Math with Social Justice Relevance

It was a chilly day in January.

Fourth grade students and teachers went downtown to walk the streets of the busy financial district to meet food cart vendors. They were able to observe the variety of international selections that vendors were selling, and sample the delicious-smelling food.

Over 90% of the food vendors in New York City are first generation, or recent immigrants. This field trip gave students the opportunity to talk directly to the people who stood inside these carts, cooking food that reflected the cuisine of their home countries. Students were curious to hear the stories of where they immigrated from, and how they happened to enter into the business of selling food on the street.

Our original purpose for this field trip was to relate the history of immigration to the current perspectives and experiences of people who are relative newcomers to this country. Up to this point, fourth graders had been learning about the struggles of immigrants coming to NYC over 100 years ago. For example, factory workers who were docked pay for unfair situations, and newsies who were compelled to strike when the cost of buying the newspapers they would then sell increased, making it more challenging to make a meager profit. The students are recognizing that there are many parallels between the immigrants in those historical situations and some of the immigrants they’ve met selling food on the street today.

In addition to this rich social studies viewpoint, we intended to integrate mathematics by providing a “real” context for the operations of addition and subtraction. Food cart vendors manage large and small amounts of money from purchasing permits and food to cook as well as the daily exchange between customers who eagerly await a warm meal and a drink during the lunch hour. What we didn’t realize was that this small field trip would open the door to a much larger experience for learning, and inspire deeper conversations surrounding immigration and equity through the lens of financial opportunity.

First, we met Veronica, who emigrated from Trinidad. She had been selling her delicious Jerk chicken to a steady lunch clientele on the corner near Water Street since 2004. We were amazed when she told us that she had also catered weddings with over 100 people from her little cart! She was proud of the fact that not only had she been able to make a living, but she had also put her daughter through college from the income she made. Veronica entered into the business of street vending back when a food vendor’s permit, issued by The City of New York, was fairly easily obtainable for a fee of $200.

In contrast to Veronica’s success story, we met Alfonso, a recent immigrant from Mexico. We met Alfonso while visiting the Urban Justice Center, a nonprofit organization that represents street vendors and the legal issues they encounter while operating food carts in New York. Alfonso’s first language was Mixtec, but he also spoke conversational Spanish. A student from Deborah Hodge’s class volunteered to serve as interpreter for us. Alfonso explained that he was being fined $1,000 for operating a cart without a New York City-issued food-vending permit.

During this discussion, we learned that Alfonso would have to pay over $20,000.00 through the black market for a food vending permit if he wanted to sell food legally on the streets of New York. The city has a cap of 5,100 permits that it issues, and currently there is a fifteen-year waiting list to obtain one legitimately. So, the original permit holders (most of whom no longer operate food carts, and  have long since left the city), renew their permits every two years, and then immediately rent them out for a huge profit. While it seemed shocking to hear this injustice, those numbers didn’t quite seem real for many students.

Suddenly, it became clear how the study of operations in mathematics could be used to examine the financial issues that immigrants face if they want to start a food cart business. One way to help the students grapple with the financial, legal, equitable, and business issues was to have them create business plans for their own street vending businesses. An important requirement was to include the $20,000.00 cost of a permit that they would have to obtain through the black market. They also had to consider other realistic costs of doing business and the amount of profit they could make.

Food Cart Business Plans:

By examining the math involved in this project, students explored deeply the roles that place value, and the properties of arithmetic play in the addition and subtraction of larger numbers. Students gained an understanding of when they could quickly and efficiently solve multi-digit problems mentally, or when a problem required a more formal algorithm. Invented and transparent algorithms were examined, as well as the traditional shorthand US algorithm (what most adults learned in school). The goal was for each student to develop a method for calculation that was accurate, reliable, and efficient, as well as one that they understood conceptually, rather than memorizing procedures without understanding.

Two examples of mental math calculations:

1,300 – 446 = 854                                      

This student broke up 446 by place (400 + 40 + 6), and then subtracted.

 

 

287 – 118 = 169

This student changed both numbers in order to create an equivalent problem that could be solved mentally.

 

An example of a transparent and US algorithm:

                                                       457 – 364 = 93

 

An expanded, transparent algorithm 

This student used an “expanded place value” algorithm that makes the computation transparent and easy to understand.

 

 

Traditional U.S. algorithm

This student used the traditional U.S. algorithm with understanding.

 

 

 

Students realized through this project that when a food vendor has to pay $20,000.00 to obtain a permit on the black market, it may not be worth standing out in the cold on the streets of New York because it is extremely difficult to make a profit.

This prompted our students to find out more about this unfair financial burden for street vendors, and how they could get involved. The students consulted with a representative from the Urban Justice Center, and found out that the City Council of New York controls the regulation of food vending permits. They contacted Melissa Mark Viverito, the City Council Speaker, to request a meeting with her. She was unable to meet with the class, but instead, Rob Newman, a lawyer working on the permits issue, came to speak to the class.

After the fourth graders peppered Rob with questions, most of the students were not satisfied that enough was being done about this important issue, and they felt that further action was needed on their part. They wrote letters to the speaker, expressing their concerns about the unfairness of food vending permit caps. They also decided to hand-deliver their letters and stage a protest in front of New York City Hall on April 7, 2016.

Read about students’ reflections on this event below:

I think that my experience overall was fun, loud, exciting and crazy. Loud because we were all chanting really loudly. Exciting because it was exciting to protest and crazy because everyone was yelling, waving their flags and it was just crazy. And fun because it was just fun. I think that is a very cool thing to do all together as a fourth grade.

It really surprised me that the people dressed up as characters were standing in the rain the whole day. I think the people in the costumes were brave because they got close to City Hall. They were also trying to be activists and that takes a lot of effort.

When we were crossing the street to get to City hall, something caught my eye it was a red ball of fur. I soon realized it was Elmo! And Spider Man, Kevin (the minion), and the Joker. They were all equipped with signs. Our class realized they were protesters too! This was very surprising, the whole class knew there was going to be other protesters but not ones dressed up in cartoon characters costumes.

 

I think that from our arrival people will take this very seriously. 2 council members came up to us, and we shouted and screamed at the top of our lungs and people were video taping us and taking our flyers. We made a effort and no one can just throw that prize away.

I hope we were not taken as a joke. Over all I really enjoyed the trip. I learned a lot about protesting. I would totally do it again.

Today we went to City Hall. We had to deliver letters to the Speaker of the city council Melissa Mark Viverito. One thing that interested me on the field trip were when we first got to 250 Broadway, two City Council members talked to us. I found that interesting because out of all the work they have to do they chose to talk to us about vendor problems.

What I think might happen next is after the protest they might listen to us and have a discussion and talk about lifting the “cap”. There is a “cap” on the number of permits. One council member might present the idea to the other council members and find some council supporters. Then the bill process begins.

On April seventh 2016 we went to protest at City Hall,and something really cool happened. City Council members talked to our class because we gave them letters that we all made. They basically said food vendors shouldn’t have to pay $20,000-$25,000 for a permit. It was cool because I thought that no one was going to talk to us. I thought that they were just going to take videos of us and say how cute we are. Now I feel like we are really doing something. I think the City Council has heard us and will change the law. I think this because they seemed to be on our side. I wonder how long it will take to change the law? Will it take a day, a month, or a year? I thought today was really fun. I especially liked the part when the council member came outside. I liked this because it made me know that they were acknowledging us.

I think we will speed things up. I say this because we are kids and if kids are protesting that means people should really listen. I also think we might have persuaded a couple of people to think about this because we gave out fliers. I thought this was a very positive experience. I think the best part was that it really felt like we were doing something hands on to help. I also felt like this was a one of a kind experience. I say this because it doesn’t happen very often that you have a chance to protest with your friends.

 

I found a lot of things about today interesting. One thing that I thought was interesting was some City Council members came outside and talked to us. One of the members asked us questions and he was very focused on our answers. Our grade made signs before we went to City Hall. When we got there, we chanted, “What do we want, permits! When do we want them, now!” We chanted while bouncing our signs up and down.

There were lots of other things going on around City Hall. I saw people dressed as cartoon characters also protesting across the street. I think that they were protesting about a different issue. I didn’t expect to see cartoon characters at City Hall.

 

Our grade had a lawyer that works with the City Council come speak to us at school. We talked about the problem with food vendor permits. He thinks that the City Council might give out around 3000 new permits. They will see how long it takes for the permits to sell out. If it takes a long time for them to sell out, they might lift the cap. But if they sell out quickly, they won’t lift the cap. I think that they might go with that decision.

Today the whole 4th grade went to City Hall to protest for street vendors. I thought it was interesting that some City Council members came out to talk to us, and they were both really nice. The first City Council member that came out agreed with us then he changed the subject to something he was trying to change. The other Council member was very kind and related things he was talking about to what kids like. I also thought it was interesting that we got to hand out flyers to people. Some people would take the flyers and be very nice, but some people wouldn’t take a flyer, and some people would be little rude.

 

I thought this trip was fun because we got to experience what it’s like for a real activist, that sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you don’t and it can get a little scary, like if someone screams at you. It was really fun to see that people were really interested in what we were protesting about, and they were surprised that a bunch of 4th graders were protesting for this cause. I really enjoyed going to City Hall and protesting. It was something completely new for me and I think we all learned a lot from this trip.              

Today we went to City Hall to make our voices be heard about food vendors. A lot of things happened today but one of the most interesting things was when two City Council members came to talk to us. First of all we are all standing in front of the building where the members were having their meeting, we were yelling and screaming our chants at the top of our lungs. We made signs earlier that day, and we were waving them in the air, like we just did not care. I was sure I was going to lose my voice.

 

One thing that surprised me today was the City Hall security guards. One nice man from the City Council let us take a picture in front of City Hall. But apparently we were not supposed to do that because this security guard came running toward us with an unpleasant face. I think this guard did not want to look like a fool yelling to fourth graders so he went straight to the Food Vendor Project people. He started yelling nonsense in her face like “why exactly are you here,” and “who invited you to come here,” overall it was crazy.

I think City Council will like our idea because when we got to talk to some of them they said “you have our support.” I hope they actually mean that and didn’t just say that because we are cute fourth graders. People say that and I don’t think that is fair.

When we got there and started protesting, there was an immediate crowd with cell phones out. Deborah gave some people (who wanted to) flyers for the people in the crowd or people that walked by to except. Most people took them, some didn’t. It really helped me understand that there are jobs for everybody, and millions of things to fight for.

Today’s experience was unforgettable, because it was my first time striking, but I don’t think it will be my last. It was so fun and awesome, except for the raining and the mean guy that didn’t let us go into City Hall.

 

I think the City Council will do nothing. I don’t even think that they will read our letters. When we talked to the City Council people they smiled a cheesey smile and then walked away. I think they took us as a joke. I told everyone that no one would take us seriously and no one did.

I thought that it was fun and annoying. It was fun because we were with our friends and we were protesting and it was raining. It was annoying because no one took us seriously and it was raining.

 

Today was an interesting day. The L.R.E.I. fourth grade went to protest by City hall for vendors permits. One thing thing that was very interesting was that City Council members talked to the class. The ones that we talked to supported our protest. They said they are trying to help make more vending permits.

Some things also surprised the fourth grade like a yelling security guard and the cops that were there. I got surprised by the yelling security guard more. The security guard was yelling at a member of the Urban Justice Center who was talking to a reporter. The guard wasn’t informed that the fourth grade was going to be there so he got mad. After a while he stormed off.

Today we went to City Hall. It held a lot of interesting and surprising things. Some of the most interesting things that happened today was meeting 2 city council members. This is interesting to me because, I’ve wanted to meet a City Council member for a long time. The first one was very nice and told us that he agreed with the Food Vendors and then told us his idea about plastic bags and how they should not be used. The second one told us about how he covers Brooklyn.

 

After the protest, something I think might happen is that the City Council will listen and take the idea to the committee. If the committee votes yes then they send it to the Senate. If the Senate doesn’t agree then they can change or deny it. They can also postpone it for a later date. I hope the City Council will approve it and make it a law because it can help the food vendors.

Overall, It was an awesome experience to be a part of. It’s fun to protest but it’s also important to do it for a good cause. It’s important to let your voice be heard and make people aware. If you believe in something never give up.