Every Answer Can Be the Right Answer
Do you ever hear your child say, "Math is boooring," or "I'm just not a math person"? Many people struggle with feeling confident about math, believing it's too much stuff to memorize or too hard. But being a "math person" is simply about being a person who does any type of math. Every day, our SUMM staff strive to help create a generation comfortable and confident using math to solve problems.
In this week’s Talking Math, we’re highlighting a powerful tool for nurturing this confidence and shifting perceptions about math.
What is "Which One Doesn't Belong?"
"Which One Doesn't Belong?" (WODB) was created by Mary Bourassa and includes contributions from many people, including author Christopher Danielson. WODB is a type of "math talk" designed to be an access point for ALL learners, regardless of their background, skill level, or learning differences. The core concept is simple: you’re presented with a set of four items (shapes, numbers, graphs, expressions, photos, or even incomplete sets), and your task is to identify one that "doesn't belong".
But here’s what’s different about this activity: every answer can be correct.
Unlike other puzzles (and perhaps even other worksheets with the same title), there’s no single “right answer”. What matters most is having a reason why the item you chose doesn't belong. This encourages academic vocabulary, opinion language, and supporting your own thinking. It prompts learners to look for similarities and differences, focusing on one property at a time. Whether a shape is "smooshed," "stretched," "bent," "dented," "curvy," or "filled in," all properties and ideas matter.
Here’s an example: which shape doesn’t belong?
Is it the triangle because it’s the only one with three sides?
Is it the square because it’s the only one with all right angles?
Is it the diamond because it isn’t filled in?
Is it the parallelogram because it’s the only shape with a flat base?
Remember, every answer can be the right answer. Focus on justifying your answer, and encouraging your kid to do the same.
Making a "Math Person" Mindset
WODB is a great example of how "play is to mathematics what books are to reading". It turns math from memorization into exploration and discovery. Here are a couple of ways to use this and encourage a strong math mindset in your kids:
Recognize your own feelings about math and the messages you convey through your words and actions. Your attitude is contagious, both positively and negatively.
Praise the process, not just the talent. Instead of saying "You're so smart!", focus on the effort and the process. For example, "I see how hard you worked to figure that out!" This helps children understand that their effort leads to success, rather than success being due to an inherent ability.
Even when it’s uncomfortable, show learning from mistakes. Talk positively about making mistakes and view them as a natural part of the learning process. This helps kids overcome the fear that “I'm afraid of math. It's too hard”.
Incorporate varied activities, including puzzles, games, card games, and building tools like blocks, LEGO, or tangrams. Books and videos can also be valuable resources–you can find other SUMM resources here.
And of course, use WODB activities (available for shapes, numbers, and more) as a regular "math talk". Discuss why each item could be the one that doesn't belong. You can rent Christopher Danielson’s book from KCLS here, or buy it through Bookshop here.
We’ll discuss more tips to foster a growth mindset in future weeks. In the meantime, by adopting these practices, you can help your kids move beyond their math anxieties and develop the confidence and comfort needed to solve real-world math problems.
