The Plato and Descartes models led to the separation of mind and body and the development of rationalist views of education. These emphasised reason, logic, and abstract thinking. Hence, students can be reduced to cognitive machines.

When mind-body dualism goes unchecked, it becomes a model for students. Mathematics teachers often reinforce this perspective through their heavy reliance on textbooks and worksheets.

“The heart is enflamed in contexts that allow for creativity and curiosity, and in settings that open doors to God’s rich and varied world”.

Caphill, 2017, p.15

Strategies to consider

• Take maths outside

• Use manipulatives

• Play games

• Look at pictures; watch videos that connect with the world and current issues; allow emotions to be stirred

• Use and experiment with mathematical tools such as clinometers, 3D shapes, and other measurement tools; as well as technology

• Build models

• Interconnect with art, music, science, etc.

• Use rich, authentic tasks

• Explore What If Learning: https://whatiflearning.com/

• Youcubed resources: https://www.youcubed.org/tasks/

• Eddie Woo ideas: https://www.youtube.com/@misterwootube/videos

• NRICH resources: https://nrich.maths.org/

• Consider real-world analysis and responses: https://thankyou.co/pages/methodology; https://www.gapminder.org/answers/how-reliable-is-the-world-population-forecast/

However, before you ‘click away’ and explore these other great resources, don’t forget to consider how you will explain your choice of activity to your students. The biblical context for your choice of activity is important!