This week we had a fun little math now activity. It was a timed set of problems of simple add or subtract problems that you had to complete in one minute. Interestingly it gave me a bit of anxiety. I peeked at the questions and knew it was something I could breeze through in well under a minute but I kept saving that exercise for later. And maybe even a little later.

This got me thinking about how my future students will react to a timed task. What kind of things can I do to help ease their anxiety?

What causes math anxiety in the first place? From my own experience and from what I read, there are a few main reasons for math anxiety. The pressure of being timed to take a test or finish a set of problems in a set amount of time. Fear of embarrassment, prior negative math experiences and the teacher's enthusiasm ( or lack thereof) can all contribute to that feeling of tension, unease, and anxiousness that students can feel.

Initially, what we have the most control over is enthusiasm. There's a big difference between a teacher who is engaged and one who is letting their dislike of math show. Teaching math with the same excitement as reading or music can help shift the tone of math.

 Ideas for reducing math anxiety are similar to those for reducing anxiety in school

Yoga breaths and deep pressure stretches-To help calm, focus and center the student

Manipulatives like fidgets, velcro or thinking putty- Helps with concentration

Gum for chewing during tests- Helps with concentration and is a fun treat

Trying a different approach- We know that people learn differently. Anxiety could be due to not comprehending a topic taught in a way that doesn't nurture their learning style

Allow for practice time-Giving students time to practice and cognitively process a topic will allow them to feel more secure

Math joke of the week:

Q: Why did the boy eat his math homework? 
A: Because the teacher told him it was a piece of cake.