Lakehead Weaves Algonquin Looming Workshop into Math Classes
October 9, 2014 – Orillia, ON
A professor from the Education program at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus has come up with a creative way to incorporate First Nations perspectives and values into the mathematics curriculum.
On Saturday, October 18, the University will host a one-day Algonquin Looming workshop where participants will learn about the historical and cultural importance of traditional beading.
“Ontario has an Aboriginal Education Strategy that recognizes the importance of First Nations content throughout the Ontario curriculum,” explains Dr. Ruth Beatty, associate professor of Education at Lakehead Orillia, and organizer of the workshop.
While participants learn how to design and weave with beads, the workshop will highlight the mathematical connections between Algonquin practices and the Western mathematics found in the Ontario curriculum.
“This will be a unique experience that combines hands-on learning with theoretical implications for teaching,” adds Dr. Beatty.
The one-day workshop features beaders Christina Ruddy and April Jones, who will guide novice beaders on how to design a pattern, string a loom and weave beads into original works of art.
The workshop is open to the public and takes place from 11 am to 3:30 pm at Lakehead’s Heritage Place site in downtown Orillia (1 Colborne Street West). A fee of $10/person is charged to cover the cost of supplies.
To register and for further information, contact Dr. Ruth Beatty at rbeatty@lakeheadu.ca.
- 30 -
Media: For more information, please contact Lakehead University’s Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.
In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by a new Strategic Plan (2013-2018), our University is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses, in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings), as well as 1st in Ontario and 2nd in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource). Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.