Doing Mathematics with Purpose: Mathematical Text Types. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dostal, Hannah M.; Robinson, Richard
• Is Part Of: Clearing house. Volume 91:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Disciplinary literacy -- mathematics -- middle school -- high school; Education -- Periodicals; Junior high schools -- Periodicals; Education, Secondary -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 373.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00098655.2017.1357409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-8655

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Mathematical literacy includes learning to read and write different types of mathematical texts as part of purposeful mathematical meaning making. Thus in this article, we describe how learning to read and write mathematical texts (proof text, algorithmic text, algebraic/symbolic text, and visual text) supports the development of students' mathematical literacy. Explicit instruction about how to engage with each text type helps to build students' awareness of the function of mathematical texts and of how to leverage them to support the doing of mathematics. Teachers and leaders can use this discussion of mathematical text types to organize and conceptualize instruction within a disciplinary literacy orientation.