Hello fellow teachers and parents,
Welcome to my new blog. After beginning on my journey towards receiving my graduate degree in "Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership" through Buena Vista University in August of 2015, I am at the end of my online courses. I will graduate on May 27, 2017. I wanted to create a blog to share with you what I have learned through my studies and research on how using specific interventions with a focus group helped to improve self-efficacy towards math, in the area of performance operations, by teaching them about having a growth mindset.
My small group intervention focussed on the foundations of number sense and problem-solving in the areas of real and complex numbers such as decimals and word problems. Through guided instruction in a small group setting students were taught through specific teaching strategies that included adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals, as well as solving word problems that included the use of decimals.
What are some ways that you have tried to build self-efficacy in your students and/or children? Were you successful? How have you tried to help your students and/or children increase academically in math? Were you successful?
Mrs. Gay ~
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your topic. Having been out of the classroom as an Instructional Coach this year, the subject I miss teaching the most is math. My go-to in building self-efficacy is a "math person" lesson. I ask the students if they are a "math person". Most students do not believe they are. Then I ask them why they think they are not a "math person". Students think that getting an answer wrong makes them bad at math. Or that taking a long time to solve a problem makes them bad at math. All of these things are completely and utterly untrue. Check out this video of Jo Boaler (Professor of Math Ed at Stanford University).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxru8H6XbR4
Students, teachers, and parents should watch it! Once kids understand how their brain grows, they will begin to see themselves as capable at math - they understand that their potential is limitless.
I look forward to future posts!
~Karissa Everson
Karissa,
DeleteThank you for your reply. I agree that most students do not believe that they are a "math person" and it is usually because it is too hard or too much work. I think to some degree what they really are doing is asking for help. One thing I have noticed over my last 12 years of teaching is that there are more and more students coming through sixth grade who do not have basic number sense. This leads to a lot of frustration when they come across math problems that are written in a way that assumes that the students know exactly which mathematical operation to use. The struggle is real. It makes that moment of true understanding even more special.
Students definitely need to understand the concept of the growth mindset. They do not have to love math, but they do need to learn how to persevere. I really enjoy seeing my students having that ah-ha moment.
What are some ways that you encourage parents who are frustrated with the "new" math and feel like they cannot help their children with their homework?
I look forward to reading more of your replies. Have a great weekend!
Chanell
Decimals and word problems are a struggle for many kiddos. I'm sure you will do a great job with teaching this topic!!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
DeleteWhy do you think a lot of students struggle with decimals and word problems? Do you think it has to do with common core? Or do you think it the lack of having basic number sense skills that causes kiddos to struggle in these areas of math? Do you think it has to do with their reading levels?
What are some strategies that you have tried to help kids with decimals and word problems?
The main thing I continue to try to do with my students is to be encouraging - especially when they are learning a difficult topic. Positive praise goes a long way with encouraging a student to continue doing something correctly. It is very discouraging to me when a student continually puts themselves down and has low self-confidence in their math abilities. Thanks for the video suggestion above. I plan on watching it to get more ideas of how to help my students.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
DeleteI agree with you that positive words of encouragement can go a long ways. I am reminded of a student who got a very low grade on his last math test. I told the class that those who did not get 80% or higher would would have a chance to fix their mistakes for half credit. However, this one student got frustrated at his score, threw his pencil, and then rolled up his test. I quickly decided that I needed to approach him very slow and calmly. I tried to encourage this young man to let me help him review what he needed to know so that he could then go back and fix his test. He finally let his guard down and let me help him. He ended up being a lot happier learning how to solve the problems and getting a better grade.
What are some interventions you have tried to help students be more successful with decimals and word problems? Are students likely to come in on their own time to get extra help from you for math?
How do parents respond to you when their children struggle with math? Do they ask you what they can do to help their kids? Or do they want to know why you have not spent more one-on-one time to help them?
I look forward to reading your reply. Have a great weekend!
Chanell
I enjoyed reading your blog. I teach 2nd grade. One way I try to ensure efficacy is through our data binders or as the kids know them "the smarty pants binders". These binders are individualized and keep track of their work all throughout the school year. They're motivating and allow me to give them support, constructive criticism, and praise. I love them and so do they!! Congrats on your masters degree.
ReplyDeleteBrooke,
DeleteThank you for your sweet comments. I love second grade. I did part of my student teaching with the same teacher I had for second grade. Then I did the other half with the same teacher I had for fifth grade. It was such a so real experience. I always thought I would end up teaching second grade, however I ended up teaching sixth grade instead. I could not imagine teaching any other grade.
Our school also has our students create data binders to keep track of goals, grades, and examples of work. This year is our first experience with creating digital portfolios and they love it. We have students share them with their parents during student led parent/teacher conferences. We all love this new method and so do the parents.
Congratulations on your masters degree too!! I cannot believe we are so close to completion and graduation!! Are you going to go to graduation?
Have a great weekend!
Chanell
I love your topic and what a great question for us to ponder. How I develop self efficacy in my classroom is by using an adaptive software called Math Prodigy. It sets a plan for students based on their needs or standards I assign. It offers incentives with an interactive avatar and battles similar to pokemon. The kids really enjoy it and I love that it sends me reports of their progress to keep them accountable.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and think you are doing a great job! Way to go!
I enjoyed reading your post and about your topic. I teach kindergarten so I am always trying to find ways to deepen math skills in my students. It is hard based on their ability levels and developmental levels, but I have tried some open-ended math questions getting students to think about combinations in math and more than one way to solve a problem. I have students work in cooperative groups and even do gallery walks to see if they can gather any new information. It has been eye-opening and exciting at the same time. Thanks for your thoughts!! We are so close to graduation now!!
ReplyDeleteKari Osborne
Yeah, Chanell, I am so proud of your work and getting your blog up and running!My favorite part of your blog is the mentioning of Carol Dweck and her "growth mindset!" Prior to grad. school, I had not read this book and now it has changed how I parent and teach! Every teacher must read Dweck's book, Mindset, if you have not already done so! It will change your outlook on dealing with students, and give the students the knowledge that you believe fully in them!
ReplyDeleteKristin,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words. I am very proud of you too! Can you believe we will all be done in 4 weeks? Way to go, friend!!
I, too, have enjoyed learning about having a growth mindset. Students can really build their self-efficacy when their teacher believes in them being able to learn.
Thank you for teaching me a lot about Carol Dweck. How do you get your staff to buy in to her philosophy?