This blog post is a collaboration between Reagan from Educate with Ease and Allie from Tech About Math! The links provided in this post are not affiliate links and we receive no commission if you make a purchase.
Finding books that focus on math can be a challenge. But finding books that focus on creating an equitable math classroom is even more difficult!
What is an equitable math classroom? A math class with an environment that is inclusive of all students. It uses materials that students see themselves in. It also gives all students in the class the tools that they each need to be successful.
In this post, we round up books and resources that will help you to create a more equitable math classroom. We have included professional books, articles, and books for your classroom library.
Professional Books & Articles
As teachers, it is very important that we continue to educate ourselves on how to see past our own privileges. We must also seek out teaching methods that create an equitable classroom. Some of the professional resources that we have highlighted are specific to math teachers, and others are geared towards teachers in general.
Rethinking Mathematics: Social Justice by the Numbers
This book includes information on how to weave social justice issues into math lessons and lessons you can use in your classroom.
Multiplication Is for White People”: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children
This book goes further into Lisa Delpit’s ideas from her first book, Other People’s Children. She highlights systemic issues that lead to achievement gaps between white students and students who are BIPOC. She also offers action steps to raise expectations, and therefore close the achievement gap.
The Impact of Identity in K-8 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices
This book asks teachers to think about their own identities as math teachers. It combines that with students’ strengths to create an equitable classroom.
Smarter Together – Collaboration in Elementary Classroom
This book explains how to use group work to increase math achievement. Group work can often hinder the learning of certain students. This book gives tips on how to change that!
This book talks about five principles that occur in equitable classrooms. Throughout the book you learn from teachers and students who teach through this approach.
27 Mistakes White Teachers of Black Students Make and How to Fix Them (Article)
This article highlights mistakes that white teachers often make when they are teaching students who are BIPOC. It is a good starting point to begin to understand the mistakes you may have made, so that you can seek out resources to help you learn from those mistakes.
Books for Your Classroom Library
Not only is it important for teachers to learn strategies to create an equitable classroom, it’s also important to include resources in your classroom library that highlight the work of successful BIPOC in STEM fields.
101 Black Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Leaders in Black History
This book highlights the stories of 101 Black women in STEM fields, and how their work has impacted us today.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
This book tells the story of Katherine Johnson, who worked for NASA during the space race. She was portrayed in the popular film, Hidden Figures.
The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague
This book tells the story of Raye Montague. She changed how ships are designed, despite facing sexism and racism throughout her career.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
This book tells the story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. All four women made critical contributions to the Space Race.
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History and Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Both of these books highlight talented Black men and women in history. The men and women in these books accomplished great things in their fields. The accomplishments are in the STEM field and many other fields!
This list is not exhaustive, but it is a place to start if you are looking to begin creating a more equitable math classroom! Have another book that you use in your room? Drop a comment and let us know!
Enjoy!
Check out Some Other Classroom Resources
- Black Girl MATHmagic– This subscription box is full of resources designed to increase girls’ confidence in math. Each monthly box includes a themed activity booklet, a guide for adults, and 3-5 items that “bring the theme to life.” The box is available in a version for grades 3-5 and a version for grades 6-8!
- Black Girls Do STEM – This organization organizes events and programs designed to
- Black Girls Code – This movement is similar to the #GirlsWhoCode movement in getting more Black girls involved with STEM and coding! Their goal is to expose girls to computer science and technology to train them to be leaders and help build their futures in STEM.
For more information on how to help support Black owned businesses, check out this post.
