9 Ways Teachers Can Cultivate Math Thoughts

Math can sometimes be frustrating to teach. Some lessons may be easy and some more challenging. However, teachers can always do things that will help each lesson/unit function smoothly. Here are nine tips that can help teachers achieve their math goals each year.

1. Never lose sight of your goal  Teaching students math is your main goal, not test scores or filling their heads with content only to have it evaporate over the summer.
   
   

     2.   Trust the curriculum/program you use/designed  Be confident that the program you are
           using is good enough to help your students learn over the course of the year. There is no
           single program that is perfect. Take notes regarding what works and what does not work
           for you with respect to your classroom dynamic. Each year your students will be
           functioning at different levels, so you need to adjust your plans and approach accordingly.

     3.   Don’t supplement too much  You have committed to sufficient time for mathematics
           instruction each day of the week. Your subject matter will be adequately discussed,
           practiced, and learned.

     4.   It is not a race  Avoid rushing through lessons and units in order to reach an arbitrary
           goal. Focus on your students becoming confident and proficient with each concept that is
           covered. Some lessons may take two class periods to complete. It’s okay. Not everything
           is learned with ease.

     5.   Be patient  If one person or the entire class is struggling, make sure to use all available 
           resources to help them comprehend.

     6.   Informal Assessment is more important than you might think  Keep notes regarding
           what students are grasping concepts easily and what appears to be a challenge on a
           weekly or even daily basis.

     7.   Use your best judgement regarding activities related to lessons  You may have several
           great ideas, but use them based on areas in which your students need remediation
           and/or enrichment.

    8.   It is very important to expose your students to the proper math vocabulary- You and your
          students should always use them. Encourage them to use this vocabulary in their Math Journal as 
          well (if they have Math Journals). If you don't use Math Journals, you may want to start. It is a great
          way for students to record their thought process and be able to use that journal later as a
          reference tool if necessary.

     9.  Allow for students to have opportunities to create, explore, and problem solve  I taught 4th grade 
          for 11 years. Each year, the kids enjoyed Fridays because I designated that day as Math Game Day. 
          Students were able to use the entire math period to work alone, with a partner or in a small group 
          (3 people was my limit). The rules were as follows: Games must reinforce a mathematical skill,
          games played could be ones that I taught them or a game from the math program we used, and
          they had the option of creating a unique math game but had to present it to the class.

          How do you cultivate math thoughts in your classroom?