Unicorns. Fire Breathing Dragons. Leprechauns.
All Mythical, yes?
Let’s add one to the list: The Math Gene.
Math class is notorious for being the place that fixed mindsets come into play.
Many believe we’re either born doing calculus in the hospital room or born wondering what people are talking about when they say “X.” What could students accomplish if we accepted that math is not an inborn ability but, rather, a personal journey?
A celebration of effort and perseverance?
An acceptance of mistakes along the way?
And what math trauma could adults avoid inadvertently passing on to kiddos?
Let’s start at home with a Growth Mindset! A growth mindset in math might feel like:
- A conviction that no one is “born” with unchangeable, mythical math powers
- Permission to learn math at your own speed
- Zero shame when you get something wrong
- Celebration when you or a friend “gets it
- Curiosity about math and solving problems
At home, we can begin to undo the “not a math person” myth and implement a patient, yes-wecan, effort-pays-off, growth mindset approach.
With small changes, we can make math feel a lot less like a heart-racing, first-to-the-buzzer nightmare and more like solving problems with friends.
Always thinking outside the cuboid ~ Dee, Amy
Kimara, Melissa, Renee, Shalini, Dalton, Jennifer,
Kendra, Elana, Erin, Dave, Nathan, MacKenzie
Matheletes of July!
Clara S, grade 4,
Learned all of her
multiplication facts 2 through 12! She
earned a special treat for her mastery!
Griffin, grade 2,
Is coming in hot! He is
already learning multiplication and
division!
Cristian, grade K,
Is always enthusiastic
about learning and has worked diligently
in class and on all of his practice work at
home. Way to go Cristian
