Doing the Math Together
Math Anxiety Classroom Resource
"Mathematics Anxiety in the Classroom" is a comprehensive and research-informed classroom tool developed as part of Brenna Lane’s work in the EDU 900 course at the University of Alberta. It explores the causes, long-term effects, and classroom impacts of math anxiety, while offering tested, practical strategies to support student learning and build teacher confidence.
A Classroom Resource by Brenna Lane
What if math class felt less like a test—and more like a conversation?
This practical and thoughtful guide by Brenna Lane is designed to help educators understand, confront, and ease math anxiety—for both students and teachers.
What You'll Find Inside:
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What is Math Anxiety?
Understand how it manifests and why it matters (as early as age 5!). -
Research & Impacts
From memory limitations to career avoidance—math anxiety is real and long-lasting. -
Teacher Math Anxiety
Explore how your own math experiences shape your teaching—and how to turn that into a strength. -
What Doesn’t Work
Timed tests and memorization-heavy tasks may do more harm than good. -
What Does Work
Celebrate mistakes, focus on process over product, and build a math-positive classroom culture. -
Games, Tools, and Strategies
Access interactive resources like Esti-Mysteries, Which One Doesn’t Belong, and Tarsia Puzzles. -
Professional Development Suggestions
Continue growing with recommendations like Math-ish (Jo Boaler), Math Mind (Sharma), and Math Therapy (Vakharia).
Why This Resource Matters
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Builds teacher awareness of their influence on student math mindset
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Promotes a shift from performance-based to process-based learning
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Helps normalize mistakes and reduce classroom stress
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Aligns with inclusive, student-centered teaching practices
Sample Tools & Activities
A visual reasoning task where students justify different answers, promoting flexible thinking and math talk.
Interactive algebra puzzles using balance scales to build logical thinking and equation-solving skills.
Challenging problems with multiple solution paths that require deep thinking and strategic problem-solving.
A customizable puzzle tool where students match concepts and equations, great for hands-on review.
Engaging estimation puzzles that combine number sense with clues to spark mathematical reasoning.
A grid-based logic game that lets teachers create math-themed challenges similar to the New York Times’ “Connections” puzzle.
Recommended for:
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Elementary and middle school educators
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Instructional coaches and PD leaders
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Preservice teachers
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School leaders focused on math confidence and inclusion
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