Reflective Surveys for Students
It is important to get to know our students as mathematicians. Many teachers use reading surveys to learn about their students as readers. Why not apply the same concept to math? By surveying your students, you can gain valuable insights into their perceptions, preferences, and mathematical identities.
The Importance of Understanding Student's Math Identities
Every student has a unique math identity that is shaped by their experiences and perceptions of math. These identities evolve with new and different experiences they face when learning and using math. This identity influences how students interact, participate, and engage in the math classroom. By intentionally incorporating math surveys, we can help students become aware of their own mathematical perceptions and tailor our teaching to support their growth.
Surveys to Understand Your Students as Mathematicians
1. My Math-o-Meter
The My Math-o-Meter is an effective tool for students to self-reflect upon their comfort levels with various math concepts. The visual chart allows students to fill in the height of the bars that best reflect their perception and confidence in different areas of math.
2. Math Survey: Show What I Know
The Show What I Know survey helps students to reflect upon how they feel they best demonstrate their mathematical understanding by ranking their comfort level and filling in the height of the bars. Analyzing the responses to identify common themes and individual preferences can lead to intentional instructional decisions to support mathematicians. We want our students to tap into areas of strength and venture into areas that may not always be in their comfort zone to build confidence and foster a growth mindset.
Creating a Supportive Mathematical Community
These surveys should be intentional. These surveys create a voice for students as learners. Sharing these surveys with parents can provide insight into their child's perceptions to aid them in fostering support at home. Start building learning profiles for students early on and revisit them throughout the year to see how students are evolving as mathematicians. Do you want to try these surveys with your students? Click here.
If you click here you can find a post that includes a multiple intelligence survey similar to these. You will also find some other ways to tap into understanding your students as mathematicians.
What are some ways you get to know your students as mathematicians?
