Hey there! Today, we’re going to explore something really cool that combines math and social studies. It’s called “Teachers to Teachers Global Math Stories,” and it’s a fantastic way to learn math while discovering different cultures around the world.
This is a special resource created by a middle school math teacher. He wanted to make learning math more fun and fair for everyone. Even though I wasn’t a math teacher myself, I found this tool so interesting that I wished I had it when I was in school!
The program offers printable worksheets that are packed with exciting math problems. But that’s not all! These worksheets also include stories and information about different countries and cultures. For example, you can learn about “The Honey Harvest” in Bangladesh. You’ll get to know about bees and honey while solving math problems related to the story.
This resource is special because it helps students learn math in a way that connects to real-world situations. It also introduces students to new cultures and ideas. So, even if you think you’re not a “math person,” you might find yourself enjoying math through these stories!
The program is designed to be useful for students from various regions and cultures. It allows you to learn about other parts of the world while practicing math. This makes learning more interesting and meaningful.
One challenge is that you can’t sort the resources by grade level or specific math topics. This means you might need to spend some time finding the right worksheet for you. But once you do, it can be a great tool to use again and again.
The program also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which focus on making the world a better place for everyone. By using these resources, you’re not just learning math; you’re also thinking about important global issues like fairness and sustainability.
The best part is that all these resources are completely free! You don’t even need to create an account. Just visit the website and start exploring the math stories. If you’re interested in more educational tools, you can find reviews and other resources on their website.
Thanks for reading, and happy learning!
Math and Culture Collage: Choose a country that you learned about from the “Teachers to Teachers Global Math Stories.” Create a collage that represents both the math concepts and cultural aspects of that country. Use magazines, newspapers, or printouts to find pictures and words that relate to the math story and the culture. Share your collage with your classmates and explain what you learned about the math and culture of that country.
Story Problem Creation: Think of a story from your own life or culture that could be turned into a math problem. Write a short story that includes a math challenge for your classmates to solve. For example, if you have a garden, you could create a story about planting seeds and calculating how many plants will grow. Share your story problem with the class and see how others solve it.
Math Around the World Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt in your home or neighborhood to find examples of math in everyday life. Look for things like patterns, shapes, numbers, or measurements. Take pictures or draw what you find and write a sentence about how it connects to math. Discuss with your family or friends how these examples might be similar or different in other cultures.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hey everyone, it’s Tanner and Chrissy from YouTube. We’re back again as the editors at Common Sense Education, where we discuss educational technology in our weekly series. This week, Chrissy has something to share.
Take it away!
Okay! This week, I’m going to talk about a resource called “Teachers to Teachers Global Math Stories.” First of all, it’s important to note that I wasn’t a math teacher; I was a high school English teacher. As a child, I didn’t enjoy math very much. However, when I discovered this free tool, I thought to myself, “Would I have liked doing this in school?” My answer was yes!
Let me tell you a little bit about it. This initiative was started by a middle school math teacher, which is significant because he understands what teaching math to middle school students is all about. His goal was to make math education more equitable by adding elements that expand its reach and effectiveness. This isn’t just about resources; it’s also about professional development.
Today, I will focus on the actual resources, which can take the form of printable worksheets. They are a non-profit organization with a mission to offer quality math instruction in various places. The resources they provide are examples of what they offer.
The rest of the site is informational and showcases their programs, inviting donations to support them. You can explore different links related to various countries. For example, if we look at Asia, you’ll find different choices.
Let’s check out “The Honey Harvest” from Bangladesh. This resource provides background information about the honey harvest and bees, along with math resources for fifth grade that relate directly to the article. The extension questions often focus on equity or sustainability, applying the concepts explored in the article to broader topics.
What I like most about this is that it provides a wealth of information that can appeal to a wide range of students. For instance, a student who might not consider themselves a math person can explore this topic, gain cultural insights, and engage with authentic math applications related to real-world practices.
The content works from two perspectives, making it relevant for different regions and cultures. It also allows students from other places to learn about those regions, which is a unique approach.
One drawback is that there’s no way to sort resources by grade level or math concept, which can make it challenging to find what you need. However, if you find the right resource, it can be very useful year after year.
This program aligns well with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which focus on equity and sustainability. It’s a great way to make math relevant to those broader concerns, often found in social studies contexts.
And it’s completely free! You don’t even have to log in; you can just access the resources directly. If you want to see that review, I’ll link it in the description so you can check it out. We have tons of other reviews on our website, covering various educational technologies and offering free digital citizenship curriculum as well.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel! We update weekly every Tuesday with new content.
Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you next Tuesday!
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This version removes any informal language, unnecessary filler, and maintains a professional tone while preserving the essential content.
