Eddie Files and The Kay Toliver Files, 1995-1998, The

School Science and Mathematics, Feb 1998 by McDonald, Jacqueline

The Eddie Files and The Kay Toliver Files, 1995-1998 Length: The Eddie Files, 20 min each; The Kay Toliver Files, 15 minutes each)

The Eddie Files feature 11-year-old Eddie, a mythical student in Toliver's very real mathematics class in East Harlem, New York. Video footage of actual classroom activities are woven with footage of Eddie interviewing and exploring applications and examples of class ideas, as he compiles his "files" of mathematical examples, concepts, and careers. This weaving of real classroom experiences with a fictional student's further investigations and explorations creates a powerful mathematical experience, especially for young students. The Kay Toliver Files feature segments of her classroom in action. She provides an exciting narration of the class activities, emphasizing multiple perspectives. Each Kay Toliver file corresponds to an Eddie file.

In The Eddie Files: Geometry: Invasion of the Polygons, for example, Eddie is involved with the rest of the classroom in building three-dimensional shapes from various polygons. When he is given a homework assignment to find polygons, Eddie interviews an architect, studies buildings, meets an inventor, and photographs his experiences. In The Kay Toliver Files: Polygons, the same lesson is presented but from Toliver's perspective. She narrates the classroom events and activities and comments on motivation, task selection, activities, student learning, management, communication, and writing in the math class. The Eddie Files: Estimation: Going to the Dogs finds Eddie and his class trying to estimate the number of dogs in New York City. He and his peers make estimates using a variety of different strategies. In the corresponding The Kay Toliver Files: Estimation, Toliver explains the importance of estimation skills, narrating the lesson, and elaborating on the learning and teaching strategies presented in the classroom vignettes.

The Eddie Files: Statistics: The Lucky Batting Glove finds Eddie in pursuit of baseball statistics for his homework assignment. While talking to Gus, the hot dog vendor at Yankee Stadium, Eddie comes into possession of Wade Boggs's lucky batting glove. He and his Aunt Rosa set out on a statistical adventure, as they attempt to return Boggs's glove.

In The Eddie Files: The Counting Principle: Eddie in Barbieland, Eddie is asked by his mother and aunt to do the UNTHINKABLE! He is to go to the toy store and buy Barbie clothes for his sister's birthday present. This task relates to his math lesson on the fundamental counting principle. Eddie's adventures include a tour of Mattel toys and applications of mathematics with both Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars.

One of the factors making these two series particularly unique is the opportunity to pair tapes for an unusual educational perspective. This provides many opportunities for educators. First, each video stands independently and can be used with or without its partner or other members of its series. Second, a classroom teacher can incorporate The Eddie Files into classroom instruction and, at the same time, use The Kay Toliver Files to study a lesson and related methodology.

I showed The Eddie File: Geometry: Invasion of the Polygons to a preservice education class. They were enthused about the dynamics of what they saw but were mystified by the actual "bringing to pass" of such instruction. We outlined some of their interests and concerns and then watched The Kay Toliver Files. The narrative provided by Toliver was strong, dynamic, reassuring and motivating to the students. They left class with specific ideas they felt could make a difference in the way they taught. Several students borrowed The Eddie Files to take into their field placement classes and use in their own lessons.

The Eddie File, File Box 1, includes "Welcome to Math: You Gotta Start Somewhere"; "Estimation: Going to the Dogs"; "Geometry: Invasion of the Polygons"; and "Fractions: Any Way You Slice It." The corresponding The Kay Toliver Files are "Welcome to Mathematics," "Estimation," "Polygons," and "Fractions."

The Eddie Files, File Box 2, includes "Distance, Time and Speed: Hot Dog Heaven"; "Statistics: The Lucky Batting Glove"; "Circles: The Vegie Stash-OMatic"; and "Decimals: The Fake Money Caper."

The Eddie Files, File Box 3, includes "Length and Area: Sleeping Like a Dog"; "Patterns: The Big Concert"; "Volume: The Day Manhattan Ran Dry"; and "The Counting Principle: Eddie in Barbieland." The Kay Toliver Files corresponding to File Box 2 and File Box 3 are expected to be released in the spring of 1998.

Editor's Note: Jacqueline McDonald's postal address is Adelphi University, School of Education, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, and e-mail address is mcdonald@adlibv.adelphi.edu.