ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Critical mathematics pedagogy

Have you ever heard about mathematics? It's all about numbers, shapes and patterns. Critical mathematics pedagogy is a big term that talks about teaching mathematics in a very special way. Let me break it down for you.

You see, some people think that mathematics is just about memorizing formulas and rules, and getting the right answer. But critical mathematics pedagogy is different. It believes that math is also about understanding why things work the way they do, questioning the rules we use, and using math to solve real-world problems.

Imagine you are baking cookies. You need to know how much flour, sugar, and butter to use, right? Well, critical mathematics pedagogy would help you figure out the recipe by understanding the measurements and proportions. It also encourages you to think about why you need each ingredient, and how you can adjust the recipe if needed.

Now, let's say you want to buy a toy. You only have a certain amount of money, but there are different toys with different prices. Critical mathematics pedagogy would help you compare the prices, figure out the best deal, and understand why some toys may be more expensive than others.

But it's not just about solving problems. Critical mathematics pedagogy also cares about who gets to learn math, and how they learn it. It wants to make sure that math is accessible and relevant to everyone, especially those who have been traditionally excluded or marginalized.

So, in a nutshell, critical mathematics pedagogy is a way of teaching math that goes beyond memorization and formulas. It helps you understand why math matters, how it connects to real life, and how it can be used for social justice.