Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12

Instructional Practices and Lessons That Spark Student Thinking
Chadd McGlone
Hilary R. Tanck
Hanna Haydar
Corwin Mathematics Series
Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12
April 2027 | 208 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9798348929060
Available from April 2027

Description

Open your students’ eyes and spark their thinking with the mathematics of the world.

Too often, students experience mathematics as a collection of procedures to memorize rather than a meaningful way to understand the world. Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12 offers a practical means of sparking student thinking and helping them see mathematics as relevant and significant. It describes rigorous, research-based instructional practices while also leveraging authentic stories from communities around the globe as the foundation of standards-based model lessons across mathematical topics and grade levels.

With contributions from some of today’s leading math education minds, including Jennifer Bay-Williams, Peter Liljedahl, Nicki Newton, Sara Delano Moore, Linda Gojak, Kevin Dykema, Arthur B. Powell, Sue Looney, and others, each chapter dives into a single high-impact instructional practice, then pairs it with a culturally rooted Global Math Story. Story-inspired grade-leveled lessons then follow—each centered on that singular pedagogical focus—offering educators practical implementation opportunities to bring stories to life for students through deep mathematical learning.

Before students encounter formulas, equations, and procedures, they engage with real people, places, and challenges that reveal why mathematics matters. From understanding fractions operations through stories of the markets of São Paulo, Brazil, to representing data by investigating zebra migration in the Serengeti, students discover mathematics as a tool for understanding complex issues, honoring cultural knowledge, and making sense of their world.

This book includes:

  • A chapter-by-chapter framework for implementing student-centered instructional strategies such as using multiple representations, building conceptual understanding, facilitating collaborative groups, and making mathematical thinking visible through discourse
  • Contributions from leading mathematics educators with international teaching and learning experience
  • Ready-to-use lessons that integrate authentic global stories with research-based teaching practices
  • A companion website with a complete library of lesson slides, teacher notes, and standards alignment for every lesson

Secondary mathematics educators will gain practical tools to deepen engagement, expand student perspectives about the world, and create classrooms where every learner sees mathematical thinking as relevant, accessible, and worthwhile.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Part One: The Framework

  • Introduction: Mathematics has Always Lived in Stories Global Math Story: The Shepherd’s Leap
  • Chapter 1: Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, and Pillars
  • Chapter 2: Mathematical Moments

Part Two: Teaching Moves

  • Chapter 3: Designing Rich Mathematical Tasks
  • Chapter 4: Building Mathematical Communities and Engagement
  • Chapter 5: Using Multiple Representations
  • Chapter 6: Building Conceptual Understanding
  • Chapter 7: Creating and Maintaining Flow
  • Chapter 8: Supporting Students Talking
  • Chapter 9: Facilitating Collaborative Groups
  • Chapter 10: Supporting Productive Struggle
  • Chapter 11: Making Students’ Mathematical Thinking Visible
  • Chapter 12: Teaching Mathematics Across Disciplines

Part Three: Crafting Your Own Stories

  • Chapter 13: Creating Your Own Classroom Stories
  • Conclusion

Description

Open your students’ eyes and spark their thinking with the mathematics of the world.

Too often, students experience mathematics as a collection of procedures to memorize rather than a meaningful way to understand the world. Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12 offers a practical means of sparking student thinking and helping them see mathematics as relevant and significant. It describes rigorous, research-based instructional practices while also leveraging authentic stories from communities around the globe as the foundation of standards-based model lessons across mathematical topics and grade levels.

With contributions from some of today’s leading math education minds, including Jennifer Bay-Williams, Peter Liljedahl, Nicki Newton, Sara Delano Moore, Linda Gojak, Kevin Dykema, Arthur B. Powell, Sue Looney, and others, each chapter dives into a single high-impact instructional practice, then pairs it with a culturally rooted Global Math Story. Story-inspired grade-leveled lessons then follow—each centered on that singular pedagogical focus—offering educators practical implementation opportunities to bring stories to life for students through deep mathematical learning.

Before students encounter formulas, equations, and procedures, they engage with real people, places, and challenges that reveal why mathematics matters. From understanding fractions operations through stories of the markets of São Paulo, Brazil, to representing data by investigating zebra migration in the Serengeti, students discover mathematics as a tool for understanding complex issues, honoring cultural knowledge, and making sense of their world.

This book includes:

  • A chapter-by-chapter framework for implementing student-centered instructional strategies such as using multiple representations, building conceptual understanding, facilitating collaborative groups, and making mathematical thinking visible through discourse
  • Contributions from leading mathematics educators with international teaching and learning experience
  • Ready-to-use lessons that integrate authentic global stories with research-based teaching practices
  • A companion website with a complete library of lesson slides, teacher notes, and standards alignment for every lesson

Secondary mathematics educators will gain practical tools to deepen engagement, expand student perspectives about the world, and create classrooms where every learner sees mathematical thinking as relevant, accessible, and worthwhile.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Part One: The Framework

  • Introduction: Mathematics has Always Lived in Stories Global Math Story: The Shepherd’s Leap
  • Chapter 1: Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, and Pillars
  • Chapter 2: Mathematical Moments

Part Two: Teaching Moves

  • Chapter 3: Designing Rich Mathematical Tasks
  • Chapter 4: Building Mathematical Communities and Engagement
  • Chapter 5: Using Multiple Representations
  • Chapter 6: Building Conceptual Understanding
  • Chapter 7: Creating and Maintaining Flow
  • Chapter 8: Supporting Students Talking
  • Chapter 9: Facilitating Collaborative Groups
  • Chapter 10: Supporting Productive Struggle
  • Chapter 11: Making Students’ Mathematical Thinking Visible
  • Chapter 12: Teaching Mathematics Across Disciplines

Part Three: Crafting Your Own Stories

  • Chapter 13: Creating Your Own Classroom Stories
  • Conclusion
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Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12

Instructional Practices and Lessons That Spark Student Thinking

Chadd McGlone , Hilary R. Tanck , Hanna Haydar
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April 2027 | 208 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Lifetime 30/09/2026 9798348929060 $36.00

Open your students’ eyes and spark their thinking with the mathematics of the world.

Too often, students experience mathematics as a collection of procedures to memorize rather than a meaningful way to understand the world. Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories, Grades 6–12 offers a practical means of sparking student thinking and helping them see mathematics as relevant and significant. It describes rigorous, research-based instructional practices while also leveraging authentic stories from communities around the globe as the foundation of standards-based model lessons across mathematical topics and grade levels.

With contributions from some of today’s leading math education minds, including Jennifer Bay-Williams, Peter Liljedahl, Nicki Newton, Sara Delano Moore, Linda Gojak, Kevin Dykema, Arthur B. Powell, Sue Looney, and others, each chapter dives into a single high-impact instructional practice, then pairs it with a culturally rooted Global Math Story. Story-inspired grade-leveled lessons then follow—each centered on that singular pedagogical focus—offering educators practical implementation opportunities to bring stories to life for students through deep mathematical learning.

Before students encounter formulas, equations, and procedures, they engage with real people, places, and challenges that reveal why mathematics matters. From understanding fractions operations through stories of the markets of São Paulo, Brazil, to representing data by investigating zebra migration in the Serengeti, students discover mathematics as a tool for understanding complex issues, honoring cultural knowledge, and making sense of their world.

This book includes:

  • A chapter-by-chapter framework for implementing student-centered instructional strategies such as using multiple representations, building conceptual understanding, facilitating collaborative groups, and making mathematical thinking visible through discourse
  • Contributions from leading mathematics educators with international teaching and learning experience
  • Ready-to-use lessons that integrate authentic global stories with research-based teaching practices
  • A companion website with a complete library of lesson slides, teacher notes, and standards alignment for every lesson

Secondary mathematics educators will gain practical tools to deepen engagement, expand student perspectives about the world, and create classrooms where every learner sees mathematical thinking as relevant, accessible, and worthwhile.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • CHAPTER 6: BUILDING CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING
  • PATHSHALA: A JOURNEY THROUGH AN ANCIENT CITY
  • CHAPTER 7: CREATING AND MAINTAINING FLOW
  • CHAPTER 11: MAKING STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICAL THINKING VISIBLE
  • CHAPTER 10: SUPPORTING PRODUCTIVE STRUGGLE
  • CHAPTER 5: USING MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS
  • THE GREATEST GRID
  • CHAPTER 12: TEACHING MATHEMATICS ACROSS DISCIPLINES
  • Writing Your Own Global Math Story
  • PAINTING A PLANT
  • CHAPTER 1: BUILDING LESSONS WITH MIRRORS, WINDOWS, SLIDING GLASS DOORS, AND PILLARS
  • CHAPTER 9: FACILITATING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
  • CHAPTER 13: WRITING YOUR OWN GLOBAL MATH STORY
  • WHAT IS CURLING?
  • A TURTLE’S PACE
  • CHAPTER 4: BUILDING MATHEMATICAL COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT
  • THE SHEPHERD’S LEAP
  • THIS ONE WILL GET YOUR GOAT
  • Part One: The Framework
  • Introduction: Mathematics has Always Lived in Stories Global Math Story: The Shepherd’s Leap
  • Chapter 1: Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, and Pillars
  • Chapter 2: Mathematical Moments
  • Part Two: Teaching Moves
  • Chapter 3: Designing Rich Mathematical Tasks
  • Chapter 4: Building Mathematical Communities and Engagement
  • Chapter 5: Using Multiple Representations
  • Chapter 6: Building Conceptual Understanding
  • Chapter 7: Creating and Maintaining Flow
  • Chapter 8: Supporting Students Talking
  • Chapter 9: Facilitating Collaborative Groups
  • Chapter 10: Supporting Productive Struggle
  • Chapter 11: Making Students’ Mathematical Thinking Visible
  • Chapter 12: Teaching Mathematics Across Disciplines
  • Part Three: Crafting Your Own Stories
  • Chapter 13: Creating Your Own Classroom Stories
  • Conclusion

Recent Product Reviews:

"Teaching Mathematics Through Global Stories 6-12 presents an actionable framework of mirrors, windows, sliding glass doors, and pillars that helps students recognize, enter, and ultimately transfer mathematical ideas across contexts. Its global stories generate genuinely compelling mathematics because every problem grows naturally from a place, practice, or human need. Rather than serving as backdrops, the stories invite students to make consequential decisions, justify assumptions, compare strategies, and experience mathematics as a powerful tool for understanding the world. The recurring 'Pause and Examine Current Practices' questions make this resource equally transformative for educators, prompting honest reflection about who is doing the thinking, whose knowledge is valued, and how classroom practice can better support every learner."
Robert Berry, Dean at Indiana University School of Education

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