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Eliminating the Mindset of "I CAN'T DO MATH" in the Classroom!
India White • June 27, 2023
Eliminating the "I Can't Do Math" Mindset in the Classroom
Eliminating I CAN’T Do Math through Grit!!
As a student, it is common to feel defeated when it comes to math. The subject can be challenging, and it is easy to feel like you are not good enough. Further, some students come from families where math is not a favorable subject, and parents have a fear of math or “math phobia”. However, having a defeated mindset can hinder your progress and prevent you from achieving your goals. The good news is that you can eliminate this mindset of “I Can’t Do Math” through implementing a growth mindset through grit in the math classroom.
Grit is the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks. It is the determination to keep going even when things get tough. In the math classroom, grit is essential for success. Students who understand how to master a growth mindset and remain gritty when the math gets tough can eliminate the opinion they possess of “I can’t do math” in the classroom. Here are some tips on how to develop grit and eliminate a defeated mindset:
1. Embrace the struggle of math during learning
Math is not easy, and it is okay to struggle. Instead of feeling defeated, embrace the struggle and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every mistake in the math classroom is a chance to improve and get better. Students sometimes wallow in self-defeat, feeling like they aren’t math doers and can’t comprehend math. However, with the proper mindset, they can develop the resilience needed to plow through each problem and persist with understanding. When students become flustered and say, “I just don’t get it!” or, I can’t do it, this is the moment to lean in and help students replace a defeated mindset with a mindset of hope and grit. Help students reset mentally with new thoughts. Say, “You can do it, just put in a little more effort!” or, “Last time you struggled but pushed through, you’ll do the same with this problem!” Remind students of their ability to overcome and prevail during struggle. Continue to support them through their moments of discouragement and refuse to let them give up.
2. Set goals DURING Assignments
Setting goals is a great way to stay motivated and focused. Set realistic goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. Celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may be. It is imperative that you check for understanding while students are completing the math, so they don’t feel overwhelmed or become easily defeated. Tell students that they are completing the assignment one problem at a time, and that after a while they will finish with proficiency! Take moments to set a timer and to check on students after they’ve worked on the assignment at various intervals so they will know that you are scaffolding them through the work. Then, give them compliments along the way. Sometimes, you might have to pause them as they work to clarify any misconceptions, check the pacing of how they are doing, or even provide tips and reminders so they can continue along their journey of productive struggle and math achievement.
3. Practice makes PERFECT!
Practice is key to mastering math. The more your students practice, the more confident they will become.
Remind your students not to be afraid to ask for help if they need it. You as their teacher, their personal tutor, or other classmates can be great resources. Some students will need assistance and support but might be a little shy and not know how to ask for help. Always provide moments in which you walk around and remind students that you are there to assist them. Allow them to feel comfortable asking for support whenever they can.
4. Help Them Remain Optimistic!
A positive attitude can go a long way. Instead of students focusing on what they don’t know, teach them how to focus on what they do know and build from there. Challenge them to believe in themselves and their abilities. Help students eliminate self-doubt and low-self esteem in the math classroom by building their confidence, one problem at
time! Sometimes, you have to utter positive affirmations to your students and come up with various sayings about how they CAN do math and how they are growing as math learners. Studies have shown that being optimistic boosts brain’s memory center and predicts math performance during learning.
Hence, you will find that these moments will build student momentum and rigor during productive struggle and will successfully help students conquer moments where they feel stuck.
5. Help Students Learn from Mistakes and Shortcomings
Remind your students mistakes are a natural part of the learning process in your math classroom.
Instead of dwelling on them, learn from them. Help them to analyze their mistakes and figure out what you can do differently next time. Have an open-ended whole class discussion when you can discuss various problems and even model out using student friendly language how you would have worked through the problem. Allow students to build trust with you and their peers during mathematical discourse and exchange during various parts of discussion and practice. Assure them that they are still on the right track in the midst of their mistakes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, developing grit in the math classroom can help your students eliminate a defeated mindset and achieve your goals. Remind students to embrace the struggle, set goals, practice, stay positive, and learn from your mistakes. With these tips, you can help students overcome any challenge and succeed in math. Never stop convincing them that you believe in their ability as independent math thinkers to achieve in your math classroom!
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White. On this show, we will repeat a show from the Grit and Equity talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we walk through the recently released NAEP data from the National Report Card and speak about moving the needle forward. Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/india-white3 #grit #equity #naep #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #math #teachers #students
🌟 Just wrapped up an incredible G.R.I.T. Training session with the amazing leaders from Imagine Schools! 💪✨ We took a deep dive into the G.R.I.T. framework, and I can't wait to see the results unfold! 🚀🙌 #drindiawhite #grit #imagineschools #tedx #nctm #ncsm #bwxme 🎉 (I don’t own music copyright
Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
Fired Up for FDLA/FAMTE Keynote: Let’s Build Grit Together! I’m beyond excited to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the FDLA/FAMTE Conference tomorrow! 🎤🔥 We’ll be diving deep into the power of G.R.I.T.—Great Resilience in Time—and how it transforms both educators and students. This opportunity means so much, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. Grit isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement. It’s about growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, and it’s what drives success in the classroom and beyond. Let’s empower educators and students across the nation to push past obstacles and embrace productive struggle. Who’s ready to get gritty? 💪🏾 #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #FDLA #FAMTE #Education #GrowthMindset
Had an Amazing Time at the Imagine Summit! I had a fantastic time speaking at the Imagine Summit on G.R.I.T.! 🙌🏽 We engaged in powerful breakout sessions, had meaningful discussions about NAEP data, and explored strategies to build **growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management** in education. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the conversations! Let’s continue working together to bridge gaps and empower students through grit and perseverance. 💪🏽 #GRIT #ImagineSummit #Resilience #Education #GrowthMindset #EquityInEducation #drindiawhite
Building Grit in Teachers at the Imagine Leadership Summit I am beyond excited to be speaking at the Imagine Leadership Summit today, sharing insights on how we can build grit in teachers and empower them to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and growth in their students. 🌟 This summit is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with principals and education leaders who are committed to supporting and strengthening teachers. When we invest in teacher grit, we build stronger, more effective classrooms where students develop the perseverance to tackle challenges and achieve success. A huge thank you to the Imagine Summit leaders for this amazing opportunity! It’s an honor to be among such an outstanding lineup of speakers, including the incredible Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr. Join our sessions today and take GRIT with you—because when teachers grow in resilience, our students thrive! #GRIT #Teachers #Principals #DrIndiaWhite #NCTM #NCSM #ImagineSummit 😊
🌟 What an incredible time at the ICTM conference in Indiana! The lineup was amazing, and the energy was contagious! 🎉 Since I missed the snow back in Florida, I embraced it fully here and made my very first snow angel! ❄️ So grateful for the fun and gritty spirit of the ICTM rockstars! Huge thanks to Angela and every rockstar for this fantastic opportunity! 💙 #drindiawhite #grit #ictm25 #math #teachers #students #indiana #nctm #ncsm
✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers