Mathematizing Representation in Children’s Libraries: An Antiracist Math Unit in Elementary Grades

Abstract

In this article, educators across schools tell the story of planning, implementing, and reflecting on an elementary antiracist unit focused on mathematizing racial representation in school libraries. Students and teachers engaged in conversations about race, utilized mathematics to visualize erasures of race in literature, and involved parents, administrators and the community in recognizing and taking action to change this injustice. Our team considers tensions and powerful student
thinking involved in using mathematics for antiracist learning for second through fifth-grade children.