Today, we’re plunging into the fascinating world of Jo Boaler’s Math-ish. If you’re ready to transform the way you think about math education, buckle up—this is a good one!
Valuing Struggle in the Classroom
So, what’s the big deal about valuing struggle? Why should teachers care about this? Well, think about the times you’ve really learned something new. It’s usually when you’ve had to wrestle with it a bit, right? Pushing past that “I don’t get this!” moment leads to that sweet feeling of accomplishment. And guess what? You remember it better, too.
Jo Boaler dives deep into this in her chapter on valuing struggle. She challenges the old idea that struggling means you’re failing or weak. Instead, she shows that struggle is a key ingredient to growing and understanding things deeply.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Boaler builds on Carol Dweck’s influential work on the growth mindset—the belief that our abilities aren’t set in stone and that we can improve through effort and learning from mistakes. In contrast, a fixed mindset suggests that you’re either good at math or you’re not, which can be so damaging. Boaler even brings in neuroscience to show that our brains grow stronger when we struggle, forming new connections and pathways.
Practical Strategies for Teachers
So, how do we put this into practice? Boaler offers a ton of practical strategies:
- Create a Classroom Culture Where Mistakes Are Normal: Celebrate effort and make students feel safe taking risks. Share your own struggles and mistakes as a teacher to make learning more relatable.
- Use Growth Praise: Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “Wow, you really thought that through and tried different ways until you found one that worked!”
- Provide Challenging but Achievable Tasks: Find that Goldilocks zone—not too easy, not too hard—so students can engage in productive struggle.
- Teach Strategies for Dealing with Struggle: Don’t just tell them to embrace it; give them tools. Teach them how to break down a problem, brainstorm different approaches, or ask for help.
- Shift Focus from Speed to Depth: Encourage understanding over memorization. Slow down to give kids more time to explore and connect ideas.
Embracing “Ish” Thinking
Now, let’s move on to something else Boaler talks about—the world of “ish” numbers and shapes. This is all about embracing approximation, estimation, and being flexible with numbers—developing that crucial number sense. It’s about using math the way we do in real life, like estimating costs at the grocery store or adjusting a recipe on the fly.
The Power of Visuals and Data Literacy
Boaler emphasizes the importance of visual learning in math. Our brains are wired for visual information, and using visuals can make a huge difference in understanding. She suggests using a range of visual tools—from manipulatives like blocks to dynamic geometry software.
She also stresses the need for data literacy in today’s information-rich world. It’s about being able to analyze, see patterns, and make good decisions based on data. Boaler argues for a broader curriculum that includes data science and statistics to prepare students for the real world.
Transforming Math Education
Boaler encourages us to move away from traditional teaching methods that focus on memorizing procedures. Instead, she advocates for teaching that focuses on understanding big ideas and how they connect. This involves:
- Using Real-World Contexts: Connect math to students’ lives to show why it matters outside of school.
- Encouraging Discussion: Have students explain their thinking, share strategies, and even debate different approaches.
- Providing Diverse Practice: Go beyond repetitive drills with activities that make kids think deeply and apply their knowledge in new situations.
- Offering Meaningful Feedback: Give feedback that’s specific, actionable, and focused on the learning process.
Becoming a Change Agent: Five Principles
Boaler outlines five principles for becoming an effective change agent in math education:
- Believe in Yourself and Your Expertise: Trust your judgment and stand by your convictions, even when facing pushback.
- Practice Empathy: Listen carefully and try to understand other points of view, even if you don’t agree.
- Build a Network of Supportive Allies: Connect with people who share your vision and can support you when things get tough.
- Use Data and Evidence to Advocate for Change: Ground your arguments in research and gather data on what’s working.
- Develop a Warrior Mindset: Cultivate the courage and resilience to keep going, balancing strength with flexibility and compassion.
Real-World Examples
Boaler shares inspiring examples of schools that have successfully implemented her approaches:
- Railside School: An urban high school that revamped its math program with mixed-ability grouping, collaboration, and open-ended tasks, leading to significant improvements in student achievement.
- Phoenix Park: A school in England focused on understanding concepts, solving problems, and real-world applications, where students outperformed peers from wealthier schools on standardized tests.
Practical Classroom Strategies
Here are some strategies you can implement right away:
- Number Talks: Short, focused discussions where students share their thinking about numbers or math concepts.
- Open-Ended Tasks: Problems with multiple ways to solve them encourage creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Collaborative Learning: Use activities like think-pair-share and group projects to promote teamwork and communication.
- Visual Representations: Incorporate symbolic, visual, and verbal representations to help students see concepts in different ways.
- Feedback that Empowers: Provide meaningful, specific feedback that helps students reflect on their learning and understand how to improve.
Wrapping Up: Rethinking What It Means to Be “Good at Math”
One of the most striking aspects of Boaler’s work is how she reframes what it means to be good at math. It’s not about being fast or memorizing formulas; it’s about flexibility, creativity, and embracing struggle. Math isn’t just numbers and equations—it’s a way of thinking and solving problems that everyone can enjoy and excel at, given the right mindset and environment.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered a lot of ground today, from valuing struggle and growth mindset to embracing “ish” thinking and transforming math education. Jo Boaler’s Math-ish challenges us to rethink our approach to teaching math, making it more engaging, equitable, and relevant for all students.
So, to all our fellow educators and math enthusiasts out there, let’s take these ideas and bring some of Boaler’s magic into our classrooms. Let’s create learning experiences that are challenging and fun, rigorous and relevant, giving every student the chance to succeed.
If you’re inspired by these ideas and eager to dive deeper, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Jo Boaler’s Math-ish. It’s packed with practical strategies, real-world examples, and powerful insights that can revolutionize your classroom. Let’s create learning experiences that are challenging and fun, rigorous and relevant, giving every student the chance to succeed.