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Helping Socially Avoidant Learners Connect with Others in the Math Classroom through Socio-Emotional Learning!
India White • July 2, 2023
Helping Socially Avoidant Learners Connect in Math through SEL!
Helping Socially Avoidant Learners Connect with Others through SEL in the Math Classroom
Sometimes, it’s easy to assume that all students are eager to approach learning math and can’t wait to enter into the classroom. However, we forget to factor in the little things including various personalities and learning styles of our students. Once we consider various traits of our learners, we will realize that math class can be a challenging environment for students who are socially avoidant. Students of this personality type might struggle to engage in class discussions, work collaboratively with peers, or seek help from their teacher. Further, they might feel like disappearing into the wall or running out of the classroom when asked to solve a math problem. However, with the right approach, you can help these students overcome their anxiety and develop social emotional skills
that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom.
Here are eight tips for helping socially avoidant students engage in math class and overcome anxiety through social emotional learning.
1. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
The number one concern of socially avoidant students is being convinced that the learning environment is a place where they are safe and where they have control.
Hence, creating a safe and supportive environment is essential for helping socially avoidant students feel comfortable in math class. Make sure that your classroom is a welcoming space where all students feel valued and know that they are respected by others. Encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or criticism. Make sure that you use a “velvet glove” approach with these students so that they don’t retreat into their “shell” out of fear of embarrassment. They have to feel like they are “calling the shots”, or else they may shut down.
2. Use Icebreakers and Team-Building Activities
When working with socially avoidant learners, sometimes it can become socially awkward really quick, and remain that way throughout the lesson unless there’s a strategy to help break the ice. Hence, using icebreakers and team-building activities can help students get to know each other and build trust.
Once a student is able to sense that it’s okay to share out, or contribute, they will feel less threatened and will be motivated to use their student voice to contribute to the lesson. Hence, choose to use icebreaker activities at the beginning of class during bell work and throughout the school year when introducing new topics to help students feel more comfortable working with their peers.
3. Incorporate Social Emotional Learning into Math Lessons
Incorporating social emotional learning strategies into math lessons
can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in both math and social situations. Not only will it help students connect with each other; it will give them awareness on how they are coming across to others socially, in conversation and in their overall behavior. Incorporating SEL strategies will help students own their actions and contribute to responsible decision making, relationship building, social awareness and self-awareness. This will strengthen the whole child and their learning experiences. Hence, choose to teach your students how to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with others. Establishing norms for conversation during instructional delivery and mathematical discourse can assist you as you prepare the learning environment and implement SEL strategies.
4. Provide Opportunities for Individual Work
Sometimes, socially avoidant learners need a “breather”. Providing opportunities for individual work can help socially avoidant students feel more comfortable in math class. Further, independent thinking helps strengthen student's ability to think independently during math discussion. Allow your students the opportunity to work independently on assignments and provide one-on-one support when needed. Look for cues from your socially avoidant students where they signal to you that they need a break or are annoyed. Be willing to work on their terms as you continue to build trust and support for them.
5. Encourage Peer Tutoring
Encouraging peer tutoring
can help socially avoidant students build relationships with their peers and develop their math skills. Pair students with different skill levels of learners within the class and encourage them to work together to solve problems. Make sure that when pairing students for peer tutoring that you are using students who are mature and sensitive enough to scaffold and support rather than offend your socially avoidant learners. Peer tutoring will be great success once you are convinced that all students involved are comfortable working with each other and are comfortable working at the pace given. Since socially avoidant students prefer to be left alone, check on them from a distance unless they are raising their hand or signaling for more support via a raised hand or other methods.
6. Use Visual Aids and Manipulatives
Socially avoidant learners aren’t eager to share out but might not mind using manipulatives to express their thinking. Hence, using visual aids and manipulatives can help students understand math concepts and engage in class discussions.
Encourage students to use these tools to explain their thinking with their peers and share their ideas with the class in a way they are comfortable with. When presenting manipulatives or visual aids, allow the socially avoidant learner to take charge and use the tools they feel are best fit for them.
7. Provide Positive Feedback
Providing positive feedback can help socially avoidant students feel more confident in their math abilities. Acknowledge their efforts and progress and provide specific feedback on areas where they can improve. When providing positive feedback, make sure you get permission from your socially avoidant student first before drawing attention to them whole class. A great method would be to first approach them and have a side conversation with them at their desk or away from others as you inform them of your feedback. If they are comfortable, you can ask them if it would be okay to compliment them in front of their peers. If they aren’t comfortable, just provide the feedback and encourage them to keep up the great work.
8. Encourage Self-Reflection
Socially avoidant students love to self-reflect. However, sometimes they can be their worst critic. Hence, encourage your students to self-reflect but to remain optimistic
in their thoughts. Encouraging self-reflection can help students develop self-awareness and identify areas where they need to improve. Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their math skills and social emotional skills and encourage them to set goals towards improving their overall ability in your class.
Conclusion
Socially avoidant learners deserve to learn in an environment conducive for their personality and preferences. Hence, you as the educator have the power to equip your socially avoidant learner with success through these eight tips provided. As you create a safe and supportive environment, use team-building activities, incorporate SEL strategies, provide opportunities for individual work, encourage peer tutoring, use manipulatives, provide positive feedback, and encourage self-reflection, socially avoidant learners will be able to produce and perform to levels of proficiency beyond expectation.
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