Evil Math Wizard

Making Math Magic

Mathematical Mindsets: a Collaborative Book Study 1

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As a teacher I really wanted and needed to read this book, but like most teachers I lacked quality time during the school year to really give this book the focus it requires. So I, along with other teachers, are reading this book over the summer and will be blogging about our learning and goals. So let’s get started!
 
This first chapter sets the tone for the book by exploring how our brain is flexible and is capable of more than we previously thought. Our brains can be open to new information and that means that “no one is born knowing math and no one is born lacking the ability to learn math” (Boeler, 2015, p. 5).
My Big Takeaway
It’s so important that teachers and parents used proper words to encourage students to have an open growth mindset and that using phrases like “You’re so smart” while sound positive and good are actually worse than saying nothing at all since students who are “smart” have a hard time exploring ideas and solving problems that are challenging and might not make them look “smart.”
Three tips to help encourage a math mindset for my math students 

1. Math is cool!
And everyone is capable of enjoying and exploring math at a higher level. Students (of all genders, races, and income levels) need to think that math is cool. How as a teacher can I encourage that in my classroom and school?

2. Make math fun!
I vow to make more math projects that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and team work. Especially projects that are real-world, have multiple answers and multiple approaches. My students should get to “play” with math.

3. Help parents help their students.
As part of curriculum night or an math workshop for parents, we will discuss growth mindset and ways they can positively help their students at home and not perpetuate the idea that “I’m bad at math, and so are you.” Math skills are not genetic!

So, math is fun and I enjoy teaching math and it’s my responsibility to share this enthusiasm with my students. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this book for my insights and action steps!

 

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