Growth Mindset In Math.

Last time, we looked at misconceptions regarding growth mindset versus fixed mindset. Today, we will look at the topic specifically in regard to math since it is a subject where many parents perpetuate a fixed mind set. We know that students with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities, intelligence, or talents are fixed and cannot be changed.  Students with a growth mindset believe this talents and abilities can be developed with good teaching, effort and perseverance.

It has been found that students who have a growth mindset are more willing to put in effort even when they struggle or fail. In addition, they are able to stay focused on what they are learning. Students with a growth mindset tend to do better in math and are more engaged in the lessons. 

There are ways to help students develop a growth mindset. First of all, Jo Boaler’s website Youcubed.org has some really nice material on working towards a growth mindset there. There are videos, printed materials and more that can be used in the classroom.  In addition, there are some great rich open ended tasks  on the site to be used in class.

In addition, there are things one can do to help encourage a growth mindset in our students. The first thing is to introduce students to the idea that the brain has the ability to grow. This can be done by showing a clip from the YouTube video “The Neuron Song” for younger students or a clip from the BBC documentary “The Human Body” for older students. This introduces students to brain neuroplasticity.

Second, show how mistakes can be used to promote brain growth. If you as the teacher make mistakes, take time to show students how you can learn from the mistake. Spend time during class to analyze typical mistakes and show them how to analyze their own mistakes. Create a culture that celebrates mistakes and learning from them.

Third, instead or relying on closed traditional problems, expose students to open ended, rich tasks. Ask students if they can solve a problem in two different ways. Learn how to take traditional problems and change them into open ended problems for students  to practice. Give them challenges such as take four 4’s and any operation to find 1 to 20. An example for that would be 4/4 times 4/4. That is not the only solution, just one.

Remove the emphasis on speed. Teach students strategies to use and emphasis that learning to use these strategies are more important than quickly finding an answer. Assign few problems and insist students justify their answers or find multiple answers. Throw in a couple of reflective questions that make them think about what they’ve learned, etc.

Finally, be mindful of your attitude and watch the wording you use in class. In addition, teachers need to make sure they do not show a fixed mindset even vaguely because students will pick up on that. If we want students to change their mindset, we have to model the appropriate ways so students see the growth mindset in action.

With the new school year starting, it is the perfect opportunity to begin the year with activities designed to help students develop a growth mindset. This is especially important because many students have gotten behind, are aware of it, and feel as if they cannot do the math. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear. Have a great day.