The Math Narrative Project
A narrative approach to improve students' experiences learning math
How do students feel about learning math, and how can adults help them persist when learning math feels hard?
We asked 6th to 10th graders (Black and Hispanic students, as well as students from lower-income households) how they feel about learning math.
Here’s what they told us:
Hover over any bubble to see the students’ feeling it represents. Bubbles with an audio icon are interactive; click to hear a quote directly from the student.
How Students Feel About Math
All Races and Genders
Female
Male
Asian & Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic
White
Many students have negative emotions about learning math, and those negative emotions can make it harder for students to persist.
Narratives that adults—like teachers and parents*—hold about math can also discourage kids from learning math before they even get to algebra.
*Throughout this website, the research team uses ‘parent’ to refer to both parents and guardians.
The Math Narrative Project seeks to use narrative as a tool to improve students’ math learning, so that more students want to learn more math.
