Knights and Gender

Thank you for the posts thus far.In relation to the comments made about the math picture book in the Sir Cumference series, I wonder what people think the role of women are.

I wonder...

• Thinking back to Medieval Times, what roles would women have played?
  
• How do you think this may affect the way women are portrayed in this series?

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure

Source: http://www.amazon.ca/Sir-Cumference-First-Round-Table/dp/1570911525/ref=sr_1_1/702-2639125-2400055?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179331598&sr=1-1

This is a popular math book read by children and educators.
By looking at the cover's images and text, do you believe a boy or girl child is more likely to relate or enjoy this story? Why?

Quote: Females and Mathematics

“There is an interesting parallel between the decline in girls’ involvement in maths between seven and sixteen years of age, and the gradual disappearance of girls from math books over the same period.”

(Northam, 1986, p. 116)

Northam, J. (1986). Chapter 8: Girls and Boys in Primary Maths Books. In Leone Burton (Ed.), Girls into Maths Can Go (pp. 110 – 121). Great Britain: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Northam's (1986) research is the basis for my MRP. This quote from her chapter, Girls and Boys in Primary Math Books, helps frame the importance of my research.

• Why are females not represented in math books as much as males?
• Why are women less likely to get involved in mathematics compared to men?

Any thoughts?

Hi Everyone,
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Thanks!
~Melissa