#INspirEDmath
January 2021, Volume 28
This Is Your Year
Do you remember the poster with Norman Vincent Peale's famous words, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars"? I bet we all know someone who has that displayed in their classroom right now. I personally like Bruce Arians' (head coach in the NFL) version, "no risk it, no biscuit". Whichever version you prefer, the words are simple, yet profound. What stops you from taking instructional risks?
In our first issue of 2021, we will outline 10 encouraging ways to help you shape or shift your perspective on what it means to be a caring teacher, engaged colleague, and the best version of your professional self to support all students.
Activity of The Month - Fostering Student Identity For Productive Struggle
If we want to take instructional risks we have to believe our students will support us, catch us if we fall, think flexibly and creatively, persevere. In John Sangiovanni's 2020 book, Productive Math Struggle, six actions are outlined to support student perseverance. Action two is all about fostering students' mathematical identities. The big ideas are:
- We all have math identities
- We need to spend time thinking about our math identities
- Student math identities are unique and dynamic
- Teachers must know their students' math identities
- Teachers need to take time throughout the year to learn about student math identities
Knowing these big ideas can help you build a strong, supportive community.
Elementary Activity - My Math Superpower
- Give each student an enlarged photo of themselves
- Students add an eye mask and cape (typical superhero attire)
- Students respond to the prompt, "My math superpower is..."
- Display posters within the classroom to build community and provide a constant reminder of all the strengths students have
Secondary Activity - My Math Timeline
- Students record substantial moments in their math journey (something from each grade or simply any moment they recall, regardless of grade)
- Students provide brief descriptions of some of their more impactful moments
Be sure to read every single timeline and respond. If comfortable, students can share their timelines with the class to further build trust and community.
10 Encouraging Ways to Shape or Shift Perspective
Collaboration
The Power of Perspective
- Recognize triggers and challenges - Identify people or experience that feel challenging. Now identify positive outcomes that made these people or experiences not feel so challenging. It may be hard because your negative experience has narrowed your perspective but finding the positive can help widen it once again.
- Show your students a different view - while in the classroom or on a Zoom meeting with your students discuss how each person has a different view and we all approach life this way. Discuss how this relates to feelings of frustration or failure and ways to overcome. Togetherness can transform the group and help to begin to see each other in a different way.
- Think fresh - always think of ways to bring fresh ideas to your classroom. Whether it be changing the order of the day, encouraging the use of nicknames, using props connected to content, offering silly greetings or gestures to welcome students, the possibilities are endless.
Try Something New
Give Yourself Permission
Revise the Instructional Calendar
Intentional Self-Care
Circle of Control, Concern, and Influence
Funneling vs. Focusing
Nix the Tricks
Growth Mindset
Video of the Month
Opportunities for the Field
Keep Indiana Learning
Interested in becoming a KInL contributor? KInL was designed to provide interactive, on-demand, professional development for leaders, educators, student service professionals, families, students, and community partners across Indiana. KInL has a desire to not only provide resources for education but also create a space for educators to connect, share, and learn. Through the GEER Grant, KInL ia ble to financially compensate contributors to their professional development library. Learn more about how you can be paid to contribute to KInL or contact Laurie Ferry at lferry@ciesc.org. Follow KInL on Twitter @KeepINLearning and use #KeepIndianaLearning
2021 Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Inc. and Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Virtual Conference
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
IDOE NEWS
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Training is available for both teachers and administrators.
News from Teaching and Learning
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Educator Spotlight
Your IDOE Mathematics Team
Robin Conti
Email: rconti@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education
Phone: (317)-233-6098
Twitter: @RobinLConti
Emily Bruning
Email: ebruning@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education, West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317)-232-9142
Twitter: @MrsBruning