Culture-Based School Mathematics for Reconciliation and Professional Development

Birch Bark Biting

Video one in the Culture-Based School Mathematics for Reconciliation and Professional Development series, a McDowell Foundation funded project on Indigenous ways of knowing and mathematics.  The storyline goes from students holding real birch bark and concrete birch bark artefacts, to students learning birch bark biting and learning the ideal abstract concepts of right angles, complementary angles, and lines of symmetry. 

Dream Catcher

Video two in the Culture-Based School Mathematics for Reconciliation and Professional Development series, a McDowell Foundation funded project on Indigenous ways of knowing and mathematics. The storyline goes from willow trees to geometric shapes. Sharon Meyer introduces a Grade 6 class to making a dream catcher. Her lesson begins by students recognizing the willow branch Sharon was holding. She goes on to tell them about the medicinal properties of such plants. They are gifts from Mother Earth, according to Nehiyaw (Plains Cree) teachings 

Sharon and Serena

Video three in the Culture-Based School Mathematics for Reconciliation and Professional Development series, a McDowell Foundation funded project on Indigenous ways of knowing and mathematics.  A conversation between Sharon Meyer and Serena Palmer highlights key events and notable insights gained from Serena’s participation in the research project “Culture-Based School Mathematics for Reconciliation and Professional Development.” Personal details animate: the importance of a culture immersion, how to plan an Indigenous culture-based lesson, student engagement, and collaboration within the school and with others outside the school.