I have always liked the idea of finding ways to turn Math classes into an opportunity to discuss important issues that interest the students. How do we do this in every lesson? I am not sure, I don't even know if it is possible. But I do know that when there is a chance to have students share their personal experiences or share about a topic that interests them and somehow still have them learn about math, then we should take that chance and never let it go!
As we read The 5 Practices, I realized that the fifth practice -connection- can be directly linked to discussions that interest the students and has meaning and value for them. The other day in class we saw a Math activity where students needed to compute and compare minimum wages at different locations which are culturally relevant to students. Students were able to do the math and they can discuss the Math and the social aspect of it as well. Activities that focus on 'real-world' problems that use actual 'real-world' scenarios are great motivators and generators of discussion within the students. Being able to connect the learning goal of the lesson to some topic in the students' lives can increase their engagement in the discussion afterward and also through the process of responding to the problem.
Also, the third practice -selecting- is a key step into the process of having more discussions and student talk in Mathematics. It is during this practice that the teacher should focus on choosing and planning for meaningful and valuable activities that are culturally relevant in the students' lives but also relevant in the classroom work.
Below is a link to a TedTalk given by Dr. Shelly M. Jones that discusses how culture and culturally relevant pedagogy is present in Mathematics (click on the image). The video is about 14:30 minutes long but it has such valuable information that can be extended to other subjects. I invite you all to see this and maybe... we can have a discussion about it in class?
