ABSTRACT
Affect, or the emotions and feelings that people experience, is a real and significant issue when people are learning mathematics. When people feel included and supported in a positive environment they think more, work harder and enjoy being there. Establishing a positive environment in the mathematics classroom requires establishing ground rules, such as showing respect for each other and valuing the contributions of all, and also making sure that the environment is safe and physically welcoming. A positive environment will help pupils develop the emotional resources and mathematical resilience that enables them to overcome the barriers that learning mathematics presents for many people. The chapter shows how working with mathematics activities in certain ways can help teacher provide a positive learning environment for all teachers' learners. Mathematical resilience is a positive stance towards mathematics which pupils can be helped to develop.
