Pascal's Library: The History And Creativity Of Math

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

We are obsessed with math literacy - the ability to use, speak and read about mathematics. My 11th grade math students have a lot of anxiety about math and associate it with failure. They may learn the math procedures but haven't learned the history and creativity that brought it about.

Many of our students herald from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Burma and Puerto Rico.

According to InfoWorks, our school has a large percentage of English language learners (25% compared to 6% average in RI). The school is in the heart of an urban area in RI. Our kids are hard workers and hungry learners. Many partner with local colleges and organizations to build Android apps, repair bikes, practice urban dance, compete in chess, advocate against human trafficking, compete in athletics and present senior theses. A few students can be seen teaching themselves calculus and physics. Despite a genuine desire to learn, our kids struggle. Our high school hosts roughly 700 students. 74% identify as Hispanic and over 77% officially are eligible for free or reduced lunch (though this number may be higher). Our kids are struggling in math and reading. Only 3% of 11th graders were proficient in math and 38% for reading. Only 57% reach college level readiness according to the SAT.

My Project

"Mister, I want to learn calculus. Do you have a textbook I can look at?" This was a quote I heard just last year from an Algebra 2 student. Unfortunately, our school did not have a calculus book for him to use. The book list is inspired by University of Cambridge math faculty. The donated books about math history, theory and mathematicians will prepare and inspire my 11th graders who are pursuing majors/careers related to math. Also, the books will change all my students' lives because it will demystify math and add a different spin to the subject they've never seen. If given the opportunity, our class will have a year long reading competition with these books. Students will have time in and out of class to read these donated books on a weekly basis. By reading books specifically about math, they will develop the following skills: -Reading comprehension -Understand why concepts work -Independent learning The donated books will prepare students for college math and inspire them.

ALL children need to know how to read well, understand numeracy and learn on their own.

These donated books will give my 11th graders a unique ability to explore the history and life of the imaginative field of mathematics. Also, the students will have built in class time to read these books throughout the week. It will allow them to practice literacy and alleviate any anxiety they have about math. The reading time with these books will provide an experience as to what college math is like.