Nearing the End

It is now with only 3 weeks of school left I reflect on the journey of growth mindset in a mathematical environment. Wow it has been fantastic. We have begun by trialling these new ideas such as thinking blocks. It is working out well, the students are enjoying the change from the fearful basic facts ladder. Students enjoy the environment that has been created where there is a big focus around the basics on growth mindset: taking risks, making mistakes is good, collaboration, low floor high ceiling entry points, and mixed ability. Readings to date have been influential as has the Jo Boaler course I have completed. I need to build on this for next year and hit the ground running in terms of setting up this environment. I believe the big challenge next year will be to get everyone on board. It will be very easy for some to hold on to the fixed mindset thinking and pedagogy that seems prevalent. It may be the fact that some will go against this and certainly some will be less professional about giving change a chance but these are the challengers that Jo Boaler has talked about.

Changed Focus

With a focus for our Math Focus Group based around growth mindset I feel it was important to focus around this as opposed to a flipped classroom, although this is still a feature in my math environment. I have presented some information with my developing understanding to the BoT and my peers. Although this is a new focus I have begun teaching the "Inspiration of Math" from Jo Boaler. Growth mindset is so powerful. I am very inspired to implement and make change within West Melton School. Once the Inspiration of Math weeks are over we plan on trialling "Thinking Blocks" to replace the basic facts testing that happens every week. This is based around seeing that the student can use strategies effectively to solve basic facts and not just memorize facts

Finally Nailed Down

My Inquiry question has bugged me for a while but I believe this is pretty important within my student's learning after assessing ways to improve their confidence and in turn motivation and knowledge. "WIll providing a flipped learning mathematical environment provide more able and confident learners?" I now must look at research to gather ideas in best ways to implement it. Pretty excited!

Still Undecided

With T1 nearing the end I have been torn for my Inquiry this year. I had come to WM School with not a lot of knowledge of the learning space or team I would be with so this has made it more difficult to pin point a focus. At present these are my ideas : Can BYOD engage learners more effectively? : MLE are they enhancing student outcomes? : How do I use e-learning to advance the learning of my ākonga/learners? I plan to do my Masters this year so I need my Inquiry to fit in with this so it is real and purposeful.