A Bridge to the Mind – Engaging Students Mathematically Through Imaginative Education

Pamela Hagen
Curriculum Studies UBC

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     Last modified: March 8, 2007
     Presentation date: 07/19/2007 1:25 PM in Coast Hotel Denman Room
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Abstract
By paying attention to the emotional response of students to learning situations rich opportunities can be provided through which students use their imaginations as a key tool of learning. to help them strive towards excellence in learning. Students adding this often ignored tool or learning become more empowered to strive towards excellence in learning. This is particularly necessary in a subject such as mathematics where for many students mathematics is not a subject of pleasure or choice in learning.

This lesson is an illustration of the introduction of a G4/5 elementary mathematics unit on Shape and Space where students are invited to become characters in the book The Quilt Maker’s Gift by Brumbeau and Marcken). Using literature that embodies the binary opposites of rich and poor, greed and generosity allowed the students the opportunity to become emotionally engaged with both the story and the mathematical content of the regular curriculum.

Through application of the theory of Imaginative Education students can be provided with an opportunity to see mathematics as something that is too valuable and precious to be at fault in itself, but rather something of intrigue, beauty, wonder and fascination that will encourage them to want to become more engaged in the topic that often appears prone to disengagement.