Why teach Math? John Swartz is ambitious here. Hear him connect the question of why he teaches math with the question of why he exists along with stories of Almanzo Wilder and his own experience. He brings teaching experience as well as specific training in mathematics. He’s worked in curriculum at Christian Light and also served as a minister for many years.
In this episode, John quotes Larry Zimmerman who states that, “Christian teachers motivate their students to learn mathematics in two ways: first mathematics exhibits the glory of God, second mathematics equips students to care for the creation.” This comes from Zimmerman’s book, Truth and the Transcendent. John recognizes the utilitarian value of mathematics but is most interested in exploring the proposal that, “Math is the language of the universe,” and that it is not a neutral subject.
This talk provides a thought-provoking investigation of an underexamined subject that occupies quite a bit of space in all of our schools.
Links
- More recordings from CASBI 2013: https://thedockforlearning.org/series/casbi/casbi-2013/
- This recording was first published as “Why Teach Math?” on The Dock: https://thedockforlearning.org/lecture/why-teach-math/
- More information about Conservative Anabaptist School Board Institute: https://casbi.info/
Books
- When Are We Ever Going to Have to Use This? By Hal Saunders and Jill Marino: https://a.co/d/cBKrSfT
- Mathematics is God Silent? by J. Sire: https://a.co/d/56q16kb
- Truth and the Transcendent by Larry Zimmerman: https://answersingenesis.org/answers/books/truth-transcendent/
- Math Wonders to Inspire Teachers and Students by Alfred Posamentier: https://a.co/d/9v4c442
- Fascinating Fibonaccis: Mystery and Magic in Numbers by Trudi H. Garland: https://a.co/d/c30zp0n
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