Math autobiography for students

Written by:Christine von Renesse

I start every semester with a mathematical autobiography. Each student submits his or her own story describing their history as a learner of mathematics.

It sets the stage for me to get to know my students and learn about how they think. In the mathematics for liberal arts classes it is often depressing to read similar experiences resulting in math anxiety and even math hate. But I need to be reminded of these facts in order to have compassion for my students’ dispositions.

The autobiographies can also be used to start a discussion in small groups about students' expectations and feelings about the class they are about to start.

Math autobiography questions

Combined with a gallery walk to share the groups' feelings with the whole class this can be a powerful way to create a classroom community. See video below.