HSEJH Students Put Math Fears ‘To Rest’

Afraid of math class? Hamilton Southeastern Junior High teacher Natalie Stoner tried to help her seventh graders put their math fears to rest on the first day.

She dressed as the Grim Reaper and allowed them to write their negative thoughts about math. Then with eerie funeral music in the background they all lined up to pay respects to “Mat H. Troubles (i.e. math troubles) and deposited their messages in a small casket in the front of the class.

She said the activity allows them to symbolically “bury” all bad thoughts about math forever. Stoner reported the music and costume did surprise a few of her students each period.

HSE Junior High students Jack Kleinrichert, Brayden Beckius and Brigitte Busch take turns placing their math fears or dislikes in a small casket in seventh grade math class as teacher Natalie Stoner looks on dressed as the Grim Reaper.