What is STEAM Education? (And Why Is It Important?)

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What is STEAM Education? (And Why Is It Important?)

What is STEAM Education and why is it important?

What is STEAM Education and why is it important? (Image: Mashup Math MJ)

Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.

-Sir Ken Robinson

In his acclaimed 2006 TED Talk titled Do Schools Kill Creativity?, Sir Ken Robinson concludes that 21st century education fails to cultivate creativity and actually makes students less creative by actively discouraging imagination and individualism. 

At the time of this post, Robinson's TED Talk has nearly 75 million views and has left many wondering how our schools can better promote creative thinking and foster a more imaginative approach to solving problems in all subjects.

While you are probably familiar with STEM—an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—you may not be so familiar with STEAM, where the added letter A stands for the arts.

In this post, you will explore the difference between STEM vs STEAM Education and why the extra letter makes a huge difference when it comes to fostering the type creative thinking and problem-solving skills students need to be successful in modern times.

What does STEAM stand for in Education? STEAM in education refers to the addition of the arts to the STEM movement as a way to foster creative thinking skills and ingenuity.

STEAM Meaning Education Explained

What does STEAM stand for in education?

STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

If our students are going to become effective problem solvers working in technical fields, then they'll need the creativity and critical thinking skills that are developed and enhanced through artistic pursuits in addition to the technical skills that are developed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses.

Many believe that the STEM movement falls short of this goal by not including the arts, which is why the STEAM movement was born.

The shift from STEM to STEAM in education is no small leap. Traditional education, which often devalues the role of the arts, is failing our students as other countries continue to outpace the United States in Science and Math.

The STEAM education meaning is more than just giving students opportunities to pursue art, performance, or music classes. Without the arts, STEM education is often a soulless institution focused on memorizing facts and procedures, taking standardized exams, and acquiring skills that have no perceived application to the real world.

The arts serve as the cohesive element that makes STEM learning accessible and inviting to students who are eager to apply their unique sense of creativity to solving real-world problems.

 

STEAM Meaning Education: Without the arts, the STEM movement falls short of giving students the skills required to succeed in the 21st century.

 

STEAM Definition Education

Complex modern problems, including climate change, social inequality, and divided political landscapes, will require strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The STEAM education movement aims to equip students with creative problem-solving skills by injecting an element of creativity and inventiveness into traditional STEM education.

While the emphasis on STEAM learning varies from school to school, the opportunities for exposing yourself to creative opportunities is available to anyone with an Internet connect, thanks to YouTube.

STEAM in Education: What Comes Next?

The goal of STEAM in education is to develop students who take creative and tactful risks. Such students are willing to participate in experiential education that is both flexible and engaging to diverse learning styles. Under this model students have grit and show persistence when taking on challenging problems. They are eager to work collaboratively and have a growth mindset for learning.

 

STEAM Meaning Education: The STEAM in Education movement promotes a growth mindset for learning.

 

Why is STEAM education important?

As the modern career landscape continues to evolve, the most important skills for students to be successful in life are technical skills combined with the creative thinking and flexibility that will allow them to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing job landscape.

To best prepare students for what’s ahead, learning environments must be relevant to real life, as well as variable, dynamic, and stimulating.

By incorporating real-world knowledge and creative thinking learning curriculums, students become more vested in what they are learning, which leads to higher engagement and improved learning outcomes for all.

STEAM in Education: Research

Recent studies suggest that the STEAM in education movement is a powerful method for improving students’ attitudes about learning, classroom achievement, and teacher effectiveness.

For example, another recent study showed that combining STEAM with literacy had a positive impact on cognitive development and led to a boost in literacy and mathematics performance. The student also showed that students who were exposed to STEAM were better able to engage in meaningful reflection and self-assessment compared to classmates who were not exposed to STEAM in education.

STEM vs. STEAM Education

STEM vs STEAM Education: What is the difference?

As mentioned earlier, there is more to the STEM vs STEAM education discussion than simply including the arts. Many believe that STEAM is superior to STEM and that the STEAM education movement is necessary to help students develop the skills required to be successful in the 21st century.

Without including the arts, STEM fails to help students to develop creative thinking skills and problem-solving skills that are critical for thriving in an ever-changing social, political, and economic landscape.

While students currently enrolled in STEM courses and programs do develop 21st century skills and problem-solving strategies, their ability to think and express themselves is limited by the confines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, being successful in a 21st century marketplace calls for individuals who are skilled in these areas and have creative thinking skills, imagination, resourcefulness, and ingenuity.

The STEAM in education movement combines the strengths of STEM with the positive attributes related to thinking, problem-solving, and adapting that are developed through pursuit of the arts. In short, STEAM elevates STEM to another level by allowing students to make connections and applications between what they are learning in STEM courses with creative and artistic thinking and principles that will give them the tools to become well-rounded adults equipped with all of the necessary skills required to succeed in the 21st century.

Keep Learning:

Nurturing a Growth Mindset for learning—where mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities—is a key component of the STEAM Education movement. To learn more about how you can nurture a growth mindset in your classroom, check out our free Growth Mindset guide for teachers and parents.

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Equivalent Fractions 3rd Grade Resources, Worksheets and Activities

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Equivalent Fractions 3rd Grade Resources, Worksheets and Activities

5 Free Equivalent Fractions 3rd Grade Resources

The best equivalent fractions for 3rd graders resources includes worksheets, activities, and games

Equivalent fractions for 3rd graders: This guide shares several free activities and worksheets for exploring equivalent fractions.

One of the trickiest topics for 3rd graders to grasp is the concept of equivalent fractions.

To be successful, students need both a procedural understanding of working with equivalent fractions as well as a deep conceptual understanding that will allow them to apply their understanding to more challenging topics involving fractions.

The free Equivalent Fractions 3rd Grade Resources shared in this post will help you to give your students opportunities to develop both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions.

Below, you will find links to access 5 equivalent fractions for 3rd graders activities (including equivalent fractions worksheets with answer keys). You can pick-and-choose which resources you want to use to supplement your lesson plans, or you can utilize all 5 equivalent fractions for 3rd graders activities in chronological order over the course of several consecutive lessons to form a complete unit on equivalent fractions.

You can use any of the links below to jump to a specific equivalent fractions for 3rd graders worksheet, or you can scroll through the entire post to access all of the free resources.

Again, we recommend starting with a conceptual exploration of the topic before you teach procedure. Then, you can utilize activities that combine both skills before finishing with practice or review activities that assess how well your students understand equivalent fractions.

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Equivalent Fractions 3rd Grade Resources

1.) Fraction Strips

When first introducing your 3rd grades to the concept of fractions and equivalent fractions, we recommend giving them an opportunity to conceptually explore the topic before introducing them to any procedure (such as finding common denominators).

This way, students can develop a visual understanding of the concept that they can utilize later on when procedure comes into play.

One of the best hands-on activities for exploring fractions is the use of Fraction Strips—rectangular sheet of colored paper that represent fractions (although fraction strips can also be digital or made out of plastic).

Equivalent Fraction Games for 3rd Grade: Fraction Strips are a fun way to visually explore the concept of equivalent fractions before learning/memorizing procedures.

For example, the image above shows how a 3rd grade student could use fraction strips to visualize why 4/8, 2.4, and 1/2 are all equivalent fractions before ever learning any procedure.

You can learn more about using fraction strips in your classroom by accessing our Free Guide to Fraction Strips, which will show you how to have students make their own fraction strips by hand in addition to a printable fraction strip activity and virtual fraction strip resources.

2.) Equivalent Fractions Explained - Free Student Guide

After 3rd graders have developed an initial conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions are, they are ready to learn the procedure of determining whether or not two given fractions are equivalent.

Our free step-by-step guide to equivalent fractions builds upon and extends your students’ understanding of equivalent fractions to include procedure. As a teacher, you can use this free guide and included examples and visual aides to structure your equivalent fractions 3rd grade lesson.

 

Our free equivalent fractions 3rd grade guide combines procedural skills with visual representations.

 

The free guide is also an excellent resource for students who have missed class time or need an in-depth review of equivalent fractions.

3.) Solving Equivalent Fractions Using Legos

After students have begun to build conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, the next step can be participating in activities that combine both skills. Our next equivalent fractions for 3rd graders resource is a suggestion to use Legos as a hands-on tool and visual aide for exploring and solving equivalent fractions.

The image below shows how you can use Lego bricks to represent one whole and the fractions 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 3/4. Using Legos, students have a side-by-side visual aid that corresponds with their mathematical work.

 

Equivalent Fraction Games for 3rd Grade: Legos are a great hands-on tool and visual aide for exploring equivalent fractions.

 

For example, like Fraction Strips, 3rd grade students can use Legos to visualize why 4/8 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions and why they both can be simplified down to 1/2. This simple yet powerful hands-on activity will help your 3rd grade students to develop both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.

 

Example of using Legos to model an equivalent fractions scenario.

 

4.) Solving Equivalent Fractions Using Fraction Circles

Yet another effective equivalent fractions 3rd grade activity that helps students to develop both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency is the use of fraction circles as a visual aide for solving problems.

Circle diagrams are also commonly used to represent fractions, so it is important for 3rd graders to gain experience working with them.

For example, the image below shows how your 3rd grade students could use fraction circles to determine that 6/10 and 3/5 are equivalent fractions, and that 3/4 and 6/9 are not equivalent fractions.

Fraction Circles can be used to help students with determining whether two given fractions are equivalent or not.

If you are looking for an awesome (and free) virtual resource for using fraction circles, we recommend the fraction circle’s feature on Mathigon’s Polypad app.

 

Mathigon’s Polypad app is a great free virtual resource for exploring equivalent fractions 3rd grade.

 

5.) Equivalent Fractions Worksheets 3rd Grade

Finally, once your students have had plenty of experience exploring equivalent fractions and gaining strong conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, they are ready to apply their skills to solving problems that resemble what they will likely see on assessments and exams.

You can use the links below to download 3 different Equivalent Fractions Worksheets 3rd Grade PDF files with complete answer keys. All three worksheets are samples from the 3rd Grade Worksheet Libraries available on our membership website.

Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade Preview

Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade Preview

Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade Preview

▶ Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade: Coloring in Equivalent Fractions

▶ Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade: Equivalent Fraction Statements: True or False?

▶ Equivalent Fractions Worksheet 3rd Grade: Fill in the Missing Values to Make the Fractions Equivalent

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The Flipped Classroom Model Explained

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The Flipped Classroom Model Explained

What is a Flipped Classroom?

How to use the flipped classroom model to boost learning outcomes, motivation and engagement

What is a flipped classroom? In a flipped classroom, teachers facilitate collaboration and provide small group instruction instead of lecturing. (Image: Mashup Math via Getty)

An effective teacher should not be a sage on a stage, but a guide on the side. -Alice King

In the traditional classroom model, students typically spend the majority of their class time passively observing direct instruction and taking notes. Under this model, students typically have to wait until class is over to apply what they have learned to solving actual problems (usually in the form of homework assignments).

Conversely, the flipped classroom model reverses the traditional model in that students use technology to access direct instruction outside of the classroom and then spend class time working on practice problems and activities that require higher-level thinking, all while a teacher is present to facilitate and answer questions as they arise.

The flipped classroom model is built around the idea that class time—when a teacher is present—should focus on applying skills and working through problems (active learning), while direct instruction should be accessed outside of class time (passive learning).

 

What is a flipped classroom?

 

The flipped classroom model—which is driven by students watching a video lesson or slideshow presentation for homework and then spending the bulk of class time working on problems and activities—is transforming the role of a teacher in the 21st Century.

Additional benefits of the flipped model include more time for activities and collaboration, students being able to work at their own pace, and teachers getting to actually teach rather than delivering a prepared lecture over and over again.

The Flipped Classroom Model vs. The Traditional Classroom Model

Given the pros of the flipped classroom model—namely giving students more time to apply what they are learning to solving complex problems under the guidance of a teacher—you may be wondering how you can incorporate this style of instruction into your classroom.

First, it is important that you acknowledge that any teacher can successfully implement the flipped classroom model to some degree.

Are you ready to make the flip?

Getting Started with the Flipped Classroom Model

Flipped Classroom Motivation and Engagement: Students use technology to access direct instruction outside of the classroom. (Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash)

If you are intrigued by the potential of flipping but are struggling with the anxiety of taking on the challenge or simply can’t figure out where to start—it’s easier and more doable than you think!

While the following tips do not encompass every aspect of effectively flipping your classroom, they will help you to overcome some of the fears and start you on the path to shifting the focus in your classroom from teaching to learning!

1.) You're Not Alone

Flipping your classroom can be intimidating and it’s important to remember that you are not in this alone. When you begin to experiment with the flipped classroom model, let your fellow teachers, administrators, students and their parents know what you are doing and, more importantly, why you decided to do it. People will be more supportive of your endeavor and more accommodating of any missteps if they know that your intention is to create a learning environment that is better suited to meet the unique needs of every student.

2.) Expect Some Resistance

Change can be challenging. You need to prepare yourself for resistance from students and parents who are devoted to traditional models of instruction. Such resistance can be overcome by informing students and parents why you have chosen to implement a flipped classroom model and how it can enrich the educational experience. The first few weeks of flipping may be shaky, but your commitment will pay off in the long run, as early resistors often become ardent supporters once they see concrete results.

 

Teachers often encounter some initial resistance when they first start implementing the flipped classroom model. (Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash)

 

3.) Start Small

Teachers often avoid the flipped classroom model in fear of the time, effort, and energy it takes to completely transform all of their materials and lesson plans. For anyone who shares this feeling, here’s some good news—you can start small and flip only one unit or even just one lesson! Think about a unit or concept that is particularly difficult to teach and consider flipping only those lessons. If the experience is positive, then you can continue to flip future lessons as you move through the school year.

4.) Take Advantage of YouTube

Another source of anxiety for those who are considering flipping their classroom is the demand for creating video content. Many teachers either lack the time or are simply not comfortable with filming and editing video. Luckily, there are tons of high-quality and standard-based video lessons that can be accessed for free on YouTube. Some awesome examples include Mashup Math,  ASAP Science, and National Geographic.

 

Did you know that Mashup Math shares over 150 free animated video lessons on our YouTube channel?

 

5.) Use Some Tools

As the flipped classroom model becomes more popular, more tech companies are producing apps and software that is specifically designed to make the flipped classroom easier for educators. One particular application, WeVideo, is a simple, yet powerful, platform that allows teachers and students to create engaging educational videos. Adobe Spark is another effective video-creation app. Similar to Microsoft PowerPoint, you can use simple drag-and-drop skills to create captivating video lessons from your desktop computer or mobile phone.

6.) Use Student Feedback

If you're flipping for the first time, then prepare to make mistakes…lots of them! Plan time to debrief with students and to collect feedback. Implementing an experimental model will require frequent course corrections and student feedback will be valuable. Effective flippers have regular debriefing sessions with students to formatively assess their experiences and to dictate future instruction.

7.) Embrace the Challenge

Flipping your classroom will be a challenge and you can count on a few missteps along the way, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the effort! Remember that flipping your classroom is not about technology; it’s about transforming education and redefining the role of the teacher. Becoming a flipped educator will not diminish your role as an educator—it will enhance it.

And your students will reap the benefits of a superior learning experience, while you may just rediscover your love of teaching at the same time.

 

Effective flipped classroom teachers make time to debrief with students and to collect valuable feedback. (Image: Mashup Math MJ)

 

Flipped Classroom Motivation and Engagement

On a final note, the topic of how the flipped classroom model affects student motivation and engagement should not be ignored.

Recent studies support the idea of a flipped classroom motivation and engagement boost amongst students. (Image: Mashup Math MJ)

In fact, many schools adopt the flipped classroom model as a means of motivating and engaging struggling students who are underserved by traditional instruction methods. It is not surprising why many school improvement plans adopt some form of the flipped classroom model.

As more classrooms flip, more data is becoming available on the effectiveness of the flipped classroom model.

A recent study has concluded that, under the flipped classroom model, students across all grade levels were significantly more engaged throughout their courses with a continuously increasing trend, and that the previously lowest performing students had the largest percentage of improvement.

So, if you are looking to take advantage of the flipped classroom motivation and engagement boost and try a new way to reaching your students, the flipped classroom model.

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10 Formative Assessment Examples for Your Classroom

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10 Formative Assessment Examples for Your Classroom

10 Formative Assessment Examples That Work

What are effective examples of formative assessments and how do they help teachers to gauge student learning?

Enjoy this collection of the most effective formative assessment examples and activities.

If teaching your students is a journey, then formative assessments are the trail markers that keep your lessons on the right path.

Teachers use formative assessments to gauge student understanding throughout the learning process. Unlike summative assessments (like midterm exams and final projects), the input from formative assessments empowers teachers to modify instruction early in the learning process so students can have a personalized learning experience that meets their individual and collective needs.

Formative assessments also have the potential to let students take ownership of their learning by helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses. The act of self-assessment allows a student to evaluate whether or not her effort is sufficient and to make adjustments accordingly.

The most common examples of formative assessments are the simple acts of asking questions and using responses to measure whether or not students are grasping the content.

For example, asking your class does that make sense? after explaining a concept is an example of a formative assessment. If the responses reflect a strong understanding, then you can take the material to a more challenging level. If the responses reflect a lack of understanding, you can backtrack and review. 

While questioning is a useful strategy, it often falls short of reaching the unique needs of a diverse group of learners, which is why teachers can benefit from differentiating the way they formatively assess their students.

However, not all formative assessments are effective at helping teachers to assess their students’ learning at any given point in time or at helping students to self-assess, identify how well they understand a topic, and know when to ask for help.

If you are looking for examples of formative assessments that actually work, then you’re in the right place. Below is a list of Formative Assessment Examples that you can share with students of any grade level to formatively assess a diverse group of learners in a way that is inclusive, engaging, and empowering.

10 Formative Assessment Examples

Formative Assessment Examples #1: Mini-White Boards

Formative Assessments Examples: Having students solve problems or answer questions and display their results on a mini-white board is a great way to instantly gauge understanding.

Formative assessment is used to gauge student understanding during the learning process. As a teacher, you need to be able to assess how well your students are grasping a topic or concept before deciding to move onto something more challenging or entirely new.

One of the best examples of formative assessments that are simple and easy to implement is the use of mini-whiteboards (or mini dry-erase boards) in your classroom. Students can write their responses to questions, and you can quickly walk around the room to see if your students are on the right track. Many teachers opt to ask a question, give students time to respond, and then have them hold up their dry-erase boards to instantly measure student understanding.

The instant visual feedback associated with these types of formative assessments will empower you to make changes to your lessons on the fly based on the needs of your students, which is why the use of mini-dry erase boards is one of the most popular formative assessment examples.

Formative Assessment Examples #2: Emoji Self-Assessment

Examples of Formative Assessment: Students can use this emoji activity to self-assess how they feel about their current state of learning.

A good collection of examples of formative assessment must include activities that give your students opportunities to self-assess and make conclusions about how well they understand a topic at a given point in time.

When students have opportunities to reflect and self-assess, they are more likely to give feedback and to ask questions when they need help.

One of the most effective formative assessment examples in this guide is the Emoji Self-Assessment activity, which not only gives students a chance to self-assess, but it also lets a teacher know when her students are feeling confident, frustrated, confused, anxious, bored, etc.

This valuable input will allow you to make adjustments and to best meet the diverse needs of your students on an individual, small-group, and whole-class basis. The Emoji Self-Assessment activity is best used as an exit ticket during the last few minutes of class so you can review the responses and make adjustments to your next lesson.

You can click here to download our free Emoji Self-Assessment PDF Worksheet :)

Formative Assessment Examples #3: Take a Poll (Digital)

 

Examples of Formative Assessments: Use polling software to instantly assess student understanding.

 

The next idea on our formative assessment examples list is digital polling (if you prefer non-digital examples, continue onto formative assessment examples #4 for a non-tech alternative).

However, if you work in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school or if your students have access to digital devices in the classroom, then you can take advantage of free polling software that will allow you to ask questions and have students use a device like a smart phone, tablet, or laptop to submit their answers before seeing instant results.

This kind of input is imperative to effective data-driven instruction.

For example, take a look at the formative assessment examples below where Google Slides was used as a tool to poll student responses on two different questions (Situation A assessed understanding of prime numbers and Situation B assessed understanding of perfect cubes). Notice that, in Situation A, the majority of students answered correctly, which indicates that the class has a strong understanding of this topic, and that minimal review is needed. However, in Situation B, there is much more variety of responses and the majority of students answered incorrectly, which indicates that further review is needed.

 

Formative Assessment Examples: Instant feedback from polling helps teachers to decide when review is needed.

 

To get started using polling for formative assessment in your classroom, we recommend using Google Classroom. However, other free options include Survey Monkey, Poll Everywhere, and Kahoot.

Formative Assessment Examples #4: Take a Poll (Non-Digital)

 

Examples of Formative Assessments: Polling Using Post-It Notes

 

If your students do not have access to internet and/or digital devices in your classroom, you can still take advantage of polling and the instant feedback it provides by using post-it notes.

These examples of formative assessment require you to post a question on the board along with several choices and then give each student at least one post-it note to write their answer/response/reasoning on (you may choose to give students multiple post-it notes if the question allows for multiple responses).

Once students have completed their response, they will stick their post-it note on top of or near their respective choice. Once all of the responses have been posted, you will have a useful visual representation of student understanding that will help you to decide how to best meet the needs of your students moving forward.

While the post-it formative assessment activity can be used at any time during a lesson, we recommend using it as an exit ticket activity where students post their responses on the way out of the classroom. This way, students have more anonymity, and they will be less inclined to change their answer due to peer pressure.

Formative Assessment Examples #5: Venn Diagrams

Examples of Formative Assessments: Use Venn Diagrams to compare/contrast two or three topics or ideas.

When it comes to effective yet simple formative assessments examples, look no further than the Venn Diagram.

Venn Diagrams can be used to compare and contrast two or three topics or ideas related to whatever you are currently teaching. This formative assessment tool forces students to think deeply about topics and extend their understanding beyond basic knowledge of facts and definitions.

Additionally, formative assessment activities that are highly visual cater to students with a visual learning preference who typically struggle to express their understanding verbally or through traditional written responses.

By differentiating this way, students have the freedom to express their understanding without boundaries, and their responses are usually surprisingly creative!  

 

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Formative Assessment Examples #6: Create Your Own Questions

Formative Assessment Examples: Give students an answer and have them create their own question(s) related to the topic.

Looking for more formative assessment examples that give your students opportunities to be creative and gain a different perspective on whatever it is that they are currently learning?

The Create Your Own Questions formative assessment activity takes a Jeopardy-style approach to questions and answers where, like the host of Jeopardy, the teacher gives students the answer (or answers) and the students, like the contestants on Jeopardy, must respond with a question.

This type of formative assessment allows for higher-level thinking and creativity while simultaneously providing the teacher with valuable insights into how students are understanding and thinking about a given topic.

This formative assessment activity can be differentiated in many ways, and you can choose to have students provide only one question or three questions (easy, medium, and hard) as shown in the sample student response below.

 

Create Your Own Questions: Sample Response

 

Formative Assessment Examples #7: Exit Tweet

Formative Assessment Examples: Have students summarize what they have learned under the constraints of a 280 character-limit resembling a twitter post.

Examples of formative assessment that incorporate things that students are interested in—like social media—are great for boosting student interest and engagement.

For this activity, students are tasked with an exit ticket activity that requires them to summarize, in words, what they have learned under a 280-character similar to a twitter post (or tweet). The exit tweet activity forces your students to express the main ideas in a clear and concise matter.

The activity also forces students to carefully think about what they plan on writing before they even start because they must adhere to a character restriction that has real-world implications (since the same restrictions are placed on twitter posts).

You can click here to download our free Exit Tweet PDF Template (there are three exit tweets per page to help you save on paper; simply scissor-cut each page into three activities).

Formative Assessment Examples #8: ELI5

 

Examples of Formative Assessments: Have students explain their understanding of a topic as if they were teaching it to a 5-year-old. (Image: Mashup Math MJ)

 

If you’re not acquainted with popular internet slang and acronyms, then you probably don’t know that ELI5 actually means “explain it to me like I am a 5-year-old.”

By teaching others what they have already learned, students can organize their thinking, express their thoughts in words, and identify any gaps in their understanding. These benefits are why many teachers have their students work in groups and teach each other what they have already learned—because it works!

Using ELI5 as a formative assessment is simple. Give students a topic and have them describe the key concepts, ideas, and procedures—in writing—as if they were teaching it to a 5-year-old.

Formative Assessment Examples #9: Making Predictions

Examples of Formative Assessment: Gauge your students’ understanding of how topics are related by having them predict what they will be learning next.

Another important activity type on our formative assessment examples list is assessing how well your students understand how different topics are connected to each other and what direction their learning is going in.

One great way to gain insights into how students perceive the direction of their learning is to have them make predictions about what they will be learning next and explaining why they feel that way.

For the predictions formative assessment activity, simply have students express in writing what they think they will be learning next (based on what they have already previously learned) and explain why. You will likely be surprised by the depth of student responses, which will help you to give your students a more coherent and interconnected learning experience.

Formative Assessment Examples #10: Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down

Formative Assessment Examples: The classic thumbs up/down activity is a great way to instantly gauge student understanding and how to proceed with your instruction.

The final formative assessment idea on this list is the classic thumbs up/down activity. This type of formative assessment requires the teacher to ask a question such as:

  • Does that make sense to everyone?

  • How do we feel about that last example?

  • Are we ready to move onto a more challenging problem?

Then, students are instructed to respond non-verbally by raising one hand showing a thumbs-up, thumbs-down, or thumbs-sideways, each of which represent the following:

  • Thumbs Up: I understand, I am confident, Yes

  • Thumbs Down: I do not understand, I am not confident, No

  • Thumbs Sideways: I am not sure, I partially understand, I am a little confused

While this may be the simplest of formative assessment examples on this list, the practice is incredibly effective as it gives you an immediate idea of how your students are feeling and whether or not you should take your lesson to the next level or backtrack and review before moving on—which is precisely what good formative assessment activities are supposed to do.

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Why Am I So Bad At Math? (and How to Get Better!)

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Why Am I So Bad At Math? (and How to Get Better!)

Why Am I So Bad at Math? (And How to Be Good at Math)

Why am I so bad at math? Harmful misconceptions about your ability to learn may be to blame. (Image: Mashup Math via Getty)

Why Am I So Bad at Math?

Learning math can be incredibly challenging and students who struggle with mathematics often question why math is so difficult and often conclude that they may not be capable of being successful in the math classroom.

Unfortunately, there is a harmful misconception about the ability to understand math. Over 50% of people in the United States ages 18 to 34 say that they can’t do math according to a conducted by Change the Equation.

It’s no wonder why so many people learn to accept a false idea that understanding math is reserved only for “math people.”

So, before you conclude that the answer to the question why am I so bad at math? has something to do with you being unable to learn math no matter how hard you try to improve, understand that the cause of your frustration and struggles is more likely due to negative misconceptions about math than it is about your ability to learn.

Sadly, these misconceptions are often passed down to children from parents who also struggled with mathematics when they were students. In fact, children with parents who have math anxiety underperform in math compared to children whose parents are not math anxious according to a study by the University of Chicago.

The “math person” misconception leaves lower achieving students feeling disinterested, frustrated, and unable.

Such harmful misconceptions and the idea that only certain people are capable of understanding mathematics are also product of traditional teaching methods that focus entirely on fixed outcomes, like letter grades and standardized exam scores.

That’s why alternative learning approaches — including homeschool math programs — can be an effective way to help students learn at their own pace, reduce anxiety, and rebuild confidence in their math abilities.

Students who do well on exams are labeled as “smart” and those who perform poorly are led to believe that they are not.

 

Many students learn to believe that they are not capable of being successful in math. (Image: Mashup Math via Getty)

 

Under so much pressure to perform and general anxiety surrounding the subject, it’s no wonder why so many students feel like they are unable to learn math and avoid the subject at all costs.

But giving up on math is not a good option in the big picture. More and more desirable jobs require a high degree of math fluency, understanding, and comfort. Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are the fastest growing sector of jobs in the United States. However, 35% of all bachelor’s degrees in STEM in the United States are earned by nonresident aliens, according to a study by the department of education.

What can you do to change the situation? If you are wondering, why am I so bad at math? The fault is likely due to you having a fixed mindset for learning, which is often a product of being negatively affected by harmful misconceptions about your ability to learn math.

A Fixed Mindset is based on the idea that you only have a limited amount of intelligence, and no amount of hard work or effort can lead to improvement. With a fixed mindset, you believe that looking smart is more important than learning new things and that having to try hard means that you have low natural ability. Under this mindset, you are easily discouraged and afraid of taking on new challenges out of fear of making a mistake.

Does this sound like you? If you are feeling discouraged and questioning why am I so bad at math?, then you may be struggling due to a fixed mindset.

However, there is a path to how to be good at math, and it starts with a shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

 

How to Be Good at Math? Mindset is Everything

 

How to Be Good at Math

Students who struggle with math are often not held back by their ability, but by their mindset for learning.

The truth about learning math is that, just like learning how to read, every student is capable of understanding mathematics. We need our students to approach math with a growth mindset that values learning over intelligence and effort over final results. 

With a Growth Mindset, you value learning new things over appearing smart. With this mindset, you see growth is equated with success and challenges are embraced as new opportunities to learn. When you approach math with a growth mindset, you learn to love solving problems and you celebrate your mistakes because you know that they are necessary steppingstone along the path to learning.

The idea of a growth mindset was pioneered by Stanford University Professor, Carol Dweck. Her studies have shown that students who believed that their ability and intelligence could grow, and change outperformed those who thought that their ability and intelligence were fixed.

Dweck’s research has shown that increasing focus on the process of learning, rather than the outcome, helps increase a student’s growth mindset and ability.

 
 

How can YOU embrace a growth mindset for learning math? You can start by learning more about growth mindsets and applying the key concepts to your everyday life. Anytime that you are trying to learn something new, approach the situation with an open mind, a belief that effort and making mistakes is necessary for learning, and without a fear of failure or not looking smart.

It may take time to develop this new mindset for learning, but the payoffs just may take you from thinking that you are bad at math to believing that you are becoming better and better every day.

If you want to learn more about developing a growth mindset, click here to learn more about the fundamentals of a growth mindset (and how to overcome a fixed mindset) and watch the above video of Stanford Professor and Researcher, Carol Dweck, presenting on Growth Mindsets and the Power of Yet.

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