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Exploring Mathematical Modeling with Young Learners pp 235–266Cite as

Upcycling Plastic Bags to Make Jump Ropes: Elementary Students Leverage Experiences and Knowledge as They Engage in a Relevant, Community-Oriented Mathematical Modeling Task

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Part of the book series: Early Mathematics Learning and Development ((EMLD))

Abstract

Mathematical modeling is a high-leverage topic, critical for participation in STEM education and civic engagement (Aguirre et al., Math Teach Educ 7(2):7–26, 2019). In the Mathematical Modeling with Cultural and Community Contexts (M2C3) project, we investigate culturally responsive, community-based approaches that support mathematical modeling with elementary students, particularly those historically marginalized in STEM. This study focused on how students drew upon their knowledge and experiences as they engaged in the mathematical modeling process. Using a qualitative case study design (Stake, The art of case study research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, 1995), we investigated elementary students (third and fifth graders) in four different classes as they engaged in a common modeling lesson – Upcycling Plastic Bags to Make Jump Ropes. Data sources included video-recorded lesson observations, teacher interviews and reflections, and student work. Through iterative cycles of analysis, we conducted within-case and cross case analyses. Across the four lessons, we found that students’ experiences and knowledge related to jump rope activities supported their engagement in each phase of the modeling process. Specifically, students leveraged experiences to identify important quantities and relationships, to make assumptions, to analyze and interpret the reasonableness of their solutions, and to inform model revisions. Our findings have important implications for mathematics modeling instruction.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Erin E. Turner, Amy Bennett, Monica Granillo & Nishaan Ponnuru

  2. Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

    Amy Roth McDuffie & Candace Chappelle

  3. University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, USA

    Julia M. Aguirre

  4. Queens College, CUNY, New York, NY, USA

    Mary Q. Foote

Authors
  1. Erin E. Turner
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  2. Amy Roth McDuffie
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  3. Julia M. Aguirre
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  4. Mary Q. Foote
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  5. Candace Chappelle
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  6. Amy Bennett
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  7. Monica Granillo
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  8. Nishaan Ponnuru
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Correspondence to Erin E. Turner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

    Jennifer M. Suh

  2. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

    Megan H. Wickstrom

  3. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Lyn D. English

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Turner, E.E. et al. (2021). Upcycling Plastic Bags to Make Jump Ropes: Elementary Students Leverage Experiences and Knowledge as They Engage in a Relevant, Community-Oriented Mathematical Modeling Task. In: Suh, J.M., Wickstrom, M.H., English, L.D. (eds) Exploring Mathematical Modeling with Young Learners. Early Mathematics Learning and Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63900-6_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63900-6_11

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-63899-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-63900-6

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