”

9. Why should we care about mathematics?
job skills, needs of
science and technology
curiosity
beauty
essential understanding to
play
be a responsible citizen
and transcendence

10. Why should we care about mathematics?
curiosity
beauty
essential understanding to
play
be a responsible citizen
and transcendence

11. Why should we care
about mathematics?
quot;Statistical thinking will one
day be as necessary for
efficient citizenship as the
ability to read and write.quot;
1866-1946

12. Why should we care
about mathematics?
Did you know that there are
three kinds of statisticians
— those that can count and
those that can't.

13. Why should we care
about mathematics?
50% of marriages end in
divorce. Thus if you don't file
for divorce, your wife will.

14. Why should we care
about mathematics?
curiosity?
beauty?
play?
transcendence?

15. Why should we care about mathematics?
Garrett Lisi: A beautiful new theory of everything

16. Why should we care about mathematics?
E8
has
248 dimensions
Discovered
between
1888
and
1890

17. Why should we care about mathematics?
Look at some of Chris Jordan’s work ...
is it beauty, play, transcendence, or is he just
Running the Numbers ...
2.3 million folded prison uniforms
=
number of Americans incarcerated in 2005

18. Depicts one hundred million toothpicks, equal to the number
of trees cut in the U.S. yearly to make the paper for junk mail.

19. Depicts 32,000 Barbies, equal to the number of elective breast
augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006.

20. Partial zoom

21. Detail at actual print size

22. Depicts 106,000 aluminum cans,
the number used in the US every thirty seconds.

23. Partial zoom

24. Detail at actual print size

25. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(1) mathematics = computation

26. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(1) mathematics = computation
pattern recognition

27. a little magic ...

28. Year were you born
a little magic ...

29. Year of a significant event in your life
a little magic ...

30. Your age
a little magic ...

31. Years that have passed since the significant event
a little magic ...

32. Year were you born
Year of a significant event in your life
Your age
Years that have passed since the significant event
a little magic ...

33. Year were you born
+ Year of a significant event in your life
Your age
+
Years that have passed since the significant event
a little magic ...

34. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(2) it’s strictly hierarchical

35. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(2) it’s strictly hierarchical learning is networked

36. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(3) no place for storytelling

37. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(3) no place for storytelling
contextualizes learning

38. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(4) exclusivity: few people can understand math

39. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
5 misconceptions about math
(4) exclusivity: few people can understand math
accessible
to everyone

40. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
(5) it’s a numbing discipline, lacking lustre or beauty

41. Why don’t students do better in mathematics?
(5) it’s a numbing discipline, lacking lustre or beauty

42. literacy?

43. Clarence Fisher, Globally Literate
K12 Online Conference
Literacy is always changing ... with your location
geographically and in time. All definitions have
consistently had three components:
(1) Literacy = Comprehension
(2) Literacy = Production
(3) Literacy = Interactive
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=50

44. Literacy:
(noun) the
ability to read
and write.

45. David Warlick
Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century
“If all your kids learn to do is read and write,
they won't be literate.”
Is All Information Knowledge?
literacy:
skills involved in using information to accomplish goals

46. Types of literacy
• text literacy (what's text?)
• information literacy
• technological literacy
• media literacy
• internet literacy (hypertext, validity of sources, reading
links, site ownership)
• visual literacy (Photographs, cartoons, line drawings,
diagrams, concept maps, ...)
• mathematical literacy
• and more ...

47. Types of literacy

48. The ability to encode and decode information
Literacy

49. The Language of Mathematics
Cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I
was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan
mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy. It dn'seot mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in
a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and
lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl
mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Source: http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/cambridge.asp

50. The Language of Mathematics
Miittluvraae asilyans sattes an idtenossiy ctuoonr epilsle
is the itternoiecsn of a panle pleralal to the xl-yapne
and the sruacfe of a btiiarave nmarol dbttiisruein.

51. The Language of Mathematics
Miittluvraae asilyans sattes an idtenossiy ctuoonr epilsle
is the itternoiecsn of a panle pleralal to the xl-yapne
and the sruacfe of a btiiarave nmarol dbttiisruein.
Multivariate analysis states an isodensity contour ellipse
is the intersection of a plane parallel to the xy-plane
and the surface of a bivariate normal distribution.

52. Is numeracy a problem?

53. Does numeracy matter?
1997

54. Does Numeracy matter?
• Unemployment/low employment tied to poor numeracy rather than literacy
• poor numeracy + poor literacy = manual occupations.
• followed closely, not [by those] with poor literacy + competent numeracy, but [by
those] with competent literacy + poor numeracy
• People without numeracy skills suffered worse disadvantage in employment than
those with poor literacy skills alone. (--> school, jobs)
• One feature of the modern labour market is the relentless decline in unskilled and
partly skilled occupations. Our case studies showed that people with poor
numeracy were in exactly these kinds of jobs.
Source: (Basic Skills Agency, UK 1997)

55. International Adult
Literacy and Skills Survey
2003
Bermuda United States
Italy Switzerland
Norway

56. International Adult
Literacy and Skills Survey
2003
Bermuda United States
Italy Switzerland
Norway
Surgeon General’s Warning:
79.48% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

57. International Adult
Literacy and Skills Survey
• literacy and numeracy skills contribute to individuals’ economic and social
well-being.
• 48% of adult Canadians aged 16 and over– perform below Level 3 on the
literacy scales
• 55% of adult Canadians aged 16 and over– perform below Level 3 on the
numeracy scales
• little change in Canadian literacy performance between 1994 and 2003.
• Proficiency of Canadians, aged 16 to 65, in literacy, numeracy and problem
solving is clearly [positively] linked to their labour market outcomes.
• the evidence suggests that health issues and literacy issues intersect.
• The hidden problem
Source: (Statistics Canada, 2003)

58. International Adult
Literacy and Skills Survey
• literacy and numeracy skills contribute to individuals’ economic and social
well-being.
• 48% of adult Canadians aged 16 and over– perform below Level 3 on the
literacy scales
• 55% of adult Canadians aged 16 and over– perform below Level 3 on the
numeracy scales
• little change in Canadian literacy performance between 1994 and 2003.
• Proficiency of Canadians, aged 16 to 65, in literacy, numeracy and problem
solving is clearly [positively] linked to their labour market outcomes.
• the evidence suggests that health issues and literacy issues intersect.
• The hidden problem
Source: (Statistics Canada, 2003)

60. i luv math

70. Two visions of
learning

71. The Classic View and
The Official Theory
learning is: learning is:
• continual • occasional
• effortless • hard work
• inconspicuous • obvious
• boundless • limited
• unpremeditated • intentional
• independent of rewards • depends on rewards
and punishment and punishment
• based on self-image • based on effort
• vicarious • individualistic
• never forgotten • easily forgotten
• inhibited by testing • assured by testing
• a social activity • an intellectual activity
• growth • memorization

72. I’m Matheus.

73. hi

74. We learn from
the company
we keep
hi

75. What am I learning
keeping this company?

76. What am I learning
keeping this company?

77. What am I learning
keeping this company?

78. What am I learning
keeping this company?

79. What am I learning
keeping this company?

80. What am I learning
keeping this company?

81. What am I learning here?

83. Coffee anyone?

84. Ahhh …

85. Is numeracy a problem?

86. Is innumeracy a problem?

88. Gee Dubbya: Just how many are there in a Brazilian?

89. Kathy Cassidy’s Class

90. A Dollar A Second …

91. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec
=16666.66 min
60sec
!

92. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec
=16666.66 min
60sec
16666.66min
= 277.77hrs
60min
!
!

93. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec
=16666.66 min
60sec
16666.66min
= 277.77hrs
60min
!
277.77hrs
=11.57days
! 24hrs
!

94. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec 1000000000sec
=16666.66 min =16666666.66 min
60sec 60sec
16666.66min
= 277.77hrs
60min
! !
277.77hrs
=11.57days
! 24hrs
!

95. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec 1000000000sec
=16666.66 min =16666666.66 min
60sec 60sec
16666.66min 16666666.66min
= 277.77hrs = 277777.77hrs
60min 60 min
! !
277.77hrs
=11.57days
! 24hrs !
!

96. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec 1000000000sec
=16666.66 min =16666666.66 min
60sec 60sec
16666.66min 16666666.66min
= 277.77hrs = 277777.77hrs
60min 60 min
! !
277.77hrs 277777.77hrs
=11.57days =11574.07days
! 24hrs ! 24hrs
! !

97. A Dollar A Second …
1000000sec 1000000000sec
=16666.66 min =16666666.66 min
60sec 60sec
16666.66min 16666666.66min
= 277.77hrs = 277777.77hrs
60min 60 min
! !
277.77hrs 277777.77hrs
=11.57days =11574.07days
! 24hrs ! 24hrs
11574.07days
= 31.71years
! ! 365days

98. The Mega Penny Project

99. Gambling bites into family funds
VICTORIANS are using housekeeping money to
finance an $89 million a week gambling habit …
The Herald Sun, Saturday, February 3, 1996, p.5

100. Beware the pushy fish-eater
MEN who eat a lot of fish are driven by ambition and
the desire for success, British researchers claim.
Seven in 10 men who frequently eat
canned tuna. sardines, salmon, mackerel
or kippers admit to being ambitious, and
one in two rate themselves as more
successful than others.
The study, commissioned by John West
Foods, reveals they are also thin-skinned
types, with only 5 per cent of regular
fish-eaters saying they coped well with criticism
compared with a quarter of the non-fish eaters.
Source: The Mercury, 7 May, 1991.

101. Source: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/resdocs/

102. How is numeracy addressed in the
BC Grades 8 to 12 mathematics curriculum?

103. An unusual incident …

107. Lotteries
Definition: a self imposed tax on
the innumerate.

108. Literacy in Math Class

109. Your Take Away Wiki
http://numeracy.wikispaces.com

110. thanks

111. Photo Credits
015: Estranged Flat Stanley's meeting with Brazilian Soccer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcouch/2199404769/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/beija-flor/14514351/
OED HELLS ANGELS 69
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanloar/196903781/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/darknetportal/882839048/
MINDHUNTERS Dundu Dole - Urban African Ballet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darknetportal/1204775147/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/marjorie/534451789/
IKBLC Group Study1
snowed in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ubclibrary/2701350667/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/broterham/106790226/
Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra
H. G. Wells
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:H_G_Wells_pre_1922.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadworks/420309711/
wellsberkley380 final exam
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlevar/2725958615/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcjohn/74907741/
Natural Fractal Mosaic
i love maths http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkuropatwa/2912488625/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariffjrs/1133398577/
E8_graph
Fill in the blank http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjheiselman/2200566670/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdm/51747860/
Running the Numbers by chris jordan
And be true, what to do
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjheiselman/2200566670/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beija-flor/2120674286/
Microsoft Company Picnic Division Champs! One Of These Buttons Will Get Me Out Of Here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendyn/30762480/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/431036565/

112. ht
Empty coffee cup
Photo Credits (continued ...) http://flickr.com/photos/urbanmkr/354843867/
watching and waiting (365.339) math
http://www.flickr.com/photos/splityarn/3003081525/ http://flickr.com/photos/akash_k/125489887/
portrait 8 Hierarchical church leadership
http://www.flickr.com/photos/minivanmafia/188108984/ http://flickr.com/photos/theabbott/870309562/
Hm... Rapt with the storyteller
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexmuse/248817067/ http://flickr.com/photos/heandfi/2479240973/
«?», Robert Stadler!s question mark Odd man out
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogil/1507585665/ http://flickr.com/photos/lisanorwood/1046416640
Chris learning to drive Blue
http://flickr.com/photos/willismonroe/129132936/ http://flickr.com/photos/lisanorwood/1045562729
Max: Learning how to drive Magic
http://flickr.com/photos/moz/6682734/ http://flickr.com/photos/bohman/174718774/
Ginger Learns to drive a Deere
http://flickr.com/photos/donkeylady/134536173/ Video Credits
Canadian 1 Dollar Bills Math Infomercial
http://flickr.com/photos/dmuth/1315588078/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t629YHtPDo8
one penny Math
http://flickr.com/photos/aderowbotham/55733411/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du4idjyMyng
Fish heads, fish heads, lovely, tasty fish head probability 0.0000001 %
http://flickr.com/photos/raincitystudios/154277314/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2L-25xncbo
Lattetude Coffee Square one Billion is big
http://flickr.com/photos/umairmohsin/304109861/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOYf_1I4VBQ