The incarnate rhythm of geometrical knowing

Alfredo BAUTISTA ARELLANO, Wolff-Michael ROTH

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rhythm is a fundamental dimension of human nature at both biological and social levels. However, existing research literature has not sufficiently investigated its role in mathematical cognition and behavior. The purpose of this article is to bring the concept of "incarnate rhythm" into current discourses in the field of mathematical learning and knowing. Our study is part of a 2-year longitudinal project focused on theorizing the role of the body in elementary students' mathematics. Drawing on an exemplary episode in which a group of third-graders were asked to classify three-dimensional objects, we illustrate how rhythmical patterns can emerge in dimensions such as beat gestures, body position, and object orientation. Based on a detailed microanalysis of the episode, which was selected among other structurally similar examples, we conclude that incarnate rhythm is an irreducible feature in the emergence of mathematical sense and the production of mathematical communication. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-104
JournalJournal of Mathematical Behavior
Volume31
Issue number1
Early online dateOct 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2012

Citation

Bautista, A., & Roth, W.-M. (2012). The incarnate rhythm of geometrical knowing. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 31(1), 91-104. doi: 10.1016/j.jmathb.2011.09.003

Keywords

  • Geometrical knowing
  • Classification
  • Rhythm
  • Elementary students
  • Mathematics in the flesh
  • Embodiment
  • Enactivism

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The incarnate rhythm of geometrical knowing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.