The Secret to Successful High School Math Centers

I know what you’re thinking…high school math centers? That would never work with my students. Give it a shot using these five tips and see what happens. Your students may surprise you!

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Group work, specifically center style group work, is essential in high school math classrooms. I’ll admit, it can be a struggle to get your students to work together productively and effectively, but it is well worth it. Continue reading this post for five secrets to successfully implementing high school math centers.

Educators are realizing more and more that the most important skills we can teach our students are the ones they will need when they graduate from high school. There are very few (if any) careers where they won’t need to collaborate and problem solve in order to be successful.

By teaching these skills during their teenage years, we are setting them up for success in the long run!

Secret #1: Be Consistent

Your students need to know exactly what to expect when participating in math centers. I like to run group work at least once a week in my own classroom. It offers a nice change of pace in the day to day routine and gets kids working with each other.

The more that you are able to practice this style of work with your students, the more successful the centers will become over time.

Secret #2: Have a Schedule

Similar to consistency, your students should always have a way of knowing what they should be doing throughout the period. You can have the groups posted on the board, in Google Classroom, or on your daily classroom slides.

Get this free math centers planner to create the perfect structure for your class!

Secret #3: Independent Work

Whatever your students are tasked with during the independent work portion of your math centers should be review work or practice problems from a recently completed lesson.

A great option for independent work is a practice worksheet that is paired with previously completed guided notes.

Secret #4: Use Technology

One of the best ways to keep high school students engaged is with technology. There are so many free resources available to math teachers and students online. Check out this blog post for five free websites that are perfect for math centers!

Secret #5: Make the most of small group time

Centers are the perfect opportunity to work with small groups of students and get a better sense of what they understand. You are also able to give them immediate feedback while they practice.

One of my favorite ways to assess my students in small groups is with personal whiteboards! They can do practice problems right in front of you and erase their work for the next problem.