Back to School Ideas for Middle and High School Math
The first days of school are a chance to set the tone for the year and get to know students. It is the first chance to show students what math class is all about. I have rounded up a few of my favorite resources that will help you welcome students to math.
Students create a 3D cube!
A hands-on activity is the perfect way to welcome students to math class. In the 3D View of You Activity, students create the net of a cube as they answer questions about themselves. They can decorate it, cut it out, and form a cube.
Finding an activity that combines math concepts, getting to know students, and engagement can be a tough feat, but I think your students will love doing this one. I mean, doesn’t every student like to create something three dimensional?
You can edit the questions if you choose, or just print it and go with the questions included.
Click here to see the details.
The Graph of Me is a fun get-to-know-you activity that is perfect for the first day of math class, and it now works as a digital activity too!
Students read through a series of statements and determine if each one is true or false about themselves. Each statement corresponds to an ordered pair. Students graph the points for each true statement to create a shape unique to them! The paper version is a great way to allow students to get creative and turn their shape into a picture. For online learning, students can complete the activity in Google Slides. Either way, these make an awesome display on a bulletin board, combining math and the unique personalities of the students in your class.
First quadrant only and all four quadrant versions are provided, making this appropriate for a wide range of middle and high school students. Click here to learn more.
Get to Know You High School Math Activity
The Lines of Me Activity is a fun way to get to know more about students while graphing!
First, students decide if statements are true or false about themselves. Each statement has a corresponding linear equation. Students graph the lines for each true statement. Everyone’s page will turn out a little different but with some similarities.
Once students graph their lines, they are instructed to use 3 colors to trace over the lines depending on if they pass through a given point. (This helps students self-check if they made any errors graphing!)
This works great for high school students the first week of math class! Click here to see more details.
These Get to Know You Digital Activities can help you learn about your students and see what math topics they remember from previous years. Using Google Slides, students complete six activities about themselves, including making lists, writing a letter to their future selves, and creating a collage of images that relate to who they are.
Also included is an activity called “Math I Remember” in which students look over a list of math skills from previous years. They place clouds around ones they understand well and X’s over topics they do not remember. This will give teachers a glimpse of what math their students know. Options are included for students entering 5th grade math through Algebra 2, or use the blank template to create your own list of math topics. Click here to learn more.
This Algebra 1 Prerequisite Skills Review is a great way to get an in-depth look at what your students already know and where they have misunderstandings. It covers seven important review topics in printable and digital formats to use the first week of school. Plus, it is engaging!
Each sheet gives students a series of statements or problems that have been solved. Students check each one and shade the ones that are incorrect to create a message. If they complete all 7 skill sheets correctly, the message “Ready 4 more math!” appears.
A digital version is also included where students drag and drop boxes to complete each sheet using Google Slides. Click here to learn more.
Math Logic Puzzles
Logic puzzles are a fun way to get students thinking mathematically… without them even realizing it!
These school supplies-themed picture equations are great for the first day of school. Students can work in partners or groups to try to figure them out. These usually lead to some great math conversations!
6 puzzles are included as printable task cards and as a PowerPoint file if you’d like to display slides for the whole class to see with no prep! Find them here.
Help students get to know each other.
Want to get your students communicating with one another? Start day 1 by helping them get to know each other with these icebreaker questions.
Several ideas for games are included. You could have students in groups survey each other by randomly drawing a question from a stack. Students could walk around asking each other questions on the cards. You might choose to hang cards around the room and have students record their answers on large pieces of paper hung under each one. So many possibilities to get students learning about one another!
Check the set out here.
An activity and classroom decoration
Your students can take part in creating this big collaborative sign. It will be a one-of-kind colorful addition to a classroom wall, bulletin board, hallway, library, or anywhere in the school.
Each student gets one piece of the poster to decorate. You could also have them write about a time they solved a difficult problem or strategies they use to solve problems.
Once all the pieces are complete, they can be attached to a big piece of bulletin board paper to make collaborative poster that is about 4 feet x 4 feet. See the details here.
Welcome students and get to know them!
These booklets are the perfect way to welcome students to class and get to know them the first day! You can choose the cover for your grade level. The fun pages inside will help you learn about your students. They fill in lists, choose a MATHeagram type (sort of like Enneagram types), write a letter to their future selves, see what they remember from previous grade levels, and more.
Maybe the best part… You can download these booklets to make for your students for free! Just fill in the form below and it will be on the way to your inbox.
Want to really get students’ attention on the first day? Try this exercise that shows them why understanding is so much more powerful than memorizing! Watch the 3-minute video below.
I hope these resources give you some ideas for starting the school year in math class!
If you are setting up your classroom for students’ return, be sure to check out my blog post of colorful math classroom ideas.
Thanks for reading!
Rachael
