THOUGHT
Students would rather not try, than get the answer wrong.
REFLECTION #1
I think many of us have experienced this on one level or another, and it can be an extreme debilitating belief. When it comes to math, or any other subject, teachers must do their best to keep this belief as far from the students' minds as possible. By engaging students in the material, and allowing them to explore topics on their own, as well as within small groups, can dissolve some of the pressures that students feel to find, or say, the "right" answer.
REFLECTION #2
One way that the teacher can extinguish this belief in students is my creating a safe environment where students feel comfortable enough with themselves and their peers, that they can express their thoughts without the fear of ridicule. Teachers can also encourage positive, empowering beliefs in the classroom by telling students that their are NO wrong answers, but this statement must be backed up with actions, and must be truly believed by the teacher to be effective in establishing trust and confidence for the students within the classroom.
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