Dive Brief:
- In teacher Joel Bezaire’s pre-algebra class, students read “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” which embeds lessons on prime numbers and problem-solving, according to a MindShift article. Teacher Sam Shah started a math book club for his calculus class, in which students read “Flatland,” a story about a world in two-dimensions.
- Bringing literature into pre-algebra or calculus class can help students think about math in a new, creative way. Those who may not see themselves as so-called math students, can end up more engaged with the material.
- Both Bizarre and Shah suggest that teachers pre-read selections in advance, to help better direct lessons with their students.
Dive Insight:
Lessons that tie different subjects together can deepen learning for students. Cross-curriculum courses can also help break down silos in learning — such as having students enrolled in a U.S. History class also read the works of Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass in English.
But bringing math and reading together? That’s not normally considered a match. Nor are STEM subjects and the arts. Yet students in Prince George’s County Public Schools do just that: learn about art and design while also studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as Education Dive reported last year.
A traditional curriculum may separate core subjects, but most of the real world is not set up this way. Architects must tap into math and design skills. Lawyers need both good analytical and writing abilities. Administrators should look for ways to teach students in a way so they’re best prepared for life outside the school walls.
