If you asked your students to name a Black Mathematician, could they?

There is a serious issue happening in our students from underrepresented groups… they don’t see themselves as mathematicians. I believe that is due in part to the fact that we don’t teach them about mathematicians that look like them. I mean, do we even teach about mathematicians?
So, I’m on a mission to ensure my students find role models in math, people that can inspire them to think critically and set goals to reach high in math.

So, we are going to start with 7 powerhouse Black Mathematicians. One that is a football player, another that loves to tinker from an early age, and another that invented water gun. These mathematicians’ stories broke glass ceilings of gaining the first PhD in mathematics, worked on space ships, and trail blazed at NASA. Find out all about each of them here!

Why teach Black History Figures?

If you’re here you likely already believe that teaching & celebrating Black History is important. Maybe you’re wondering why your students need to know about these Black Leaders in math.

First, Black History is OUR history. Black History should be taught in all subjects and in all parts of the day. Add in an extra recognition and celebration in February.

Second, celebrate Black Greatness and Excellence as part of teaching Black History. I believe that looks like sharing influential and inspiring leaders from all professions and disciples. Too often our students don’t see themselves represented in the STEM field.

It is my goal that my students both see themselves and people that are different than them represented in all the parts of my class. So, I incorporate Black History Figures from the field of math into our celebrations and studies.

What is a Mathematician?

Have you asked them what they think a mathematician looks like? In my experience, students often don’t have a clear definition for what a mathematician is or even a vision of what they look like.

Here’s what I do: (you can read more about this lesson here)
I ask students to reflect on what they think a mathematician is by drawing a picture (see photo above). Then we start to make a list or web of all the things we think a mathematician does. At some point we arrive at the fact that WE ARE ALL mathematicians and add the things we do in class to the web. We go back to our drawings and add pictures of ourselves.
After this lesson we start getting to know mathematicians by reading their inspiring words through these quote posters.

Why teach Black History Figures in Math?

You see, I don’t just teach math. I teach little people. I’m on a mission to ensure those little people leave my class not only as mathematicians, but as good people. I want my students to live in a world, to MAKE A WORLD, where every person is represented. So, in math we all belong… and one way I create that sense of belonging is being sure to include texts, tasks, and quotes that represent all folks.

How can you teach Black History Figures in Math?

I have 3 suggestions for how you can teach and celebrate Black History Leaders this month and hopefully all year.

#1 Start your Class with a Black History Figure’s Quote

I use these slides to start every math class. These reflection quote slides provide opportunities for my students to reflect on Black History Figure’s inspiring words. Through these reflections students start to develop their math identity. I believe that if we are not teaching students the character traits and mindsets to do the work of the real world, then we aren’t preparing them. I have witnessed in my own classroom the power of taking time to reflect, discuss, and goal set. So, I suggest investing the time to allow students to reflect and in turn gain so many valuable experiences and skills.

#2 Black Leaders in History Biography Project 

Create a biography project that allows your students to synthesize the information from their research a Black History Leader in Math. Ask students to start their research by reading one of these biographies (found here). The accompanying graphic organizers can help students gather information to use in the creation of their final product.  Students could find an online source and read additional texts to support these articles. I like to have my students think about which Black Leader in math inspired and empowered them with this project. Then, have students share their completed biography project in a sharing party where students present their Black History Figure and learn from one another.

#3 Use the Book “Women Who Count: Honoring African American Women Mathematicians”

This book is a treasure trove of information and fun activities that help students connect to female Black History Leaders in math. If your students are studying Black Mathematicians this is a must have book. It is a great companion to these mini book or one page close reading biographies. You’ll find the word searches, puzzles, and games a fun addition to the biographies inside the book. I discovered many new women mathematicians while reading this book. Be sure to get a copy because I have a feeling it will be one you’ll reach for often.

Check out this blog post for more information about helping your students feel seen & represented in math class.

Want to know more about how you can create a math classroom where students are empowered to love and understand math? You need the Guide to Engaging Math Discussions Grab it for free right here. 

The post Black History Figures that Empower Math Students appeared first on Mona Math.

Tip #1: Consider your own Math Mindset

Teachers set the tone for the classroom.
You are 100% normal if you feel like you aren’t a math person or math just isn’t your thing. Let’s face it we were taught in a system that failed to help us see the beauty and artistry in math. Instead, we were taught that if you weren’t fast at the procedures then you just weren’t cut out for math.

I spent my entire life (until 5 years into my teaching career) convinced I wasn’t a math person. I would deliver the math lessons from the curriculum and watch the clock just counting the minutes until it was over. Then, I discovered that math is not about procedures and speed… and my mindset changed.

I discovered a style of teaching that allowed students to be in the driver seat- where they did the thinking and explaining. I listened and crafted the questions and set the conditions for students to discover a deep conceptual understanding. This style of teaching is based in the research found in Cognitively Guided Instruction. It is my passion and I would love to share more with you… more to come on that!

A Teacher’s Math Story…

I encourage you to spend time thinking about your math story. Even write it down or share it with a colleague.

Here are some prompts to consider:

• What are your memories of elementary math?
• How did your early experiences with math form your high school and college experiences?
• When did math feel good? When did it feel bad?
• What helped you learn math?

Knowing your own math journey and how your mindset for math was formed will help you develop a classroom that ensures students can fall in love with math.

Tip #2: Real Life Math Role Models Build Positive Mindset for Math

Math is everywhere in the real world. Students need to see the people who do math everyday in the real world. Often when we ask our students what does a mathematician look like they have no idea. We want them to see themselves. We want them to see people that look like them- women, Latino, Black, gay, disabled, and so much more. Everyone needs a role model.

I want students to see ALL the math people that have come before them so they can actually see themselves as the math person they are. In order to do that, they must have models that look like them. It is my goal to show my students the greats that have come before them that achieved brilliance in the math field.

Every single one of our students already is a math person. SAY IT AGAIN!
Every single one of our students already is a math person.
So, let’s create the classroom where each child see themselves and people that look like them as math people!

These posters make the perfect display for your classroom. This is a growing bundle, grab it right here on TPT!

My students and I use these biographies* to start our conversations about what it means in the real world to be a mathematician. Their mindset shifts from “I don’t need math” to “Wow, if she can maybe I can?” or “Wait, building rockets is math?”

*These biographies are designed for 4th-8th graders. However, there are also primary biographies and graphic organizers designed for 1st-3rd graders.

Tip #3: Lessons to Build Math Mindset

Reflect on Math Mindsets

Teacher Reflection:

What does a 3rd grade mathematician look like at the end of the year? (Insert the grade you teach).
What do you want these little ones to be able to do?
What will their mindset for math be at the end of the year?

Take sometime to think about this. I encourage you to write down 5 things you want your mathematicians to be by the end of the school year.

By considering what you want the end product to look like, sound like, be like, you’ll be able to develop a classroom culture to foster the necessary learning.

Student Reflection:

Survey to Assess Math Mindset

At the start of the year I use this math survey to build my understanding of each student’s math history and mindset. I write more about how I use the survey in this post.

What is a mathematician?

Ask your students to consider what a Mathematician is. Have each student create a web or a list of all the things they think a mathematician can do.
I like to contextualize this for the grade I am teaching- so “What can a 3rd grade mathematician do?”

Having a positive mindset toward math is all about dispelling the lies that we hold about math. Like… speed is important or there is only one correct way to solve a problem. When we help our students develop a full description of a mathematician’s qualities we help our students see they already have many qualities of a mathematician.

In this activity above, I ask students to make a web of what a mathematician is to them. They start by adding phrases and words. Then they keep this in their math folder and we add to it.

• When we work in groups to solve a challenging problem we get out our definitions and add “work in groups”.
• When we see a pattern that makes a problem type easier to solve we get out our webs and add “finds patterns”.
• When we work on a problem over multiple days that is hard to solve, we add “persevere”.

This is ongoing formation and revision of our definition of a mathematicians demonstrates to students that our mindset is ever changing.

If you’re interested in trying this activity with your students grab it from my little shop on TPT along with detailed lesson plans for only $2.

Make a display to Build Math Mindset

Math Teaches Us To…

If you’re like me, you like EASY & cute bulletin boards and displays. I created this “MATH Teaches us to…” display for my door. It was a huge hit with students, staff, and families. This display started lots of important conversations. I love this type of open ended display because it leaves room for us to build our definition together. It actually turned into something we added to for months.

I’d love to gift this beauty to you. Drop your name and email address here to download your free copy!

Math Affirmations to build a Growth Mindset

I use these affirmation posters to build my students math mindset. I usually create a space in the room where I hang them all. Then, we will refer to them through out the year in different ways. We use them to reflect, goal set, etc. Read more about how I use them here. You can also grab the math affirmations I use in my classroom from my little shop on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Math Norms Display to build Math Mindset

I think my math norms are one of the best ways I build a math growth mindset with my students. I believe these phrases to my core. I use them to frame every single conversation we have in our classroom.

If you don’t have norms, I encourage you to consider adding them to your classroom. Not sure where to start? Start right here!

Did you get what you need?

If you’re looking for more a help with building your ideal math classroom culture and helping students develop a growth mindset in math… I CAN HELP! I have my favorite 10 ways to develop classroom culture in math that I would love to share with you. Leave your name and email address here & I’ll email it to you!

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The post Math Mindset: 3 Tips to Build Positive Math Mindset appeared first on Mona Math.