Mathematics

Mathematics for most people is a love or hate subject more than other subjects. Education Week sent out a special report this week titled “Miscalculating Math.” It has resources for teaching math and ideas for math. In U.S. News and World Report’s article U.S. Teens’ Reading and Math Scores Feature Largest Declines Ever by Lauren Camera published June 21, 2023, stated that math scores declined the largest in over 50 years. Reading scores also fell. The average score fell 7 points in reading and 14 points in math. How do we improve the teaching of math?

The book Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead and Live without Barriers by Jo Boaler has a growth mindset approach to instruction, especially math. She even states in the book, “Many children grow up thinking that either you can do the math, or you can’t” (p.4). If we think about math as only right or wrong, it stifles our thinking and freezes what we can do. Many authors and educators are discussing and implementing a growth mindset learning environment. It is important to use the growth mindset, especially in math. In math many times most think that there can only be one right answer and one way of getting to the answer. But we see from Jo Boaler that having a growth mindset specifically in math is what is needed.

Growth mindset thinking can start very small. It is really instilling in the children that no matter what comes up you can overcome the issues. You may need support and to ask questions, but nothing is too big to figure out. Also, there is not one way to get the answer. Explain to the students showing your process of thinking is critical.

Teaching math sometimes is very hard to get students excited about the subject. Especially if many students do not feel successful in that subject. The first part of getting students excited about the subject is for the teacher to be excited. Next is how math is a puzzle. When children see how percent is related to decimals and fractions it can be a real eye-opener. All math is interrelated and as educators, we need to show the students how cool math can be. Understanding mathematics concepts can build confidence and knowledge. Many times, students feel that math is not thrilling as other subjects. So, let’s make math more thrilling and capture the students’ attention. That is the first step to increasing the scores in math.