From Stanford professor, author of Limitless Mind, youcubed.org founder, and leading expert in the field of mathematics education Jo Boaler comes a groundbreaking guide to finding joy and understanding by adopting a diverse approach to learning math.
“Every once in a while, someone revolutionizes an approach to a difficult subject and changes it forever. That is what Jo Boaler has done for math. Fresh, smart, and inclusive, Jo Boaler’s strategy eschews the one-size-fits-a-few approach and instead allows math to be seen and solved by everyone. A huge achievement. Math-ish is the only math book I’ve ever enjoyed reading in my entire life. Honestly.” -Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry
Mathematics is a fundamental part of life, yet every one of us has a unique relationship with learning and understanding the subject. Working with numbers may inspire confidence in our abilities or provoke anxiety and trepidation. Stanford researcher, mathematics education professor, and the leading expert on math learning Dr. Jo Boaler argues that our differences are the key to unlocking our greatest mathematics potential.
In Math-ish, Boaler shares new neuroscientific research on how embracing the concept of “math-ish”—a theory of mathematics as it exists in the real world—changes the way we think about mathematics, data, and ourselves. When we can see the value of diversity among people and multi-faceted approaches to learning math, we are free to truly flourish. Utilizing the latest research on math education, Jo guides us through seven principles that can radically reframe our relationship with the subject:
• The power of mindset on learning
• Utilizing a visual approach to math
• The impact of physical movement and communication on understanding
• Understanding the value of an “ish” perspective – in mathematics and beyond
• The importance of connected and flexible knowledge
• New data on diverse teaching modes that work with different learning styles, not against them
• The value of diversity in learning mathematics—and beyond
When mathematics is approached more broadly, inclusively, and with a greater sense of wonder and play—when we value the different ways people see, approach, and understand it—we empower ourselves and gain a beneficial understanding of its value in our lives.
I love Phi! –
I appreciate how Boaler shares research and unpacks it with clear examples and fresh ideas. Life is -ish and maths is an important part of it. I can’t wait to “ish” with my next group of students!
Jimmy –
This book is phenomenal. It makes a rigid, inflexible, and intimidating subject like math approachable and enjoyable in ways it never has been before. Everyone should read math-ish; it will change your entire perception of what math is and how it should be taught. Whether you love math, fear it, hate it, or new to it – this book will help you. It is also an enjoyable read with great visuals.
InFearEeyore –
So, as an educator, I bought this book to maybe give me more ideas. However, It automatically lost a star because I opened to a random page to see the above photo (which I wrote on). I am sorry, I know this book is about putting “ish” in Mathematics but 3/4 times 3, is NOT 9/12…It is 9/4. This is a mistake I would see students make; however, even in baking … if something called for 3/4 cup of sugar and you were going to make 3 batches, it would be 3/4 + 3/4 + 3/4 = 9/4, not 9/12. If a student saw work like this (from me), it would confuse them.Overall, this book as many interesting concepts and ideas, as well as some that make me go “what?” A couple of places confused me because there was either more information than needed, or not enough information.
Jules –
This book is a page turner, I am a parent not an educator but I got so many ideas for my children and for me living my life, now I can see math everywhere!
Socrates –
This book had so much useful information. I loved all of it. The eg mentioned by “InFearEeyore” was a discussion of making equivalent fractions, so I don’t think it was a mistake, maybe just a printing error on the image. I will totally try this as a method for dividing fractions, it makes so much more sense than flipping and multiplying.
Artur Cybulski –
I am not a teacher or an educator, I have always hated math, but reading this book totally changed me – if only math had been presented like this in school. I totally recommend it.
Lindsey –
After reading this book, I am inspired to take my students on a mathematical journey where beauty, joy, and wonder are fostered and encouraged! Thank you, Dr. Boaler for helping me see that creativity can coexist with mathematics and that math CAN be for everyone!
Julie White –
As a math teacher, I love what Jo Boaler has to say. She changed my teaching for the better!
Math Customer –
An engaging and easy read. Beautifully done. Dr. Boaler does such a lovely job of bringing together stories from so many different parts of her work that inspire the reader with a vision of creative, engaging, and inclusive math learning for all. But she doesn’t stop there! I appreciate that the book also gives concrete examples of what creative and diverse math meaning making actually looks like from children to grown adults in and outside of the classroom. I highly recommend this book!! Oh and… my cat was just as intrigued! I’d give it 6 stars if I could!
Kelly Abraham –
Mathematical diversity is such a beautiful idea – as prof Boaler says, we all see math differently, and we should be harnessing that idea in teaching and learning. This book made me feel seen and heard.
Natalie P. –
I’m thoroughly enjoying this book! I will continue to reference it throughout my career. Great strategies and ideas. In 17 years, I’ve used many of these strategies but not intentionally enough to where they build into a daily routine. Correcting that now.
Rebecca –
I recently had the pleasure of reading “Math-ish” by Jo Boaler and I was truly impressed by the depth and insightfulness of the book. Boaler masterfully demystifies the world of mathematics, making it more accessible and relatable to people of all backgrounds. Her exploration of how math is intricately woven into our daily lives is both eye-opening and thought-provoking. Boaler challenges conventional beliefs about who can excel in math and offers valuable, practical strategies for educators and parents to foster a growth mindset in their students and children.Throughout the book, Boaler’s passion for math education shines through, backed by a refreshing and compelling research-based approach. Her work is not only informative but also inspirational, urging readers to transform their relationship with math and empowering them to do the same for others. In essence, “Math-ish” is an essential read for anyone seeking to embark on a journey of redefining their connection with mathematics and helping others do the same.
Jasmyne –
While I absolutely LOVE this book, it came without the pretty book cover. I received a plain white book.
Suzanne Downes –
This book provides interesting points of view and shows Jo Boaler continuing to be at the forefront verbalizing the always evolving relevance of mathematics education. A must read.
Sunshine –
I’ve read books by Jo Boaler – this one is her best yet! So many great insights and ideas to put right into practice when working with students of all ages.
Liz Sutherland –
As a teacher I am required to read many development books and often I a struck with the thoughts really you think I don’t know or do that. This was not the case with Mathish. I have been following and ‘fan girling’ on Jo for the past 7 years and love her approach and thoughtfulness for all students. I have tried and dare say been successful implementing her way of teaching in my class. But this book still left me going WOW, I never thought about that, or that makes so much more sense now. Please read this book, get it in the hands of your administrators, parents and fellow teachers. It will change how you see math teaching and more importantly how your students see themselves as problem solvers ready to take on the world. One teacher by one teacher we can stop the thinking I am not a math person.
LDA –
The first chapter is titled, A New Mathematical Relationship, and that’s exactly what I was looking for. I’ve been trying to teach math to my elementary students in a way that allows them to grow and develop a deeper understanding of math. This book hit the nail on the head. I was engaged from the first chapter! Math-ish offers insight into the “ish” of math and shares ways we can provide many opportunities for students to use their “ishing” skills to develop their deeper understanding. I start school again in two weeks and I can’t wait to bring these ideas to my students!
Moune Customer –
I like the work of Jo Boaler, specially her efforts on math education. However, writing a whole book to name approximations and how to motivate them is tiresome for the reader.
Karen Sleno –
Jo Boaler has done it again (and math education is better for it)!
This book is equally valuable for teachers, parents, and really, for anyone who has learned mathematics the traditional (or “narrow”) way where there is one right answer and one right approach. Not surprisingly, this type of mathematics education is what has caused multitudes of people to hate and to fear math and worst, believe that they are not a “math person” and just can’t do it. This book introduces two important ideas: mathematical diversity and “ish”ing. In a mathematically diverse classroom, all strategies are considered and all thoughts are heard and valued. Although the end answer may be the same, the journey to that answer is the interesting conversation to have.
Similarly, students become so focused on learning a process to an end answer that they often don’t consider whether that answer is realistic or not. “Ish”ing models what we do in real life when confronted with many mathematical situations (“It’s about 4 miles to the store” or “The temperature is in the mid 80s today”). By asking students to “ish” first, they gain comfortability with sharing their thoughts, knowing they are not wrong.
Jo presents a cohesive plan to incorporate these ideas into the way we teach mathematics in a way that promotes a growth mindset. Her ideas are logical and inspiring and will make you wish you had been in this classroom in your student days!
This book would be an ideal study for all math teachers at all levels as it truly promotes authentic learning in a safe environment where all students can learn successfully. The practice of “I do/we do/you do” is replaced with “thinking activity first, then fill in the mathematics”. Endless lists of standards are compiled into big ideas, allowing students to fit each new piece of learning into the mental structures they have already created. Homework is recommissioned as reflections on what has been learned instead of a multitude of meaningless problems.
If you are ready to rethink how you learn and teach mathematics, this is THE book to read this year!