Unit Plan Draft

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1obF-QNEHjaaOIIiAeeS4mFPRmuf4NXFO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112020147131374519557&rtpof=true&sd=true

Math Textbooks

 

I find the framework in this article very helpful in understanding how textbooks shape students' relationship with mathematics. The depersonalized language often found in textbooks, such as the lack of first-person pronouns and the use of abstract contexts, risks alienating students from the subject. Students in general already do not enjoy Math, and the textbooks don’t help make it any more enjoyable for them. As a student, I remember feeling disconnected from textbooks in general because of how dry they were. Teachers can play a large role in changing how students perceive and use textbooks. One method I have used in the past was to base the exercises off the textbook but redesign them into more enjoyable and collaborative activities that the students can relate to.

 

As a student, I appreciated opportunities to discuss mathematical ideas with classmates, but I notice now that some textbooks, like TMM, rarely included prompts for collaborative reasoning. The use of inclusive imperatives, like "explain" and "prove," is a positive step in positioning students as thinkers and collaborators. However, the dominance of exclusive imperatives, particularly in the early stages of TMM, risks framing students as passive scribblers rather than active participants.

 

I still believe it can be beneficial to use textbooks, if done so in the right manner. Teachers must recognize the importance of using textbooks as tools to illustrate the processes of mathematics. By integrating more activities, meaningful real-world applications, and contextualized problems, textbooks can help students see mathematics as not only relevant but also fun and central to understanding and navigating their world. It truly all lies in the hands of the teacher. If a teacher is not willing to put in the work to change the perception of textbooks, then it may be better to avoid using them and opt for note-sets and worksheets.

 

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