Mathematics IS literacy. I don't remember if I've said this before, but Mathematics isn't just working with numbers. Mathematics is a language.
It's even got its own symbols (what other languages call an "alphabet") and syntax, which gets just as confusing and confused as any other spoken language. There are specific pronunciations for the symbols, and different branches have different notations (think of them as dialects). Literacy instruction is critical for any student of mathematics to get anywhere in understanding and communicating.
As a teacher, I fully intend to use representation and writing instruction with my students. Mathematics is generally know as or regarded as a process of proof. If students can't prove anything, then I've failed them as a mathematician. I'm going to encourage, and even sometimes require, "English language" transliterations of their mathematics work, which can be considered a simple form of proof. The intent will also help them with their verbal expression of mathematics.
Critical literacy can often be dismissed as unnecessary or extraneous in Mathematics, but it's often a huge area that can be analyzed and exploited for exercises in statistics. "How much does socioeconomic status affect student performance?" is a wonderful question for the budding statistician. Lots of data has been collected, tons of studies have been done, and the question relates to the students' world. When they see and analyze the data, they can speak from the perspective other than themselves, and also from their own perspective, and can speak and discuss the question in terms of themselves and others.
In math, everyone is a language learner. Its important to use visuals, to make obvious some of the less obvious connections, and to use translations into the students main language. There's no reason not to, it's one of the best ways to teach anything, be it history or math or even physics. Without a connection to what they know, there's no learning. Learning IS making connections.
Text selection is also a vital part of mathematics instruction. If the students can't understand what they read in their OWN language, how will they be able to work in another. Catering to every level is important. Make interesting choices available.
In short, literacy is just as important to Mathematics as it is to English or Language arts classes. It's Central, and makes everything else work. Teaching without literacy instruction is bound and destined to fail in an epic fashion.
I liked your comment on critical literacy in math. I was just talking to a colleague about those studies that prove why American kids are lagging behind other countries in reading, etc. He actually showed that if you disaggregated the data in another way (e.g., compared people who made the same income in America as people in other countries) that American teachers did a MUCH better job of educating poor children as compared to teachers in other countries. I think that manipulating statistical claims is a great way to teach critical literacy and I'm glad you're thinking about how to do that. Thanks for your final posting!
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