In his 2010 TEDxNYED talk, “Math Class Needs a Makeover,” Dan Meyer eloquently asks, "What problem have you solved, ever, that was worth solving where you knew all the given information in advance?” Perhaps we can start to answer this question with another question: Are students prepared to solve the litany of real-world problems they will face without a sufficient amount of given information?
Meyer continues by positing, “No problem worth solving is like that. In the real world, you have a surplus of information, and you have to filter it, or you don't have sufficient information and you have to go find some." This, friends, is where we have an opportunity - the opportunity of a lifetime - to build a bridge over the current chasm in mathematics curricula. How will we build that bridge?
Relevance.
Relevancy in the California Mathematics Classroom
Our students are craving moments. Moments that speak to them. Moments that beg them to participate in learning. Lucky for us, we can partner with our students, and our communities at large, to facilitate a California mathematics classroom that weaves the new California Mathematics Framework into the daily lives of each individual student. It all starts by asking students some simple questions:
- What are you curious about?
- What drives you?
- What are two current events that interest you?
Just like that, your California mathematics classroom goes from artificial to authentic, from irrelevant to intriguing, and from expectant to exploratory. Let’s dive into a few practical examples of instructional strategies that create mathematical relevancy.
Applying Relevancy to Your Teaching Strategies in Mathematics
In Geometry, a typical approach to teaching trigonometric ratios is to define the tangent ratio and model some examples. What if we used this lesson to make connections between math and our surrounding environment? Let’s start the lesson by getting out of the classroom and taking students outside to identify three vertical objects (flagpole, press box, trees, etc.) and then estimate the height of each object. Where do we go from here? What if half the class made homemade inclinometers while the other half experimented with mobile apps to identify the angles of elevation or depression from/to the ground and the object. Then, we can formally introduce the tangent ratio, followed by the sine and cosine ratio. By providing context, the mathematics becomes more relatable, and student curiosity is heightened.
When teaching mathematics and data science, students have opportunities to create surveys and to design experiments that cater to their individual interests. In doing so, each student learns how to ask better questions, collect, organize, and analyze data, and interpret their findings during the course. Perhaps more importantly, students learn the value of “failure.” In other words, student interpretations and predictions during these activities often prove to be widely inaccurate. Rather than feeling defeated, many students have more questions, experiencing even more chances to quench their curiosity and make connections to their everyday lives.
Making Connections in California Mathematics Curriculum
I often find that many students share common interests, such as music, sports, climate change, and money. When these commonalities present themselves, I recommend finding ways to weave as many as possible into your instructional practice. For instance, students can begin to investigate the difference in linear, quadratic, and exponential models by completing a gallery walk where a variety of charts and images are displayed on walls. On the walk, provide students with comparative charts for the topics mentioned above, or cater to your students’ interests. This approach allows discourse to begin the lesson. Student discussion takes center stage and reveals student thinking. Any teacher can use this feedback to provide a fluid lesson, one that isn’t constrained to checking off a hierarchy of pedagogical boxes—making math fun.
Personalized problem-solving moments such as those mentioned here do more than provide a unique educational experience. It shows students that they matter. It allows students to see themselves and their cultural identity represented in their studies—a dire need in California mathematics courses. Making math relatable isn’t just a buzz phrase or some fleeting idea.
When relevance takes center stage in mathematics, students can persevere in making sense of and solving real-world problems. In turn, this approach provides an enduring experience, which complements the widely accepted Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs).
Taking Steps to Create a Dynamic and Engaging Mathematics Classroom
Consider this a call to action. As educators, we have the privilege of being on the frontline of student development. To solve global issues at scale, we need more producers, fewer consumers. If we are to play a part in fostering this transition in our students, it will have to start in our individual lessons and the approach we take in our mathematics classrooms. Consider each lesson a blank slate, no matter how many times you’ve taught the lesson.
- What can you change?
- What can you modify?
- How can you pique students’ interest?
- Where can you swap out a rigid example for a dynamic, culturally relevant data set?
With each question comes an infinite number of possibilities, aligned to you, your students, and your California mathematics classroom. So, what are you waiting for?
About the Author
Paul Battaglia has taught high school math for 25 years, is an educational consultant, award-winning textbook author with Big Ideas Learning, and is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences. Paul’s work involves efforts to inject relevance into the classroom so teachers can connect and engage more deeply with all students. For his efforts, Paul has been nominated for the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching.
About California Math & YOU
California Math & YOU is a comprehensive, pedagogically rich K-12 mathematics program that builds a strong conceptual foundation for students through an immersive digital experience. Written by renowned author, Ron Larson, and his expert authorship team, California Math & YOU features engaging and relevant material that sparks students' curiosity and learning, while empowering teachers to successfully meet the needs of all learners. California Math & YOU is built on the California Mathematics Framework and is completely aligned to the California Common Core Standards (CA CCSS).