Ways to incorporate FNMI knowledge:
- Saying, learning, and counting numbers in First Nation's languages in your area.
- Red River Cart Fraction Wheels.
- Mathology, containing First Nations stories in many of the units.
- Relate story teachings to mathematical processes (e.g., how characters solve problems).
- Invite students to find mathematics in their everyday land and environment.
- Small number counts to 100: http://mathcatcher.irmacs.sfu.ca/story/small-number-counts-100/blackfoot.
- Present mathematics problems of various sorts in varied ways (visual, oral, role-play, and experiential problems as well as word and symbol problems).
- Have students analyse geometric Aboriginal designs and create their own.
- Discuss the whys and hows of using non-standardized measurement systems (e.g. how Aboriginal people used various methods to measure time and distance, such as a day’s walk, moons, etc.)
- Students plant seeds (corn, beans & squash) and observe and record the growth and changes for measurement units.
- Design a Wampum belt (using beads, corn etc.) and explain the pattern using mathematical language.
- Use of beading for numeration, patterns and relations, multiplication, and division.
- Use of Metis Sashes for weaving, shape and space.
- Use of star quilts for decimals, fractions, and patterns.
- Use of parfleche for statistics, area, symmetry, and prisms.
- Use of jordin tootoo for comparing and ordering integers.
- Fur trade themed lesson plans for sums differences, decimals, statistics, and probability (see lessons found here: http://aboriginalperspectives.uregina.ca/workshops/workshop2011/).
- Math FNMI games such as the stick pull game (number), dropsticks (statistics and probability), plum stones (statistics, probability, bar graphs).
- Website with lesson plans: https://fner.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/aboriginal-perspectives-mathematics-workshopunits-grade-4-6/.