Developing Mathematical Literacy through Adolescent Literature

Paula Greathouse is an associate professor of secondary English Education at Tennessee Tech University where she teaches literacy courses to all content area pre-service teachers. She was a secondary English and Reading teacher for sixteen years. She has received several teaching awards including the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Teacher of Excellence Award. Holly Garrett Anthony is professor of Mathematics Education at Tennessee Tech University where she teaches mathematics content and methods courses for preservice teachers, as well as doctoral courses in STEM education, qualitative research, and program planning. She has received several honors for teaching and service and is a leader in mathematics education.

This book offers some interesting features overall aimed at helping teachers use young adult literature (YAL) to make mathematical concepts both relevant and meaningful to students. Using 11 YAL-appropriate texts, chapter authors provide various practical examples using a common framework—introduction; text summary; instructional activities before, during, and after reading the text; follow-up extension activities; and supportive references…. The lessons are practical and seem to have been tested in the classroom. Though a teacher may choose not to use these particular lessons or texts, the suggested approach provides a model for how teachers can use YAL to motivate students and help them gain mathematical literacy. Greathouse and Anthony provide a good resource worthy of consideration by secondary school mathematics teachers and teachers still in training. Recommended. Graduate students and professionals.

• INTRODUCTIONPaula Greathouse and Holly Garrett AnthonyCHAPTER 1The Mathematics of Imagination: Uncovering Math and Meaning in the Graphic Novel The Magic FishKatherine Baker, Summer Melody Pennell and Bryan FedeCHAPTER 2Take It to The Limit: Maximizing Mathematical Literacy and (Re)solving ConflictHolly Garrett Anthony, Paula Greathouse and Kaylee GentryCHAPTER 3Extracting Mathematical Topics Embedded in Holes and Examining the Text Through a Critical LensMarilyn E. Strutchens, Mike P. Cook and Brea C. RatliffCHAPTER 4 Reading Like a Mathematician: Exploring Data, Narratives, and Phenomena in A Long Walk to WaterSuki Jones Mozenter and Robin Keturah AndersonCHAPTER 5Exploring All of the Above: Platonic Solids, Scale, Proportions, and CharacterizationJennifer R. Meadows and Amber SpearsCHAPTER 6Reasoning with Equations and Functions in The 5th WaveRebecca Grice Gault and Jennifer EdelmanCHAPTER 7“Absolute Zeros Solve for Why” Using the Pythagorean Theorem in Island of the UnknownsBrian Rothbaum and Julie Grasfield WeilCHAPTER 8Exploring Math, Culture, and Stories Through Math GirlsShelly Shaffer and Carlos Castillo-Garsow CHAPTER 9Making a Deal with The Number Devil: Scaffolding, Deepening and Extending Students’ Mathematical LiteracyAmanda Huffman, Rachel Colby, Jenna Repkin and Shelly FurunessCHAPTER 10Matchmaking Mathematics: Teaching Algorithms and Probability with Nandini Bajpai’s A Match Made in MehendiJen McConnel and Allen HarbaughCHAPTER 11Simulating Success Based on Societal Odds: A Mathematical Read of The Hunger GamesRobin Keturah Anderson, Melissa Troudt, Candace Joswick and Lisa Skultety ABOUT THE EDITORS ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS SUBJECT INDEX