We’ve all seen it: capable students wrestling with maths anxiety, where even basic calculations feel overwhelming. As equations dance on the board, anxiety clouds their minds, turning numbers into gibberish. Despite their best efforts, these students are paralysed by fear—fear of mistakes, falling short, or admitting confusion.
I know this struggle firsthand from my own primary school days. Maths anxiety isn’t just about test nerves; it’s a deep-seated fear that can hamper learning and shatter confidence.
As teachers, addressing maths anxiety is crucial to nurturing an environment where every student can thrive and succeed. From battling my own maths anxiety to creating maths lessons and resources for teachers on Cáit’s Classroom, I’m here to offer a helping hand to students and educators alike.
Here are three strategies for tackling maths anxiety in 3rd – 6th class:
Hand Signals: Hand signals offer a simple way for students struggling with maths anxiety to join in maths discussions without feeling pressured to speak. These signals let students express their understanding or confusion non-verbally, making it easier for them to engage in class activities. It reduces the pressure on children to quickly find the solution to a problem and allows for valuable thinking time.
Check out Oide’s ‘Number Talk Hand Signals’ for inspiration on signals like using a thumbs-up to show students have thought of a solution and a closed fist to signal ongoing thinking. By using these signals, students can gain confidence in contributing to maths talk sessions, creating a positive and stress-free maths environment.
Maths Journals:
Encourage students to maintain a maths journal where they can jot down their thoughts, feelings, and any challenges they encounter during lessons. This simple practice can be a valuable outlet for students with maths anxiety, allowing them to express their emotions and track their progress.
Here are three sentence stems that children can use in their maths journals:
- “Today in maths, I felt _____ when I was working on_____ because _____“
- “One maths concept I found challenging was _____, but I was able to understand it better when _____ .”
- “I am proud of myself in math when ______ because ______.”
For more maths journal prompts, visit the Primary Mathematics Resource Hub here.
Practical Activities:
Practical activities, such as those featured in the ‘Measures’ strand of the Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023), provide hands-on learning opportunities that can alleviate maths anxiety. Engaging in meaningful real-world tasks, like measuring length and estimating capacity, not only makes learning more interactive, but can reduce the anxiety often associated with more abstract maths tasks.
For help with planning and implementing suitable activities, explore Cáit’s Classroom on Mash.ie where you’ll find free sample lessons packed with hands-on learning opportunities. Our lesson plans and resources are designed to enhance student engagement while reducing maths anxiety through meaningful interaction with the ‘Measures’ strand.
Addressing maths anxiety is a vital aspect of creating a supportive learning environment where every student can achieve their full potential. By implementing strategies like hand signals, maths journals, and practical activities, teachers can empower students to overcome their fears and build confidence in maths. These approaches not only enhance student engagement but also foster a positive attitude towards mathematics.
Join the community of teachers on the Cáit’s Classroom mailing list for more strategies, tips and tricks for teaching maths to 3rd to 6th. We can’t wait to have you!
