By Jancey Clark,
posted November 20, 2017 —
In part 1 of this blog series, we focused on the
need to build a school culture in which mathematical
thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted. In part 2, we looked at Making Thinking
Visible routines that can support rich mathematical understanding and
discussion. In this final post, we will examine how to develop students as
powerful mathematical thinkers and learners, by leveraging Ron Ritchhart’s
Eight Cultural Forces.
What do you value? The
beliefs, messages, and behaviors that you value work together to create
classroom culture. If you value dispositions, such as the ability to be reflective,
collaborative, or imaginative, then you will provide multiple opportunities for
students to develop these dispositions, so that they become ingrained, or
enculturated, into your classroom. As Vygotsky noted, “Children grow into the
intellectual life of those around them.” How can we surround our students with
a rich intellectual life? What are ways that we model deep thinking and show
that we value a culture of learning?
By focusing on the Eight
Cultural Forces, we can identify concrete ways to transform the culture of math teaching
and learning in our schools. You will find that the forces overlap and interact together; they should
not be seen as a checklist, and there is no one force that is more important than the others.
The first four forces are perhaps a good starting place, as they help build a foundation. Once
this foundation is in place, planning lessons and experiences that incorporate
the remaining four forces will become easier.
Expectations. This does not refer to
our expectations of students but our
expectations for students. To transform the
culture of math, we must communicate our expectations for students: they will focus
on deep learning, rather than just completing work; they will be able to learn both
independently and collaboratively; and they will learn from their mistakes and persist through
challenges.
Language. Our words have the power to define the
culture of the classroom. What language would a mathematician use?
Do your students have the opportunity to speak the language of math? As students work
through problems, note and name the strategies and dispositions used. When we intentionally
and explicitly communicate the types of thinking being used, students develop their
metacognition and demonstrate these behaviors more frequently.
Time. Are your math values and beliefs reflected in the
way your math class is structured? Would students be able to
identify what is valued? When leading a whole-class number talk, give students wait time to
think before they share. Take the time to fully explore one rich problem rather than zooming
through a dozen surface-level problems. Students should leave the math class
feeling energized and excited, not stressed and overloaded.
Modeling. As teachers, we are very familiar with
instructional modeling; however, this doesn’t shape the culture of the
classroom. We must model our own thinking dispositions, calling attention to times that we
are reflective, creative, or taking risks. Be authentic; when you share your own struggles
and passions as a thinker and learner, students will feel safe to do the same.
Opportunities. Rather than planning
lessons and assignments that ask students to demonstrate only content
knowledge, plan opportunities that allow them to challenge misconceptions, build
evidence to support a claim, or consider multiple strategies. Powerful learning opportunities are
low-floor, high-ceiling problems in which students need to apply content and skills in new
ways, to solve authentic problems.
Routines. In a well-managed classroom,
established routines are everywhere, from how to clean up
manipulatives to how to work together in a small group. Consider the power of adding visible thinking and
learning routines: Intentionally and consistently plan when and how to use these routines, and
they will become a pattern of behavior.
Interactions. This is the force that
has the most impact on the culture of a math classroom. Positive interactions and
relationships show “a respect for and value of one another’s contributions of ideas and
thinking in a spirit of ongoing collaborative inquiry” (Ritchhart 2002). The most powerful learning
opportunities arise when students learn from one another. To achieve this, we must create an autonomous learning environment
in which students feel that their thinking is valued.
Environment. The
physical environment of the classroom can enhance learning and build culture.
Student thinking and learning should be visible throughout the classroom.
Learning is dynamic;
create a space that is flexible and responsive to the changing needs of your
learners. If you want to truly transform the way math is taught and
learned, focus on the culture first.
Your turn
How are you transforming the culture of
math teaching and learning at your school this year? Use
the comment section below to share your ideas and plans for transforming the culture
at your school, or join us on Twitter @TCM_at_NCTM using the hashtag #TCMblog.
Jancey Clark is an
elementary school teacher and instructional coach, passionate about
personalized learning for both students and teachers. In her current role as
Elementary School Learning Coach at the American International School in Riyadh
(AIS-R), Clark facilitates professional learning through workshops, coaching
cycles, and team planning. As a member of the NESA Mathematics Collaborative
Core, she helps develop and promote professional learning opportunities in
mathematics for the NESA community. When she is not learning with colleagues at
AIS-R, she enjoys sharing and reflecting on learning through Twitter (@jancey5)
and her blog (EDventures in Coaching).