- Title: Mathematical Mindsets
Banish math anxiety and give students of all ages a clear roadmap to success
Mathematical Mindsets provides practical strategies and activities to help teachers and parents show all children, even those who are convinced that they are bad at math, that they can enjoy and succeed in math. Jo Boaler—Stanford researcher, professor of math education, and expert on math learning—has studied why students don't like math and often fail in math classes. She's followed thousands of students through middle and high schools to study how they learn and to find the most effective ways to unleash the math potential in all students.
There is a clear gap between what research has shown to work in teaching math and what happens in schools and at home. This book bridges that gap by turning research findings into practical activities and advice. Boaler translates Carol Dweck's concept of 'mindset' into math teaching and parenting strategies, showing how students can go from self-doubt to strong self-confidence, which is so important to math learning. Boaler reveals the steps that must be taken by schools and parents to improve math education for all. Mathematical Mindsets:
-
-
- Explains how the brain processes mathematics learning
- Reveals how to turn mistakes and struggles into valuable learning experiences
- Provides examples of rich mathematical activities to replace rote learning
- Explains ways to give students a positive math mindset
- Gives examples of how assessment and grading policies need to change to support real understanding
Scores of students hate and fear math, so they end up leaving school without an understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Their evasion and departure hinders math-related pathways and STEM career opportunities. Research has shown very clear methods to change this phenomena, but the information has been confined to research journals—until now. Mathematical Mindsets provides a proven, practical roadmap to mathematics success for any student at any age.
- Important aspects (quotes): Jo Boaler is a leader in mathematics education. Her closing words in the intro summarize why this book is important: “Relatively small changes in teaching and parenting can change student’s mathematical pathways, because the new knowledge we have on the brain, mindset, and mathematics learning is truly revolutionary.”
This book has many specific case studies and specific ideas for what to do in the classroom. One of the appendices contains “Setting up Positive Norms in Math Class” which include the following:
-
-
Everyone can learn math to the highest levels
-
Mistakes are valuable
-
Question are really important
-
Math is about creativity and making sense
-
Math is about connections and communicating
-
Math class is about learning not performing
-
Depth is more important than speed
-
- The Brain and Mathematics Learning
- The Power of Mistakes and Struggle
- The Creativity and Beauty in Mathematics
- Creating Mathematical Mindsets: The Importance of Flexibility with Numbers
- Rich Mathematical Tasks
- Mathematics and the Path to Equity
- From Tracking to Growth Mindset Grouping
- Assessment for a Growth Mindset
- Teaching Mathematics for a Growth Mindset
Books like this: Mindset: the New Psychology of Success (Dweck, 2007), Small Teaching (Lang, 2016)