’There is no such thing as a stupid question’. How many times is this said in a classroom? But it is not easy to establish this important message in the classroom and help students realise how important questions and mistakes are to learning. This Colombian teachers offers an example of how to encourage and celebrate student risk-taking. The teacher very clearly values the persistence of students and the bravery it takes to ask a question and expose one’s thinking.

This is an urban, public school. Watch out for how the teacher:
- Recognises the courage needed to ask for help

- Allows students to share their mathematical thinking and uncertainties

- Offers prompts that guide student thinking

How do you encourage risk-taking in your own classroom?