This week's module has directed our attention to our current "math mindset" as educators, and that of our students. Videos confirmed that to a degree, we all still struggle with having a completely positive outlook towards this subject. It's important to reflect on how we may be feeling, so that we may make room for a shift in our perspective. With the season upon us soon changing, so too, can our mindset.
This past weekend, I had the lovely opportunity to attend a meditation retreat in Toronto where we honoured and welcomed the autumnal energy (despite this unsuitable hot, summer weather!) and began setting new intentions for the approaching months. As we gathered in a small, intimate circle, we were asked, "What are you harvesting this season?" Though the gentle whisps of the trees, the subtle chirps of the birds, and the harvested crops surrounding us on the farm may have inclined us to respond in a literal sense, we were called to look within, and respond in a way that would reveal our truest intentions. We were each given a sticky note and marker to record what we may have set out to do at the commencement of the year, the seeds we have planted, and are now "harvesting.'' Who or what supported us along the way to reach this season of harvest, and revel in its abundance? We then placed our notes into the basket and anonymously read someone else's note. Strangely enough, the note I read aloud completely resonated with me. It said "Seasons change. Crops flourish, others don't. But a new season will always come." Seasons change. Ah, yes. When I was a little girl, and still, to this day - I always perceived September as another "New Year." A time to reflect on the year thus far, and a time to set new intentions for the promised opportunity on the horizon.
Of course, being an educator, I reflected today about what this season can mean for students. Some students will enter this season with a renewed sense of courage and motivation to pursue a deeper understanding in their personal areas of weakness, the "unflourished crops." This could very well be mathematics - but it can also be language class, social studies, or science. What's unfortunate is that these new intentions can easily become distant if we meet them with poor language.
Just as the "Messages About Math" video informed us, we must be careful with our words, for they hold so much power within them. If we praise our students for their intelligence, saying "You are so smart! You got this!", they may develop a fixed mindset where they will solely depend on correct answers, as opposed to completely understanding the question being asked. And although the seasons around us may change, a deepened understanding can remain with us, if it is reached. Therefore, it is extremely important we mindfully choose encouraging language that will best support our students through the challenges on their journey. We want our students to rise to the challenges given - not to avoid them for fear of how they measure up relative to others.
In class, an interesting activity was presented to us, the "dot" activity. This was to practice the concept of subtizing, the ability to see a small number of objects and know how many there are without the need to count. This is a fundamental skill students should grasp when learning to understand numbers. After all, dots are recurring in many games we play, such as dice for board games, concentration cards, or dominos. Dr. Mina showed us a photo of dots, but kept it on the screen for about a millisecond before skipping to the next slide.
We were then asked to estimate how many dots appeared. Encouraging us to design a "shape" in our minds, some drew them on the board. One person grouped the dots together in a way that made her visualize a lady wearing a hat, others visualized a sail boat. I think this would be a great diagnostic activity to do with our students, especially towards the beginning of the year, as it will prove that mathematics is a very creative and visual subject - every one perceives it differently. This means it can adhere to the diverse learning styles in the classroom; reassuring the students that there are indeed many paths that may lead to the same destination. In hopes that this will forge a growth mindset; one that is deeply rooted in acceptance of challenges and openness to possibility, let us remember, too, that the crops of the Earth never think of competing to those next to them. They simply find comfort and succumb to the conditions of the Earth - the soil, the water, and the care. We, as educators, must cultivate and fertilize this type of care, so that our student's knowledge and understanding in mathematics (and in every subject) can grow in abundance! There is always so much to learn from nature. As you can see, I am a firm believer in this.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time,
have a beau-tea-ful afternoon!
Miss Capano
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| Photos taken by me. |
Of course, being an educator, I reflected today about what this season can mean for students. Some students will enter this season with a renewed sense of courage and motivation to pursue a deeper understanding in their personal areas of weakness, the "unflourished crops." This could very well be mathematics - but it can also be language class, social studies, or science. What's unfortunate is that these new intentions can easily become distant if we meet them with poor language.
Just as the "Messages About Math" video informed us, we must be careful with our words, for they hold so much power within them. If we praise our students for their intelligence, saying "You are so smart! You got this!", they may develop a fixed mindset where they will solely depend on correct answers, as opposed to completely understanding the question being asked. And although the seasons around us may change, a deepened understanding can remain with us, if it is reached. Therefore, it is extremely important we mindfully choose encouraging language that will best support our students through the challenges on their journey. We want our students to rise to the challenges given - not to avoid them for fear of how they measure up relative to others.
In class, an interesting activity was presented to us, the "dot" activity. This was to practice the concept of subtizing, the ability to see a small number of objects and know how many there are without the need to count. This is a fundamental skill students should grasp when learning to understand numbers. After all, dots are recurring in many games we play, such as dice for board games, concentration cards, or dominos. Dr. Mina showed us a photo of dots, but kept it on the screen for about a millisecond before skipping to the next slide.
We were then asked to estimate how many dots appeared. Encouraging us to design a "shape" in our minds, some drew them on the board. One person grouped the dots together in a way that made her visualize a lady wearing a hat, others visualized a sail boat. I think this would be a great diagnostic activity to do with our students, especially towards the beginning of the year, as it will prove that mathematics is a very creative and visual subject - every one perceives it differently. This means it can adhere to the diverse learning styles in the classroom; reassuring the students that there are indeed many paths that may lead to the same destination. In hopes that this will forge a growth mindset; one that is deeply rooted in acceptance of challenges and openness to possibility, let us remember, too, that the crops of the Earth never think of competing to those next to them. They simply find comfort and succumb to the conditions of the Earth - the soil, the water, and the care. We, as educators, must cultivate and fertilize this type of care, so that our student's knowledge and understanding in mathematics (and in every subject) can grow in abundance! There is always so much to learn from nature. As you can see, I am a firm believer in this.
What are you harvesting this season?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time,
have a beau-tea-ful afternoon!
Miss Capano
Wow! Reading your blog post was an inspiring story Miss Capano! I absolutely loved reading about your meditation retreat. The question, "what are you harvesting this season?" was so inspiring! Like you, I hope to harvest young minds with positivity! Positive attitudes can inspire students to achieve greatly, and that starts with a positive mindset, like you've noted.
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