The Blog for Math Teachers Who Want More Than Just Right Answers
This is your space for rethinking what math class can look like. Find real world activities, creative lesson ideas, and strategies that help students develop skills they’ll actually use far beyond your classroom.
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8 Middle School Math Skills Students Should Know Before Algebra 1
Algebra 1 has a reputation and not always a good one. For many students, it’s the first time math starts to feel truly difficult. Concepts become more abstract, problems require multiple steps, and the margin for error feels smaller. Here’s the part that often gets overlooked: most Algebra 1 struggles don’t actually start in Algebra
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Performance Tasks in Math Class Shouldn’t Just Be “Extra”
Performance tasks in math class shift the focus from memorizing steps to actually thinking, problem-solving, and making sense of math in real situations.
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14 Middle School Math Performance Tasks for the End of the Year
Middle school math performance tasks feel different from other assignments. Students need to understand the situations presented first, then solve each problem.
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4 Math Exit Tickets That Actually Show Student Understanding
Math exit tickets have the potential to be really impactful forms of assessment, but sometimes they feel rushed and thrown together for the end of a class period. You ask a quick question, students turn something in on their way out, and… it doesn’t really tell you much. Did they understand the concept? Or did
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14 Low Prep Math Performance Tasks for High School
Math performance tasks go beyond “solve and show your work.” Instead of practicing a single skill in isolation, students need to apply multiple concepts to a real-world situation and make decisions along the way. In a typical worksheet, students might solve 10 equations that all look the same. In a performance task, they need to
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Is My Child Ready for Algebra 1? (A Homeschool Parent’s Guide)
Figuring out if your homeschool child is ready for Algebra 1 is a tricky decision to face as a homeschool parent. This core subject is a huge leap, moving kids from simple arithmetic to abstract math concepts, and the timing can make or break their confidence and future in mathematics. All middle school aged children