Building Positive Math Attitudes Training Series
April 17, 2018
The goal of this training series is to build the capacity of Washington educators to improve student attitudes and beliefs about math. Specifically, the series will use a train-the-trainer model to support Washington STEM instructional coaches and teacher leaders. Participants will learn how to conduct activities with upper-elementary math teachers that will help them implement strategies and interventions designed to improve students' attitudes about math. Each training session has an accompanying set of materials (agendas, handouts, guides for facilitating interactive activities, and PowerPoint slides) that synthesize research on specific math attitudes; teachers can use the materials to provide customized age- and setting-appropriate instructional support.
Kickoff Meeting
This webinar describes the project and introduces the partnership between REL Northwest and Washington STEM. We give an overview of the content that will be featured in the training sessions and describe how they will be conducted. The audience comprises instructional coaches and teacher leaders participating in the training series.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides
Improving Students' Attitudes and Beliefs About Mathematics
Session 1: Growth Mindset
In this session, REL Northwest defines growth mindset, highlights research on its importance for math outcomes, and offers actionable strategies for instilling a growth mindset for students in math classes.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides
Facilitator’s guide
Handout: Mindset Quiz
Handout: A Closer Look at Mindset Research
Handout: Two Mindsets
Session 2: Math Anxiety
In this session, REL Northwest discusses the roots of math anxiety, highlights research on the link between math anxiety and math performance, and provides actionable strategies for decreasing math anxiety.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides
Facilitator’s guide
Teacher Guide: Focused Breathing to Reduce Math Anxiety
Session 3: Sense of Belonging
In this session, REL Northwest defines sense of belonging, highlights research on its importance for math outcomes, and offers actionable strategies for promoting a greater sense of belonging for students in math classes.
Webinar recording
Presentation slides
Facilitator’s guide
Teacher Guide: Group Membership
A Teacher Guide: Normalizing Belonging Uncertainty
Session 4: Math Self-Efficacy
In this session, REL Northwest defines math self-efficacy, highlights research on the importance of self-efficacy for math outcomes, and provides actionable strategies for increasing students’ self-efficacy for math.