# @edutopia on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWm8IilwSb
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/20304035-edutopia-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/b507b54dd8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-12-28T19:31:35.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Edutopia (@edutopia) — https://gondola.cc/edutopia

## Caption

Seemingly innocuous words and phrases teachers say can exacerbate students’ math anxiety and perpetuate the notion that some people are just bad at math, according to Rachel Fuhrman, a ninth-grade special education math teacher.⁣
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“Math teachers take on the even greater responsibility of teaching students to believe in themselves as they tackle content. Small changes to what we say can make that impact a positive one,” Fuhrman writes.⁣
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To encourage all students to feel comfortable in math class, she suggests avoiding three phrases:⁣
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1. This is so easy! When teachers say this about a problem or topic, they “devalue the experience of those students who find it difficult,” which can harm students’ self confidence in the subject. Math class should be a place where kids feel comfortable to make mistakes, are encouraged to ask questions, and “learn to fall in love with discovering the solutions to problems,” notes Fuhrman.⁣

2. You’re so smart! While giving students positive praise is an important part of teaching, it should be for “specific, replicable behaviors and not for intelligence”—otherwise it implies that some students are simply smarter than others in math. Try praising kids for things that anyone in the class can replicate, like hard work, attention to detail, and courage in taking academic risks.⁣

3. You should already know this! When students have math skill gaps, it can make teaching grade-level content frustrating, but saying “you should already know this,” unfairly places the blame on students when it may not be their fault. Instead, see if students need remediation, or additional instruction and practice on specific skills. ⁣
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Link in bio.⁣

#MathEducation #MathTeacher #MathClass #MathTeachers

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## Tags

mathteachers, mathclass, matheducation, mathteacher

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