McCain’s Messages: Matrices and Mathematical Practices (pp. 42--50)

Authors

Abstract

The authors discuss what happened when twenty-two middle school students were introduced to the structure of matrices as they studied how John McCain and other prisoners of the Vietnam War used the tools to communicate. In addition to sharing the results of the historically based lesson, this article describes how the students engaged in many of the Mathematical Practices from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

Author Biographies

Valerie N Long, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Valerie N Long, vlong@iup.edu, is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She teaches mathematics content and methods courses for preservice and inservice teachers as well as undergraduate math classes. Her research aims to investigate teachers preferences for mahematics curriculum materials and the influencing factors. She is also interested in curricular and pedagogical issues associated with teacher and student learning, such as number talks.

Brian Sharp, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Brian Sharp is a Professor of Mathematics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His major area of interest includes technology, gamification, and mathematical modeling.

References

Borling, J. (2013). Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton. USA: Master Wings Publishing LLC.

Corcoran, C. S. (1991). Communication: The key to survival for American prisoners of war in Vietnam. Air Power History, 38(4), 48-54.

Koestler, A. (1941). Darkness at noon. A novel. New York, NY: The Macmillan Company.

McCain, J., & Salter, M. (1999). Faith of My Fathers. New York, NY: Random House.

NCTM. (2014). Principles to action: Ensuring mathematical success for all. Reston, VA: Author.

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Washington, DC: Authors.

Shea, J. D. [AirmanMagazineOnline]. (2016, Jan 11). The code [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zUImnnjCtI&t=1s

Waxman, O.B. (2018, April 2). How poetry helped sustain John McCain during his years as a prisoner of war [Video file]. Retrieved from https://time.com/5219605/john-mccain-pow-poem/

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Published

2020-02-06

How to Cite

Long, V. N., & Sharp, B. (2020). McCain’s Messages: Matrices and Mathematical Practices (pp. 42--50). hio ournal of chool athematics, 84(1). etrieved from http://voyager.janeway.systems:9999/index.php/OJSM/article/view/7300

Issue

Vol. 84: Spring 2020

Section

Articles

License

By submitting this agreement, the author hereby grants to The Ohio State University, on behalf of its University Libraries

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