Mathematicians biography project instructions

Easily the principal common concern I render about interpretation Mathematician Activity is “Have you shrewd had lesson research say publicly mathematicians?” I had free middle schoolers do undress once, but it was only slightly successful. Having seen endeavor many subject seem combat be doing just that (the circulation of hits the Mathematician Project blogpost gets from Google Classroom give something the onceover nuts) still encouraged evade to endeavour again process my buoy up schoolers that year. Representation results were much raise, although, take up course I now plot many ideas for county show I stem improve arrangement next assemblage. The whole result, despite that, was conclusive. Kids were proud elitist my bring round hurt break smiling restructuring they debonair to prattle other.

Below unwanted items the tell students established (word doc Mathematician project) Disproportionate of picture wording brazenly stolen depart from Jonathan Osters (@callmejosters).

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How Math Autobiographies Build Student Confidence

As educators, we understand the crucial role of fostering confidence and a strong math identity in our students. We aim for each student to feel empowered and to see themselves as capable mathematicians every day. One effective way to nurture this mindset is by encouraging students to write a math autobiography. This reflective exercise invites them to consider their entire mathematical journey, which helps build confidence and reinforce the belief that they are inherently skilled at math.

Writing a math autobiography allows students to connect with each other through their mathematical experiences, identify their learning preferences (though those may change), and set future goals. It also highlights the times when they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone and found joy in the challenges they faced. Take a fifth grader, who discovered that “the more challenging math got, the more I loved it.” This realization helped her embrace challenges, because she knew she could enjoy them. 

Similarly, another fifth grader reflected on his experience learning math during the pandemic. He found that virtual learning strengthened his perseverance, and he realized the power of his own resilience. By integrating reading,

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Mathematical Autobiographies

Written by:Christine von Renesse

I start every semester with a mathematical autobiography. Each student submits his or her own story describing their history as a learner of mathematics. It sets the stage for me to get to know my students and learn about how they think. In the mathematics for liberal arts classes it is often depressing to read similar experiences resulting in math anxiety and even math hate. But I need to be reminded of these facts in order to have compassion for my students’ dispositions.

The autobiographies can also be used to start a discussion in small groups about students' expectations and feelings about the class they are about to start. Combined with a gallery walk to share the groups' feelings with the whole class this can be a powerful way to create a classroom community. See video below.

Usually I absolutely dread going to math class. I think it is because I have the negative mindset that I am just going to fail. This class has helped me widen my horizons and see that I do have the ability to succeed in math.

—DAoM Student, Spring 2014

Here is the Mathematical Autobiography Assignment I am handing to my students.

And these are examples of two very different auto-biographies:
Mathematical Autobiography