Mathematical Modeling as a Catalyst for Equitable Mathematics Instruction: Preparing Teachers and Young Learners with 21st Century Skills

This case study focuses on a team of teachers and students in Lesson Study, focused using mathematical modeling (MM) to make significant decisions design plan for sustainable edible garden their community. We examined (a) how develop students’ capacity engage modeling, while attending equitable teaching practices; (b) teachers’ view through mathematics changed after unit implementation. found that were deliberate employing specific structures, routines, tools attend participation, when eliciting student thinking the process. as they recognized MM allowed integration important concepts giving ownership mathematics; opportunity assess both content 21st century process skills; (c) positive energy came from use modeling. A promising strategy preparing our youth rigorous skills solve ill-structured problems is by integrating early elementary grades critical productive disposition towards problem posing solving.