Creating Learning Partners: A facilitator’s guide for training effective adult literacy tutors

Section 1 Experiences with Math

Tutors will have the opportunity to explore and share their experience with math while in school. This could be a sensitive topic for some tutors.

Activity A

Past experiences with math

It’s important to have tutors explore their previous experiences with math, especially if their experiences have been negative. As they share their feelings about math, they will begin to understand the feelings their learners have towards math, and help their learners overcome those fears.

Reflection, discussion in pairs and large group
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Ask tutors to share with their neighbour their school experience with math. Ask tutors to share with their neighbour what they think when they hear the word math. What do they think is the origin of those thoughts and feelings? Have pairs share their feelings and experience with math with the rest of the group. Ask tutors to rate on a scale of - 0 how well they feel when they do math today. Have tutors share with the group why they rated themselves as they did.

Reflection, discussion in pairs and large group

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Ask tutors to share with their neighbour their school experience with math.
Ask tutors to share with their neighbour what they think when they hear the word math. What do they think is the origin of those thoughts and feelings?
Have pairs share their feelings and experience with math with the rest of the group.
Ask tutors to rate on a scale of - 0 how well they feel when they do math today.
Have tutors share with the group why they rated themselves as they did.

Facilitation tip

By asking people to explore this question with just one other person, you are modelling a process that is important for tutors to notice. People need to feel safe before they will talk openly about something concerning their personal abilities that may have been or continues to be difficult.

Activity B

Math myths

Part of the fear we have of math is based on myths. Tutors will explore some of those myths and have an opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings about them.

Group activity, discussion in large group
Materials and equipment Flip chart and markers Preparation Review the five facts or myths in the table below and determine your stand on each one. Be prepared, however, to allow tutors to draw their own conclusions for each statement.

Group activity, discussion in large group

Materials and equipment

Flip chart and markers

Preparation

Review the five facts or myths in the table below and determine your stand on each one. Be prepared, however, to allow tutors to draw their own conclusions for each statement.