Reflection 2: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!!

Mindset, Google Images 2017.

What stood out to me this week was the idea of MINDSET! It is imperative that we teach our students from an early age that everyone can have a math mindset. As future teacher's we need to foster a healthy learning environment that promotes math in a fun, positive, and logical way for our young learners. If we approach math from a negative point of view and see it as a scary subject to teach, then our students will carry this mentality on throughout their schooling. While participating in the online modules for Week 2, I was exposed to several excellent videos and ideas surrounding the topic of "GROWTH MINDSET vs. FIXED MINDSET". Below is a terrific example of how students may think when they possess either mindset. 

Growth Mindset. Google Images. 2017

Students need to be encouraged to keep on trying regardless of the consequences of making a mistake because in reality there are actually no consequences but simply growth!!! We can only learn from our mistakes and become greater individuals as a result. For example, our math class this week started off with another fun card trick. Our teacher encouraged us to think outside of the box and to simply try, try, and try again, the different ways that we could solve for the trick. In the beginning, I was hesitant at trying because I did not want to fail. However, after a few minutes of observing my peers attempting to solve for the trick, I understood that this mentality, "fear of failing" is exactly what is wrong with our mindsets/education system. Students are put under large amounts of pressure from both their parents and teachers to be perfect and successful in everything that they do. This pressure ultimately fosters a "fear of failing mindset" and it hinders our young students from trying anything new and making the mistakes that they need to help their brains grow. Students in all grades have a fear of being labelled "dumb or stupid" if they make a mistake, so instead, they simply don't try. This is WRONG, especially when teaching and learning math! Mistakes should be encouraged and therefore growth will be developed. Below is an excellent picture with 10 points for Coaching a Growth Mindset in our young learners. I think all teachers should keep these points in their repertoires for future use.

Coaching a Growth Mindset. Google Images. 2017 

I too was a student who once believed I could not change my math abilities. I had teachers who cared but did not make me see math in a way that we are learning it today. Math was a subject with one right answer and one right way to solve it. I was a concrete learner who could only solve my equations the way the teacher showed me and if I got the answer wrong I thought I was stupid. Now, in 2017, in my second year of teacher's college, I am finally seeing the light and understanding the importance behind fostering a student/classroom growth mindset towards math and even all learning! I highly suggest that if you do not understand the concept of a growth mindset that you check out Jo Boaler's videos on youtube, Growth Mindset for Math , it will truly change the way you look at math.

Thank you for viewing my blog this week! Tune in next time and follow my journey understanding/learning more about myself and more importantly, learning about math!

Cheers, Courtney!