Math Bulletin Board and Door Ideas
Bulletin boards, doors, and classroom walls are all opportunities to spread positive math messages! A bulletin board in a math classroom should be meaningful. I’ve gathered some of my favorites that will get students attention, make them feel welcome, make them think, inspire them, or even make them smile. I hope you can use these ideas for your math classroom decorations.
Tips for Teaching Algebra 1
Teaching Algebra 1 can be a lot of work. Students learn lots of new concepts and face lots of new challenges. (But help is here!) To help you prepare for your best year yet of Algebra 1, I’ve gathered 5 of my best tips and favorite resources!
Bulletin Boards for Back to School
A bright and cheerful bulletin board in the hallway is the perfect way to welcome students back to school! Check out these ideas for inspiration to create your own school and classroom decorations.
Book Recommendations for Math Teachers
Have you ever read a book that significantly changed how you taught? I’ve picked out a few of my favorite books for math educators. I think these are must-reads for every math teacher.
Algebra 1 End of Year Review & Test Prep Ideas
Students learn SO many new math concepts in Algebra 1. The EOC test is a chance to show everything they’ve learned, but how do we prepare students for the big test?
I’ve gathered some of my favorite end of year activities and review resources. Each one is standards-based, engaging, and will make students think!
Spring Math Activities
March means Pi Day, St. Patrick’s Day, the beginning of spring, basketball, and so much more! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite math activities, games, and lessons for middle and high school students for spring. These are sure to keep students engaged and challenge them to think mathematically!
Math Activities for Thanksgiving
Be ready for the days before Thanksgiving break and keep students engaged with these fun math activities and ideas! These are best suited for middle school math classes.
Should we teach students math shortcuts and tricks?
Shortcuts are a necessary part of math. If you are an efficient problem solver, you are likely using shortcuts that you have learned. The approach to shortcuts is what we must examine.
Are we showing students all the shortcuts without allowing time for them to understand why they work?
If we are showing students shortcuts, students are likely memorizing them in order to get an answer that day or pass a quiz that week. Memorization without understanding causes problems later. Without the conceptual understanding of what is happening, students forget. They apply the shortcuts at the wrong time, and they cannot extend them to other concepts. And it sends the message that math makes no sense, which may be the most worrisome outcome of all.
Read on for commonly misused shortcuts and what to do instead.