Chapter 6 focuses on the myth of the mathematically gifted student. Hmmm. . . that caught my eye, particularly since my district does identify students as gifted in particular subjects. “The US education system focuses on gifted students who are given different opportunities, not because they show great tenacity and persistence but often because they are fast with math facts." (p. 94) Yikes! That is food for thought! And how often have I been guilty of emphasizing math fact speed? But even more concerning to me was the next quote:
Not only do our unlabeled students suffer, but it is a detriment to our students labeled "gifted" because they asuume math should come naturally to them. When they come to a difficult problem, they often quit and get more easily frustrated than my students who have to work harder and show persistence.
My Takeaway
It's all about meaning and relevance. Boaler suggests six equitable strategies to include & benefit all students. (And you can replace the word "mathematics" with any subject!)
1. Offer all students high-level content
2. Work to change ideas about who can achieve in mathematics
3. Encourage students to think deeply about mathematics
4. Teach students to work together
5. Give girls & students of color additional encouragement to learn math & science
6. Eliminate (or at least change the nature of) homework
This is a terrific video where Boaler demonstrates these strategies in an inquiry-based lesson to older students. (And in case you're noticing the "enquiry" spelling, I looked it up & that's how they spell "inquiry" in England!)
If your district or school mandates homework, make it meaningful. According to Cathy Vattertott (Educational Leadership, 2010), "Homework shouldn't be about rote learning. The best kind deepens student understanding and builds essential skills. There are five hallmarks of good homework:
- Clear purpose (not busy work)
- Efficiency (demonstrate student learning)
- Ownership (relevant & offer student choice)
- Competence (student can successfully complete without help)
- Aesthetic Appeal (“students at all levels are more motivated to complete assignments that are visually uncluttered, less information on the page, plenty of room to write answers, and the use of graphics. . .”)
Next Thursday, stop by for Chapter 7: From Tracking to Growth Mindset Grouping. This whole book is truly challenging my mathematics practices. How about you? Please chime in below!
This chapter really struck a chord with me too because in every district that I have taught in, students are identified as gifted in math or reading. I can remember times when I felt that a student was not really gifted in math, but he/she received the label because he/she was a quick thinker and could complete math problems faster than others.
ReplyDeleteYes! :( I've been sharing this with my staff to start the conversation!
DeleteDitto!! ^^^
ReplyDeleteWe need to break the mindset that fast thinkers are "gifted!" I loved all the strategies that this chapter provided for how to do that, and I can't wait to check out your math problem solving booklet, Kathie! I also made the questions from Chapter 6 and an earlier chapter into a simple homework reflection sheet that I linked as a freebie in my post...check it out!
I love that you made a reflection sheet!! Heading over to your blog now!
DeleteThis chapter rang true to me! Things that I suspected were damaging or at least fairly useless, the author confirmed - like advanced math classes and time wasting homework.
ReplyDeleteYep, I agree! Now we have to educate our families (& perhaps administration & other faculty members)
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