The Strategy in Action
“Metaphors and math go together better than most people imagine,”
says middle school math teacher Sandra Billows. “For example, I love using Metaphorical Expression to help students form a really solid understanding of mathematical concepts, like prime numbers. I also use it to help students internalize and apply key mathematical procedures.”
Today, Sandra is using Metaphorical Expression with her pre-algebra students to teach them the steps in solving algebra problems. Because this is her first time using the strategy with this year’s class, Sandra begins with a discussion on the use of metaphors in everyday life. Stu-
dents talk about examples of metaphors in their speech, the music they listen to, movies, advertisements, even nicknames for famous people (e.g. “Air” Jordan, “The Rock” for action star Dwayne Johnson). After the discussion, Sandra reinforces the idea that metaphors make connections between two items that aren’t really alike, allowing us to see both items in new, surprising, and memorable ways.