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Taming ANTs: Math Mindset

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Lesson Plan

Taming ANTs: Math Mindset

Students will be able to identify Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) related to math and apply coping strategies to manage these thoughts, improving their confidence and regulation in math class.

Understanding and managing ANTs is crucial because negative self-talk can hinder learning and performance. By developing coping strategies, students can build resilience and foster a more positive and effective approach to math challenges.

Audience

7th Grade Math Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and practical strategy application.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers/pens, Handouts for ANT Attack Activity, Taming ANTs Slide Deck, Math Mindset Warm-Up, Taming ANTs Game, and ANT Buster Cool-Down

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Math Mindset Check-in

5 minutes

  1. Distribute the Math Mindset Warm-Up to each student.
    2. Instruct students to complete the warm-up individually.
    3. After 3 minutes, briefly discuss a few responses as a class to gauge initial feelings about math.

Step 2

Introduction: What are ANTs?

5 minutes

  1. Use the Taming ANTs Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to introduce Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs).
    2. Explain what ANTs are and how they can impact performance, especially in math.
    3. Ask students to share examples of ANTs they might have heard or thought themselves (without sharing personal struggles).

Step 3

Activity: ANT Attack!

10 minutes

  1. Introduce the ANT Attack Activity using Taming ANTs Slide Deck (Slides 4-5).
    2. Distribute the ANT Attack Activity handout.
    3. Guide students to identify common math-related ANTs and brainstorm alternative, positive self-talk statements.
    4. Encourage a short pair-share or small group discussion on their findings.

Step 4

Game: ANT Smasher

7 minutes

  1. Explain the Taming ANTs Game using Taming ANTs Slide Deck (Slide 6).
    2. Divide students into small groups.
    3. Provide each group with slips of paper for writing ANTs and positive affirmations.
    4. Facilitate the game, emphasizing quick thinking and positive reframing.

Step 5

Cool-Down: ANT Buster Pledge

3 minutes

  1. Distribute the ANT Buster Cool-Down exit ticket.
    2. Instruct students to write down one strategy they will use to 'bust' an ANT in math class.
    3. Collect the cool-downs as students leave.
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Slide Deck

Welcome: Math Mindset Check-in

What are your first thoughts when you hear the word 'MATH'?

(Think: challenging, fun, confusing, easy, boring, exciting)

No need to share yet, just think about it!

Greet students and prepare them for the warm-up. Emphasize that this is a personal reflection.

What are ANTs? (Automatic Negative Thoughts)

Those Sneaky Little Thoughts!

  • Automatic: They pop into your head without you even trying.
  • Negative: They often tell you unhelpful things.
  • Thoughts: They are just thoughts, not always facts!

Example ANTs in Math:

  • "I'm terrible at math."
  • "This is too hard for me."
  • "I'll never understand this."

Introduce the concept of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs). Explain that everyone has them, and they are quick, often unhelpful thoughts.

How Do ANTs Impact Our Math Success?

The ANT Effect:

  • Lower Confidence: If you think you can't, you might not even try.
  • Giving Up Early: ANTs can make challenges feel impossible.
  • Stress & Anxiety: They make learning less fun and more overwhelming.
  • Missing Out: You might avoid asking questions or participating.

Good News: You can learn to tame your ANTs!

Discuss how ANTs impact us, especially in math. Link it to confidence and trying new things.

Activity: ANT Attack!

Time to Swat Those ANTs!

  1. Identify Your ANT: What negative thoughts pop up when you face a tough math problem?
    • Example: "I always mess up fractions."
  2. Challenge Your ANT: Is that really 100% true? What's another way to look at it?
    • Example: "Fractions can be tricky, but I can learn them step-by-step."
  3. Replace Your ANT: Turn it into a positive, realistic statement.
    • Example: "I can ask for help or try a different strategy."

Introduce the ANT Attack activity. Explain that the goal is to identify ANTs and then challenge them with positive, realistic statements.

ANT Attack Example

Let's Practice!

SITUATION: You see a word problem and immediately think:

"Word problems are impossible! I'll never get this right."

ANT: "Word problems are impossible!"

CHALLENGE: Is that true? Have I never solved a word problem? Maybe some are hard, but not all.

REPLACE: "Word problems can be tough, but I can break them down into smaller parts and try my best."

Provide an example for the students to work through as a class or in small groups before they start the activity.

Game: ANT Smasher!

Quick Reflexes for Positive Thoughts!

  • Goal: Replace negative math thoughts with positive, helpful ones FAST!
  • How to Play:
    1. Your teacher will give you a math-related ANT.
    2. Quickly think of a positive, realistic statement to 'smash' that ANT!
    3. Share your 'ANT Smasher' with your group.

Let's turn those negatives into positives!

Explain the ANT Smasher game. Emphasize fun and quick positive reframing.

Cool-Down: ANT Buster Pledge

Your Pledge to Conquer ANTs!

Take a moment to reflect:

What is ONE strategy you will use to 'bust' an ANT the next time you face a math challenge?

Write it down on your exit ticket!

Prepare students for the cool-down. Reinforce the main takeaway: they have power over their ANTs.

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Warm Up

Math Mindset Check-In

Instructions: Take a moment to think about how you feel about math. Write down your honest thoughts below. There are no right or wrong answers!

  1. When you hear the word "MATH", what are the first 3-5 words that come to mind?






  2. Describe a time you felt successful in math class. What happened?











  3. Describe a time you felt challenged or frustrated in math class. What thought popped into your head at that moment?











  4. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you generally feel when starting a new math topic? (1 = Not at all confident, 5 = Very confident)




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Activity

ANT Attack! Taming Your Math Mindset

Instructions: Below are some common situations you might encounter in math class. For each situation, identify the Automatic Negative Thought (ANT) that might pop into your head. Then, challenge that ANT and replace it with a more positive, realistic, and helpful thought. The goal is to train your brain to think differently about math challenges!

Situation 1: Looking at a complex algebra problem.

  • My ANT might be:






  • Challenging my ANT: (Is this thought 100% true? What evidence do I have against it?)






  • Replacing my ANT with a helpful thought:






Situation 2: Getting a low score on a math quiz.

  • My ANT might be:






  • Challenging my ANT: (Is this thought 100% true? What evidence do I have against it?)






  • Replacing my ANT with a helpful thought:






Situation 3: Not understanding a new concept the first time the teacher explains it.

  • My ANT might be:






  • Challenging my ANT: (Is this thought 100% true? What evidence do I have against it?)






  • Replacing my ANT with a helpful thought:






Situation 4: A classmate solves a problem quickly that you are struggling with.

  • My ANT might be:






  • Challenging my ANT: (Is this thought 100% true? What evidence do I have against it?)






  • Replacing my ANT with a helpful thought:






My Own Math ANT:

  • Situation where I often have ANTs about math:



  • My ANT might be:



  • Replacing my ANT with a helpful thought:



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Game

Taming ANTs Game: ANT Smasher!

Goal: To quickly identify and replace Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) related to math with positive, helpful statements.

Materials:

  • Small slips of paper or index cards
  • Pencils/pens

How to Play (Small Groups - 3-4 students per group):

  1. Teacher Provides an ANT: The teacher will call out a common math-related ANT (e.g., "I'm so bad at geometry!").
  2. Individual Brainstorm: Each student in the group silently takes 30 seconds to think of a "Positive Affirmation" or a "Helpful Reframe" that counters the given ANT. They should write it on their slip of paper.
  3. Group Share & Score: After 30 seconds, students take turns sharing their positive statements within their small group. The group decides which statement is the most effective and realistic "ANT Smasher" for that round. No need to keep score, the goal is practice!
  4. Repeat: The teacher provides a new ANT, and the game continues for a few rounds (e.g., 3-5 ANTs).

Example ANTs to Use:

  • "I'll never understand fractions."
  • "This test is impossible."
  • "I always make silly mistakes."
  • "Everyone else gets this faster than me."
  • "Math is just not for me."

Tips for the Teacher:

  • Encourage creativity and realistic positive self-talk.
  • Emphasize that it's about re-framing, not just saying "I'm great at math" if they don't believe it yet. It's about achievable positive statements.
  • Keep the pace quick to make it engaging and fun!
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Cool Down

ANT Buster Cool-Down

Instructions: Before you leave, reflect on what we learned today. What is one specific strategy or positive thought you will try to use the next time an Automatic Negative Thought (ANT) pops up during math class?

Write your ANT Buster pledge below!

My ANT Buster Pledge:

The next time I have an Automatic Negative Thought (ANT) about math, I will try to...
















What is one thing you learned today that surprised you or you found most helpful?







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