Empowering Teachers by Experiencing the Struggle in the Mathematics Classroom

Outline

1. Introduction and Session Goals

Content: Overview of session objectives: Understanding the struggles of math learners and discovering effective teaching strategies for teaching a specific math topic (participants will learn about it during the session)

2. Effective Instruction on a Specific Math Content Area (most adults do not know how to perform this; it has been chosen to make the simulation more effective for participants to actually struggle)

Hands-on activity with small-group collaboration to reinforce understanding, followed by peer discussion.

3. Simulated Struggling Learner Experience
Content: Participants learn the unfamiliar topic with effective instruction, simulating the cognitive challenges of struggling students.

Process: Peer-to-peer interaction to complete tasks and discuss struggles, followed by a reflective discussion on emotional and cognitive challenges.

4. Reflection and Group Discussion
Reflection on the experience of struggling, despite effective instruction, and how it mirrors students’ experiences in math classrooms.

Engagement: Group discussion on insights gained from the simulation and how to apply these lessons in the classroom.
Process: Think-pair-share activity, followed by a group discussion to foster diverse perspectives and peer-to-peer dialogue.

5. Exploring Effective Strategies for Struggling Learners
Exploration of effective strategies to support struggling learners, focusing on engagement, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction.

6. Takeaways and Application
Participants create a personal action plan for applying effective strategies to support struggling learners in their own classrooms.

Supporting research

Allsopp, D., & Ahlgrim-Delzell, L. (2020). Meaningful Math Instruction: A Guide for Educators. Corwin Press.

Boaler, J. (2016). Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching. Jossey-Bass.

Sousa, D. A. (2014). How the Brain Learns Mathematics. Corwin Press.

Burns, M. (2007). About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource. Math Solutions.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All. (2014).

Fosnot, C. T., & Dolk, M. (2001). Young Mathematicians at Work: Constructing Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction. Heinemann.