Classroom Community, Belonging and Positive Mathematical Mindset Strategies

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Setting up a classroom community, creating a sense of belonging, and building positive mathematical mindsets are critical components of a new school year. In my experience, this takes a lot of time, practice, modeling, and revisiting often. Each year students bring unique experiences and strengths so having a wide variety of strategies to be responsive to their strengths has been invaluable. 

Using the Positive Classroom Norms from Jo Boaler as a guide, these are some strategies I’ve found help build classroom community, a place of belonging and positive mathematical mindsets. 

Norm From Jo Boaler Strategies/Resources
Everyone Can Learn Math to the Highest Levels

  • No “math person”
  • Brains can grow 
  • Growth mindset
Mistakes are Valuable

  • Mistakes make your brain grow
Questions are Really Important

  • Why does this work?
  • Does this connect?
  • Does it make sense?
Math is About Creativity and Making Sense

  • Visual math
  • Share thinking, justification
  • Model, “That doesn’t make sense” metacognition
  • Manipulatives always to start
  • Estimate first
Math is About Communicating and Connections
Depth is More Important Than Speed 

  • Depth over speed
  • No more hand raising
  • Think time & talk with partner/group

Visible Random Grouping (information from Peter Liljedahl):
Math Class is about Learning, Not Performing

  • Math = learning, growing
  • Takes time and effort
  • Assessment for learning 
  • Self reflection
  • Setting learning goals

Laura Wagenman
VP Elementary