Open - Math Norms and First Week of Class by Aris Winger

ariswinger — 2025-07-23 16:03:28 UTC

ariswinger — 2025-07-23 16:04:06 UTC

2025-07-23 18:49:40 UTC

Discuss the nature of the course, that we will be talking about challenging topics through data, establish class norms

Make sure everyone knows they are valued and their thoughts are welcome. Make sure the norms are clearly stated.

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:49:44 UTC

2025-07-23 18:49:47 UTC

I try to make it a microcosm of what class will usually be like, not just a "syllabus day"

Have everyone speak in a low stakes context e.g. which of these memes best describes how you're feeling going into this course? This helps dim the fear of speaking on future days.

2025-07-23 18:49:57 UTC

2025-07-23 18:50:06 UTC

I spend half the class inviting them to share their anxieties about math and being in a math classroom. We set norms, we talk about the social context of math, we talk about why people become "not math" people. We do almost no math.

Online Version?

2025-07-23 18:50:12 UTC

Pondering what "first day" means for an asynchronous course, where they don't all "show up" on the official first day, and are spread out on how fast they get moving.

2025-07-23 18:50:31 UTC

I tend to fall into "syllabus day" mode.

2025-07-23 18:50:32 UTC

I provide an outline before class starts, give students the opportunity to add and edit anonymously before the first day

Introductions

2025-07-23 18:50:33 UTC

I have students say their name (full & loud) but then also what they want to go by;

I ask them for their favorite and least favorite math topic from past classes;

I ask why they are in this class (and state that "it's the only one that fit in my schedule" is a perfectly acceptable answer)

2025-07-23 18:50:45 UTC

I start with dividing students into groups and asking them about their expectations of this class and about what they know about the class topics.

Un/preparedness

2025-07-23 18:50:53 UTC

While empathizing with students who may have a rough/busy week and might not prepare for class, I find it difficult to manage a conversation when many haven't watched the video, or read the article, etc. A continuing struggle.

2025-07-23 18:50:57 UTC

I set them, no collaborative right now.

Students participate in an ice breaker to get to know each other. They choose a question to answer that tells us something about who they are (in math or outside of math - their choice).

shellymjones64 — 2025-07-23 18:51:28 UTC

2025-07-23 18:51:49 UTC

I state the baseline that everyone should be treated with respect and that people should remain polite. They can dislike what someone says, but they shouldn't make it about the person who said it.

I spend a lot of time asking them about why we need to make mistakes, both about math and about our perceptions in the world.

Fear

2025-07-23 18:53:49 UTC

They're so scared to even talk about math, let alone everything else?

maybe they don't have too...

drangelahanson — 2025-07-23 18:54:04 UTC

We need community building in ALL classes

Class norms will be much different for a social justice class than it will for a Calculus class.

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:54:21 UTC

2025-07-23 18:54:29 UTC

It's imperative to establish a safe environment immediately, and nurture it throughout the semester

2025-07-23 18:55:15 UTC

Ask what SJ topics interest them, and why

2025-07-23 18:55:18 UTC

Maybe it's not as much about math anxiety as social anxiety?

2025-07-23 18:55:19 UTC

We should start "the work" of the class on the first day, but "the work" in a social justice class is different! (Including norms, etc.)

2025-07-23 18:55:20 UTC

Ideally, students signed up for this because of their interests not because it is required.

2025-07-23 18:55:50 UTC

Would it differ, if the class isn't totally focused on SJ, but just includes some SJ topics along the way?

There are some students who want "math" class to be very cut and dry and when exploring social justice issues this is usually not the case. This causes anxiety (and dislike) for some students.

shellymjones64 — 2025-07-23 18:56:31 UTC