Place-based Math

Centering Indigenous Pedagogies in Mathematics Education: (UBC, 2023, Pro-D)

In this four-part series, scholars and educators examined strategies for integrating Indigenous pedagogies in math education. Led by Dr. Cynthia Nicol, the workshops covered culturally responsive math teaching, place-based learning, and Indigenous Storywork.

Indigenous Math Resources – Indigenous Math Network (UBC, 2023, K-12 resources)

Teaching Resources from the Indigenous Math Network.  Search filter available to search by grade/topic.

MathFirstPeople

Math First Peoples (FNESC, 2020, Elementary & Secondary)

NCCIE Teaching Resource Centre:

“The educational resources you find here are for Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators teaching students and learners of all ages. Here, you will find:
  • Lesson plans developed with an Indigenous perspective for teaching:
    • Indigenous, land-based skills and knowledge
    • Indigenous languages
    • Mainstream K-12 subjects infused with Indigenous knowledge
  • Some lesson plans are adaptable for professional development opportunities
  • Videos that can be used as part of lesson plans or on their own
  • Helpful materials for educators to
    • Evaluate your and your learners’ experiences with a lesson
    • Create your own lesson plans using templates with an Indigenous-based, student-centered approach”

Math Catcher:  Mathematics through Aboriginal Storytelling

  • “For today’s learners: We present the Math Catcher Outreach Program in the classroom to encourage elementary and high school students to recognize how math is used in everyday life and how it forms the basis for many of our daily decisions and life-long choices. We use storytelling, pictures, models and hands-on activities to encourage young people to enjoy math and to help dispel myths that math is boring and abstract. We offer free-of-charge Math Catcher visits to schools across British Columbia. The program also organizes annual math summer camps at SFU’s Burnaby campus and workshops at SFU and at other locations.
  • For today’s educators: The Math Catcher Outreach Program provides you with the opportunity to explore ways to demystify mathematics for your students through storytelling and hands-on activities.
  • Meet Small Number: We engage Aboriginal learners in math and science through the use of First Nations imagery and storytelling. You can experience Small Number’s adventures by watching animated films in the Blackfoot, Cree, English, Halq’emeylem, Heiltsuk, Hul’q’umi’num’, Huu-ay- aht, Nisga’a, Sliammon, and Squamish languages.” (Source:  Math Catcher)

Deborah Sparrow, Musqueam First Nation, “Blanket making as mathematics” (ProD)

Weaving Math :  Project based math unit based within indigenous weaving skills. These place-based lessons were created by the Burnaby Mathematics Inquiry Team, a collaborative team from the Aboriginal Education Department and Secondary Mathematics teachers.  These lessons incorporate cultural knowledge in the new
BC Mathematics Curriculum. (Primary, Intermediate, Middle, Secondary)

Numeracy : Professional Development resource from the Alberta Education Department. “Deepen your understanding of the importance of literacy and numeracy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. …. Find out how a Traditional Games Day creates a context for meaningful numeracy learning. …. See first-hand how two different teachers engage their students in meaningful numeracy experiences through traditional contexts…” (ProD)

University of Regina: K-6 Indigenous Math Content Lessons

Games from the Aboriginal People of North America : Native American games connected with mathematical concepts compiled by contributors to “Math Central”, a project of the University of Regina. ((Primary, Intermediate, Middle School, High School)