Mindset Mathematics

According to brains science research there is no such thing as a math person – anyone can learn mathematics to high levels. Mistakes, struggle, and challenge are critical for brain growth. Speed is unimportant in mathematics. Mathematics is a visual and beautiful subject and our brains want to think visually about mathematics. But scores of students hate and fear math or feel that they are just not “good” at math so they end up leaving school without an understanding of basic mathematical concepts. This math class is based on a unique, research-based visual approach to exploring the big ideas in mathematics, which is essential to future mathematics success.

In this 30 week class, we will use a hands-on approach to engaging students in reasoning through problems with probing questions and open-ended tasks. Activities will engage students’ interest and demonstrate ways that mathematics is important in daily life.

Examples of topics covered this year are learning to reason, convince and be skeptical,  building and designing with shapes and angles, making and naming number patterns, and seeing patterns inside numbers,

Dr. Jo Boaler, who is the originator of these mathematical concepts, is a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University. She serves as an advisor to several Silicon Valley companies and is a White House presenter on girls and STEM (Science, Technology, Engneering, and Math). 

This is meant as an enrichment math class and should not be used as a full mathematics curriculum. It complements and can be used alongside any current mathematics curriculum.

Homework: No homework will be required but students may wish to continue to explore ideas and concepts covered in class.

Prerequisite: It is highly recommended that students take the Elementary Math Games class before taking this class.

TIME: 12:55-2:25
TUTOR: Kathy Ethridge