Abstract
This paper investigates how the mathematical performance of a group of middle school students might be characterized when the text breaks from tradition and constructs students as members of the mathematical community. Firstly, I will consider how a current Canadian textbook presents The Locker Problem through a depersonalized, formalized style that promotes its authority over the student-reader (Rotman, 2006). Next I will argue that the presentation of the problem through a Problem-of-the-Week (POW) format promotes the author/ity (Povey et al, 1990) of the student- reader over the text. Finally, I will present a classroom episode where a small group of students explore The Locker Problem based on the POW format. While some have argued that one can infer the experience of the student-reader through a text’s choice of words (Herbel-Eisenmann & Wagner, 2007), I suggest that the student-reader’s style of performing mathematics might also be inferred based on the text’s presentation of a problem.
Highlights
My study investigates how the mathematical performance of a group of middle school students might be characterized when the text breaks from tradition and constructs students as members of the mathematical community
I will discuss a classroom episode where a small group of students explore the Locker Problem based on the POW format
Sources This paper focuses on a group of students (Anik, Crystal, Khona and Sandi) who are working on the Locker Problem, and is an excerpt from a larger study exploring the characteristics of group flow (Author, 2005)
Summary
Ask most North Americans about their experiences in school mathematics classes, and chances are that they remember opening the textbook to a certain page and following the directions listed there with lockstep precision. Perhaps for this reason, mathematics has gained a reputation as being a series of rules imposed by an outside source, be it textbook or teacher, with little recognition that student thinking might itself generate mathematics. A “classic” problem that over the years has been adapted for use with students ranging from middle school age to university level, the Locker Problem can be found in many math resources and textbooks in many formats.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
