How do I foster joy in mathematics?

“Numerous research studies (Silver, 1994) have shown that when students are given opportunities to pose mathematics problems, to consider a situation and think of a mathematics question to ask of it—which is the essence of real mathematics—they become more deeply engaged and perform at higher levels.”

(Boaler, Mathematical Mindsets, 2015, p. 27)

Considerations:

explore mathematics as a lifelong learner and remember that our attitudes influence our students
start by uncovering and then building on the students’ interests, questions, and life experiences
provide engaging opportunities that provoke and inspire mathematical thinking through play, inquiry, and exploration
be aware of and act on teachable moments that offer opportunities for emergent mathematical inquiry
Create opportunities for family and community engagement with mathematics.

Resources:

Explore mathematics as a lifelong learner and remember that our attitudes influence our students.

The mathematics we teach in our classrooms is a small part of a large and diverse subject area. Becoming exposed to different ideas that stretch our understanding and knowledge enable us to speak passionately about math in our classrooms. Finding ways to immerse ourselves in mathematics as a regular practice provides an opportunity to engage in mathematics that is meaningful. There are many ways to introduce a mathematical habit:

read a book
watch a video
solve a problem or puzzle
join a math circle

The BCAMT organizes virtual book clubs for its members. Check out the website to see what BCAMT members are reading and to join BCAMTReads.

The beautiful math of coralMargaret Wertheim leads a project to re-create the creatures of the coral reefs using a crochet technique invented by a mathematician -- celebrating the amazements of the reef, and deep-diving into the hyperbolic geometry underlying coral creation.

Math Is All Around You… And It’s BeautifulBeauty may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about mathematics. This video could change your mind.

Alex Bellos has a regular mathematical puzzle column in the Guardian. His latest book is Can You Solve My Problems?: Ingenious, Perplexing, and Totally Satisfying Math and Logic Puzzles.

Alex Bellos's Monday puzzle | Science | The Guardian

Math with Bad DrawingsLover of math. Bad at drawing.

Math with Bad Drawings:

A blog by Ben Orlin that plays with math ideas, includes great math jokes and is fun to read!

Ben has published several books that are engaging for both teachers and students.

Illuminating the Ideas that Shape Our Reality

75 1/4 Simple, Challenging, Go-Anywhere Games–and Why They Matter

The Wisdom of Calculus in a Madcap World

No, really, calculus can be beautiful and this mathematician will tell you why | CBC RadioSteven Strogatz wants you to share his enthusiasm for calculus, 'the language of the universe'

Provide engaging opportunities that provoke and inspire mathematical thinking through play, inquiry, and exploration.

Math for Love

Dan Finkel is a mathematician and an educator with a playful and joyful approach to teaching mathematics. His site, Math for Love, has lesson ideas, rich tasks, puzzles, and mathematical openers to use in classrooms. Dan is the creator of the math games Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dots (and many more!) and is a proponent of a play-based rigorous curriculum.

Robertson Program

Canadian resource for supporting inquiry in mathematics and science.

Mathigon – The Mathematical PlaygroundDiscover Mathigon, the Mathematical Playground. Learning mathematics has never been so interactive and fun!

Mathigon and Polypad

Free activities, manipulative and courses that help educators and students discover the power and unexpected beauty of mathematics.

Jo Boaler's website, YouCubed , offers teachers, parents and students a chance to experience mathematics in playful and creative ways, while developing a strong understanding of mathematical concepts. Find inspiration for learning experiences for classrooms and at home.

The Week of Inspirational Maths (WIM) resources are free lessons and videos about math and mindset designed to inspire students.

https://www.youcubed.org/week-inspirational-math/

In the theme of recess, where a treasure chest of balls, ropes, and toys would be kept for children to play with, this book holds a deep and imaginative collection of fun mathematical ideas, puzzles, and problems.

Be aware of and act on teachable moments that offer opportunities for emergent mathematical inquiry.

One of the practices consistent with the philosophy of Reggio-inspired pedagogy is building on the interests and wonders of students, and an inquiry-based learning environment has openings for emergent student inquiry.

Emergent Curriculum: BCAMT Reggio-Inspired Math: A cross-district professional inquiry project

BCAMT Reggio Inspired Mathematics Professional Inquiry

Educators from this project share their ideas here: https://janicenovkam.typepad.com/reggioinspired_mathematic/

BCAMT-Vector-Fall-2015-Novakowski.pdf

Carol Anne Wien is a University of Toronto professor and long-time student of Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.

Emergent Curriculum.pdf

A resource from Marion Small that focuses on the most important concepts and skills needed to provide early learners (pre-K-2) with a strong foundation in mathematics, in a way that is fun for both teachers and educators.