Oral Storytelling and Teaching Mathematics : Pedagogical and Multicultural Perspectives

Oral Storytelling and Teaching Mathematics contains two case studies of teachers telling epic oral stories to teach math to elementary and middle school students. The book also includes theoretical discussions of essential elements of oral storytelling, multicultural education, how oral storytelling can help children who have difficulty learning mathematics, and mathematical problem solving. This book significantly extends two pedagogical movements that have recently influenced mathematics teaching: the use of physical manipulatives and visual imagery and the use of children's literature. It takes a giant leap in leaving behind the written word for oral language and integrating serious mathematical explorations with fantasy.