Math Stories: Math Attitudes of Early Childhood Teachers

• In Event: Roundtable Session 101
  In Roundtable Session: Discoveries From the Classroom: From “I Hate Math” to Stories of English Language Learners

Abstract

“Math was a nightmare”, wrote one early childhood teacher. Early childhood teachers (Birth-3rd grade) are responsible for early mathematics experiences of their charges. What does knowing mathematics as a “nightmare” mean for this teacher and her students? We argue that for this teacher (and, from our work – the 70% of teachers who know math in similar ways) clearly to know is not enough. Math needs to be known in more enriching and generative ways for these teachers. How we might help them reconstruct their knowing of mathematics to positively impact their work with young children is the focus of this investigation.

Authors

• Vicki Ross, Northern Arizona University

• Pamela Jane Powell, Northern Arizona University

• Jennifer L. Prior, Northern Arizona University

• Katherine Becker, Northern Arizona University