We work tirelessly to ensure our students feel safe to take risks in our math classroom communities.
But to achieve that safety, our students need to be fully seen for who they truly are. By using the words of Black Mathematicians and other diverse math leaders we can empower and inspire our students to feel like they belong in our math classrooms.
In This Episode About Black History Leaders We’ll Chat About:
- who we are teaching
- listening to student conversations
- doing the “get to know you” community building once a year
Month’s to be Aware of:
✨Black History Month- February
✨Asian Pacific American Month- May
✨Hispanic Heritage Month- Sept 15-Oct 15
✨Indigenous People’s Month- November
✨PRIDE- June
Want to Read More on Black History Leaders? 👇
It’s that time again… where we start to honor those underserved populations in certain months. Coming up, Black History Month.
Although, I firmly believe that these months are important in bringing awareness and honor to those people that have been historically under represented and under served in our society… it is my mission that those underserved people are represented fully in our classrooms daily.
The thing is…
We all have children that come from diverse backgrounds. Representation matters.
Some of our students don’t interact with people that are different than them regularly, representation matters.
Why?
Our students need to SEE themselves in our classroom.
When student see others that look like them, think like them, have a similar living situation they see themselves.
But Why Does That Matter?
Our students need to feel a sense of belonging before they can analyze or synthesize. Higher order thinking skills can’t come until basic needs are met. A basic need of humans is to feel like they belong, like they are safe.
WE can (and should) create a sense of safety and belonging in many ways. Things like…
-using math norms
-developing a growth mindset
-using reflections
-forging strong relationships with an among your students
-teaching students how to collaborate
Those are all ways we develop a classroom where students feel comfortable. A place where they feel like they can speak and will be listened to. Where they can relax because they know they won’t be judged or made fun of if they make a mistake or share something personal.
Let’s Connect All of This to Math 👇
Often we think this type of thing matters more in subjects like writing or reading when students will be sharing connections to the text or sharing a personal narrative they wrote about an important time in their life.
However, that’s just not true. We are ALL teachers of children, not curriculum or standards.
Our society needs people who are emotionally intelligent, confident, and relatable. That happens through teaching the whole child…. Seeing them for who they are and honoring them for their uniqueness.
That Brings Me To Another Point…
This is not about showing students who we want them to be, but instead SEEING them for who they are. The unique elements (good, bad, and quirky) of their identity. Yes, of course we have role models and people we want our students to aspire to be like… but this post is not about that. This post is about creating a space/classroom where students are honored for who they are.
How Can We Do That?
Sharing inspiring words and work of those that have come before us. I do this every day in my middle school classroom. We always start with a quote. It is such a quick and easy do-now that takes 5 minutes and really pays off in setting the tone for our work that day.
I really love using mathematicians!
WHY? Because mathematicians don’t get talked about enough. In fact, I bet your students couldn’t even name a mathematician if you asked them to. So, I say… let’s change that!
I like using quotes to start our math class from mathematicians that may or may not look like my students. People of various backgrounds, ages, and walks of life– as a way to show my students the possibilities for their own future. A way to show them the obstacles these people faced, the strategies they used to overcome them and what they accomplished.
3 Reasons Not to Save Talking About Black History Leaders for February
- The time is NOW to create a sense of belonging and safety
- Representation matters
- The possibilities are endless
Related Blog Posts:
👉🏾Black History Figures Inspire Math Classes (on MiddleWeb.com
👉🏾Black History Leaders that Empower Students (BLOG POST)
Black History Month People (BLOG POST)
3 Ways to Use Black History Quotes in Your Class
Related Resources:
🤍 Classroom Community Resource Bundle
🤍 Math Stories Autobiography Writing Project
Mentioned in the Episode on Black History Leaders:
🤍 Guide to Engaging Math Discussions
❤️ Mathematician Posters
🚃 Fun fact!! I live in Chicago, right next to the train. You’ll hear it a few times in the recording 🚂
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath