The Real Histories Directory

The Real Histories Directory has a number of resources that might be of help to teachers wishing to introduce more diversity to their teaching of Mathematics.

Global Dimension list a number of resources suitable for the teaching of mathematics including Christian Aid's The Poverty Challenge, Oxfam's Bring on the World and Water Splash.

Global and Anti-Racist Perspectives within the Primary Curriculum is an extensive resource, developed by teachers in Nottingham. The folder shows in great detail how a global perspective can be included within each subject of the primary curriculum. There are sections for every subject, beginning with an introductory overview of links to global perspectives. This is followed by a detailed framework showing resources and ideas for each QCA unit of work within the England National Curriculum.

With Human Rights in the Curriculum: Mathematics, produced by Amnesty International and the Education in Human Rights Network, secondary school teachers can teach Mathematics and Citizenship at the same time. The book addresses all the human rights challenges of Citizenship education within the context of the secondary mathematics classroom. Its 30 thought-provoking, entertaining and multicuiltural activities have been developed by teachers and fully trialled in a range of schools.

The Great Hindu Pioneers of Science website includes, for example, the 4th-century astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatt, and the 12th-century algebra genius Bhaskaracharya II.

The Respect for All: Subject case studies site covers all subjects in the national curriculum and has real examples of good practice from schools across the country, showing how teachers are valuing diversity and challenging racism. Respect for All also has an article on Mathematics and its potential for valuing diversity and challenging racism.

Multiverse has an ITE session on anti-racist mathematics and an ITE teacher educator session on teaching about diversity through mathematics, specifically the contribution to our mathematical heritage by a variety of civilizations. Further resources include information sheets on Babylonian numerals, Hindu-Arabic numerals, Inca numbers, Mayan numbers, Roman numerals and Arabic hundred square activity. The site also offers website resources for mathematics and science in community languages.

Finally,for KS 2 and KS3 students, the Birmingham Grid for Learning site has the Booster Sea Mission, a fun series of eleven activities to help with maths in English, Urdu, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese and Somali.