How can I create a safe learning environment for my students to develop Positive Math Mindsets? One of my research sources is Jo Boaler, her work with math learning resonates with me as a learner and a teacher. I became a teacher because school wasn't easy for me I had to work very hard(I still do) but I love to learn and embrace the challenge. Since I struggled I felt I could help other struggling learner and that is why I know I am where I am supposed to be at Valley Oak . For so many reasons our students have struggles some are not academic but many are and they benefit from our smaller learning environment. I have been part of a broken math system for many years working hard to help my students learn the math that was on our pacing calendars using the curriculum that our district instructed us to use., and for years I have watch my students feel frustrated and defeated. I have been searching for answers for years. When I was introduced to the work of Jo Boaler it was like my math teaching light bulb turned on. Her research into grow mindsets for math, students learning, math anxieties is all spot on. I September she released Algebra lesson designed to prepare students for success in Algebra. I have been using it and is so fun, collaborative, and visual for the students. One concept has students see that X can be anything before they start to solve for X so they understand X can have many values. Her website youcubed.org is full of visual collaborative assignments. She also offers classes and I took one of those classes and it really helped me understand how and why presenting these types of lessons has value to positive math mindsets. Then Napa Learns introduced me to Professor Chang at UC Davis and the C-stem computing and robotics curriculum. Then I watched this video and I thought these are my kids I need to try this. research.ucdavis.edu/harry-cheng-cstem/ That was the beginning of my journey as a computing and robotics teacher. I am in my second year of teaching math this way and I do think it levels the playing field and makes math more accessible to a large amount of my students. I am using this as well as Jo Boalers methods and I am using the research for these two professors who understand we need to present math in different ways to our struggling populations. Actually I think all students would benefit.
Just this week I found information about changes SFUSD has made in teaching math which is having very promising results in students success and completion of higher level math. They are not having any student take Algebra 1 until 9th grade and requiring all students take common core level math 6, 7, and 8. The results are impressive and it seems like a simple shift to make if it supports student learning and success. I have also gathered a few other articles and I need to set a weekend aside to dedicated to plowing through my research. I did forget my most important research source, my students they teach me so much everyday as we reflect on the learning in my class daily. I am becoming a better teacher by spending time asking them to reflect as well as my own personal reflection. I am learning so much and feel so good because I feel like the focus is on student learning and how they learn best and not on pacing.
3 Comments
Monica Knecht
10/14/2018 07:13:20 pm
Julie, I could totally relate to being a struggling student. Not necessarily in Math, but in reading. In the sixth grade and read, "Black Beauty". It was over 200 pages and when I went to do an oral book report to my teacher and realized that I had no idea what the book was about. I had no comprehension skills or strategies by 6th grade. There were no catches or assessments at the private school that I attended. I love doing the research of articles and books now as an educator to teach strategies and phonics and the need and purpose for comprehension. Sometimes I feel like struggling students make the most impactful teachers because they know the struggle.
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Jona Sandau
10/14/2018 08:24:52 pm
Julie, you inspire me as a teacher. I am really interested to know more about your classes and teaching methods. Your zest for Jo Boaler makes me want to learn more! It's so funny because every time I read a blog, I become so enthralled with that classmate's area of study that I want to hear so much more! My favorite part of your blog is that your greatest source for research is your students! I love that.
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Jennifer Perkins
10/16/2018 08:35:21 pm
Hi Julie! It is awesome that you are teaching the computing and robotics program! It sounds like such an engaging, meaningful, and fun program. I also enjoyed reading about how Jo Boaler’s Algebra lessons helped motivate and engage your students through providing collaborative lessons. I love how you said your students are your most important research source. I completely agree with that.
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Julie LovieJulie Lovie Is a Math and Science teacher at Valley Oak High School with 25 years experience in teaching at a continuation high school. Julie Also teaches at Napa valley Adult School in the High School Diploma Program. She is passionate about the environment, loves gardening, and learning. Archives
June 2019
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