Get to Know Students as Mathematicians
Getting to know your students as mathematicians and understanding their math identities can help you plan effective differentiation and create a classroom community that supports students in productive struggle. As teachers, we can gather data about our students through observations, class performance, and by asking students to reflect upon themselves as mathematicians and share their unique math identities.
Surveys for Student Reflection
Here are three surveys students can complete to reflect on who they are as learners. Students shade the heights of the bars to represent how each criterion relates to them. Incorporating color and display elements can spotlight learners as mathematicians. This metacognitive reflection encourages students to create a voice and leave an imprint as learners. As teachers, we gain insight into their math identities and how we can best support them in the classroom.
1. My Math-o-Meter
Students can use My Math-o-Meter to rank their comfort level with each concept. It can highlight areas where students feel strong and areas where they may need more support.
2. The Math Survey: Show What I Know in Math
This survey helps students reflect on how they best learn math. It can reveal whether students learn best through visual aids, hands-on activities, or verbal instructions. As teachers, we can tap into our aspiring mathematicians' learning styles and support them through math challenges with intentional teacher moves.
3. MI Math Chart: To Show What I Know
The MI Math chart encourages students to reflect on and rate their learning preferences to demonstrate their understanding. This survey helps students identify their strengths across different intelligences, such as logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, and bodily-kinesthetic. Students become more aware of how they learn best, and teachers can offer multiple ways for students to access content to enhance learning.
Having students fill out these surveys at the beginning, middle, and end of the year can help them reflect on their growth and how they have evolved as learners. These surveys can also be shared with parents to help them understand their children's perception of themselves as learners. This can foster collaboration and home support. Click here if you want to try these surveys with your students.
Math Autobiographies
Have students reflect on their math experiences, the highlights and the challenges. Keeping the task open-ended allows students to express their thoughts in a manner that is natural to them. Have you ever written your own math autobiography to share with your students? Math autobiographies can be used to gain insights into students' perceptions about their journeys through math as you work to build a strong classroom community.
Journaling in Math
Have students reflect on the day's lesson or the content they are learning about. Try a 3-2-1 strategy where students jot down three things they learned, two connections they made to prior knowledge, and one challenge or question they encountered during the lesson. Changing up the prompts can help gain deeper insight. Keep journaling short and flexible to ensure it remains a manageable and meaningful task.
Classroom Observations
Observe and document how students engage in discussions and group activities. Note whether they sit back and listen to others or if they dominate the discussions. Pay attention to their willingness to persevere when faced with challenges. Assess if they can support their classmates without simply giving away the answers. Monitor their willingness to take risks and make mistakes in math.
Students as Mathematicians Posters
These 12 colorful and inspiring mathematicians' posters are the perfect way to remind your students that they, too, ARE mathematicians. Plus, you will find four Math and Me interest and attitude inventories! Click the image to take a peek.
Understanding students as mathematicians is a dynamic process that involves student reflection, data gathering, and thoughtful application of collected insight. As teachers, we can meet students where they are at in ways that complement their unique mathematical backgrounds and experiences.
