Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — While many people consider math a subject that transcends languages, math students still need to solve word problems and justify their answers. Thus, their teachers need to develop language as well as teach math concepts.
To help teachers do just that, Dr. Jim Ewing, associate professor in the Department of Education Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, has self-published two new books on English-language learners. Both build on his highly regarded primer, “Math for ELLs: As Easy as Uno, Dos, Tres.”
Ewing released the primer in February to help teachers who work with the three quarters of ELLs who speak Spanish at home. The book describes developing a positive math mindset in ELLs, providing access to content and engaging them in productive struggle, among other topics.
Choice magazine called the book “invaluable to both pre-service and in-service teachers, as well as those studying bilingual education and English for speakers of other languages.”
Building on “Math for ELLs,” Ewing recently released two more books that apply the theories from his first to help teachers working with ELLs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Math for Hispanic ELs: A Teacher's Guide for the Classroom and Distance Learning (K-2)” features lesson plans and word problems for students in kindergarten through second grade, while “Math for Hispanic ELs: A Teacher's Guide for the Classroom and Distance Learning (3 to 5)” focuses on students in third through fifth grade.
“I guide the teachers in meeting the math needs of emergent bilingual students in the classroom, online and without Wi-Fi,” Ewing said. “I specifically focus on Latinx students.”
All three books are available on amazon.com.
For more information, email Ewing at ewingjs@sfasu.edu.