WHAT COMES AFTER NEWAW?

WHEN GENERALIZATION DISRUPTS EXPERIENCE IN MATHEMATICS

Abstract

I (first author) explore tensions that arose with Cree elementary school
teachers during mathematics class when I attempted to generalize Cree
words they were teaching me and their students. Generalization is a process
in the mathematics discipline that practitioners use to create such
things as theorems and formulas. For example, this might be achieved
by generalizing patterns amongst specific things. While this is a conventional
practice in the discipline, my imposition of generalization does not
align with the Cree perspectives these teachers were representing, and
disrupted the sharing of their experiences. By inquiring narratively into
my experiences and the experiences of these teachers, I explain how a
mis-educative teaching moment on my part led to an educative experience.