A New Vision for Math: Equity and Inclusion through the Michigan Early Math Essentials

Do you have any memorable experiences from your preK-12 math classes? What specifically stands out to you? How did those experiences make you feel? For me, one standout moment was when I memorized my multiplication tables in third grade to go to McDonald’s with my teacher as a reward. My best friend and I planned to pass on the same day to enjoy lunch together. I also recall geometry being quite challenging when I was a freshman. The different shapes and properties were difficult to remember, and I didn’t enjoy it. However, I found Algebra 2 to be enjoyable since I was good at memorizing the rules. Like chess, Algebra is a game where you must “win” by getting the correct answer. I loved that aspect of it.

Historically, students would observe their teacher solving math problems, understand the steps involved, and then attempt to solve the problems independently. They would sit in their seats, facing the front, and take notes or practice the steps quietly on paper. The storylines of students created by these experiences categorized each of them as either “a math person” or “not a math person.”