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On one hand, this is a disappointing because I’ve been blaming my below average math marks on genetics but on the other hand, this means that I don’t have to stay bad at math! Math is challenging, and for many students, it can be intimidating. There is a right and a wrong answer which is different then a subject like English where you can prove your point using evidence that you shape. Getting a wrong answer can be a deflating feeling, especially when mistakes feel like failures. In the video The Brain Science on Growth Mindset we learn that mistakes are critical for developing the brain in math and that often students lack confidence in math. There is a direct correlation between building confidence in math with increasing success in the subject. When I listened to Jo Boaler speak about building confidence in math learners it made complete sense to me. I was a student who lacked confidence. Instead of working harder, making mistakes and getting better I shied away from the subject relying on my excuse.
The video You’re Not Bad At Math, You’re Just Lazy dives into the excuse of being bad at math and concludes that more exposure to math and more practice can make you better. The video addresses the fact that many people don’t like math because it can be a difficult subject but that doesn’t mean you have to be bad, it might just mean you’re too lazy to get better. This was definitely me as a student. I was content with staying average because making mistakes and admitting I was intimidated did not feel like an option.
This week acted as a learning opportunity for me as a teacher. I can’t bring my negative attitude towards math into my classroom. I am going to have to work hard at feeling more confident in math. For my students, I am going to have to make it fun, interesting and discover a variety of strategies that students can use to solve math problems. My goal is to be the math teacher I wish I’d had as a student. I want my classroom to be a safe place for making mistakes, to bring the real world into the math class and to have an inquiry based approach so that my students are invested and interested. There are so many opportunities to bridge the gap for those who don’t think they like math. Using my personal experience as a student who struggles will hopefully allow me to relate to my students and help them past the barriers they feel are in front of them in math.
Hi Darcy,
ReplyDeleteI too had never really heard the fact that we all have an innate ability to do math and that it is our exposure to the subject that will help us to build upon this ability. I also thought I was just "not a math person" and had the attitude that I was never was and never will be. So the idea that even right now, that I can become better at math, is pretty powerful and motivating. Your experience with math in school sounds a lot like mine, I too was happy with just being okay at math and kind of flying under the radar because I really did not feel confident in doing math. I appreciate how you speak to the fact that you're going to need to change your attitude as an educator, I think it is important that moving forward we all do this. We need to learn to put our own preconceived thoughts and feelings aside toward a subject and instead focus on teaching it to our students to the best of our ability with a positive and creative attitude.
Hi Darcy,
ReplyDeleteI really love your revelation that you "don't have to stay bad at math!" I think I spent this whole week reflecting on what the math person myth means for my students, but I didn't really consider what it means for me. One of the videos mentioned that math is like a language, and like any language we can get better at it with practice. Sometimes I feel a little bit intimidated by the idea of teaching math to students, and having to answer questions about concepts that I don't always fully understand myself. Perhaps I need to internalize the message from this week a little bit more, and start practicing math!
Hey Darcy,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how you pointed out confidence as a major contributor to your math troubles. Sometimes we need a push or an environment that allows us to be comfortable. I wonder how you would have done if a teacher would've showed you that making mistakes in math and challenging yourself actually made you better.
I also liked how you pointed out being positive in the classroom and working hard for your students. The first few times I taught math I felt like I didn't know the material myself and was kind of negative to the idea. Once I started tying in more inquiry and fun activities I found math was not only more interesting and fun for the students but was way more engaging for me.
Thanks for sharing.