Write Solutions

Student learning is no accident!

  • Write Solutions
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Curriculum
  • YouTube
  • Contact

Search

Engaged in Math Class

February 14, 2019

There are three groups of kids sitting in front of me every time I teach a lesson. I think I’ve finally figured out how to get all of them engaged in math class!!

There are the kids the standards had in mind. Engaged. These kids are ready. If the lesson is adding fractions with unlike denominators, these kids understand the difference between the numerator and the denominator. They have an intuitive understanding of how multiples relate to each other and are connected to factors. They are ready to picture the part of a whole gallon of ice cream that Lucy and Jaden are about to trade their friends in a story problem. (When these kids are in front of me, I think I’m really good at this teaching thing!) It seems like everyone is engaged in math class.

Then there are the kids who struggle. These kids are missing a few key pieces to complete the puzzle. For instance, some of these kids are totally making sense of the ice cream problem- when they are presented with unlike denominators though, that added layer of work leads them to lose sight of the big picture. These kids might be engaging and working harder than anyone else in math class. They also might be frustrated and acting out.

Lastly, there are the kids that can push on further. These kids “get it” right away, complete all of the required tasks and don’t actually have to work very hard. We rarely see smoke coming from their ears. They also might be bored and acting out. When I used to see these kids in class, I’d feel guilty, like they were getting shortchanged. Despite their high scores, they weren’t very engaged in math class.

So What?

In my fifteenth year of teaching, I know this scenario well. I’ve watched kids in the struggling group work too hard, get frustrated and give up. I’ve also watched top students coast along and later fall apart in high school because I didn’t teach them how to truly work.  It isn’t okay with me to meet the needs of only ⅓ of my students (even if on paper it looks like ⅔). So what’s the solution?

Now What?

Differentiation. Personalization. Tiered Instruction. Hear me out! I am not suggesting you reinvent the wheel. (Please don’t. There’s NO time for that!) I’m talking about using what you already have in a purposeful way. In the next few posts, I’m going to focus on Differentiating Instruction in the Math Classroom. I will give you three strategies you can use immediately in the lessons you already have planned- to engage every one of your kids! I promise not to ask you to do ANYTHING that wastes your time. I promise to only save you time. Along the way, you’ll see that these strategies will also streamline classroom management and free you up to actually do some conferencing with students, instead of using all of your energy putting out fires.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...
«
»

Filed Under: Differentiating Instruction, Engaging Students in Learning, math Leave a Comment

What do you think?Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Latest on Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Latest on Facebook

Write Solutions

4 weeks ago

Write Solutions
I’ve observed first hand the link between dyslexia, rhythm and elapsed time for years in my house. Lucky for me, my village Includes experienced educators and dyslexia specialists. On my best days- seeing the connection so clearly gave me confidence in the treatment and interventions I was seeking. For the past month, my house has been FULL of song. The kid who never recited a nursery rhyme, won’t sing Happy Birthday, and often asks for the radio to be shut off if someone is singing along… has had a song stuck in his head. And while I’m kind of sick of “The 50 States the Rhyme” in general, I could not be more THRILLED about this milestone. I have so much hope and optimism today, and gratitude for the teachers who have gotten us here. When the road ahead seems like an insurmountable mountain, it’s the individual trees and markers along the way that are worth celebrating and keep you focused. Waking up 45 minutes before my alarm to another soulful rendition of the 50 states was like pausing for a picnic along the path. I’m grateful to be present for it. ... See MoreSee Less

The processing of rhythmic structures in music and prosody by children with developmental dyslexia and developmental language disorder - PubMed

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhythm perception seems to be crucial to language development. Many studies have shown that children with developmental dyslexia and developmental language disorder have difficulties in processing rhy...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Write Solutions

2 months ago

Write Solutions
PSA: I forgot this tonight, and we paid dearly. Sharing so maybe you won’t have to do the same.🪩We don’t have to do all the events. I don’t have to spend an hour in a loud overstimulating gymnasium because “they” say it’s fun for kids. I know it’s not fun for me. And the universe smacks me in the back of the head when we get home every time- by way of a major kid meltdown. 🌈My kids will make great childhood memories even if we skip the family dance or glow-in-the-dark bowling night. I had an AMAZING childhood and barely remember any of those types of things. I DO remember quiet times at home with my family. My core memories have nothing to do with big, organized events. 👇🏼What’s something that you think should be good for kids that just doesn’t work for your family??#goodinsideparenting #knowingyourkids #boundries #neurodivergentfamily #asdkids #ndaffirming #familytime #raisingkids #teachermom #adhdkids #teachermomlife #schooldance ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Write Solutions

4 months ago

Write Solutions
Hoping THIS funding stays safe. A beautiful message on such an important topic. ❤️Discover Sesame.org ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Write Solutions

6 months ago

Write Solutions
Might as well give me your best tips! I’m sure many of you have driven with vomit 🤦🏼‍♀️.#momlife #mentalloadofmotherhood #tiredmom #sleephygiene #insomnia #norovirus #drivingwithkids #teachermomlife ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Write Solutions

10 months ago

Write Solutions
Parents: Don’t miss this opportunity!Teachers: So many families are looking for exactly this!! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Latest on Pinterest

  • Best fast-growing hedges: 10 ideas for your boundaries | Homes and Gardens
  • Garden screening ideas: 24 ways to create privacy beautifully | Homes and Gardens
  • PAX corner wardrobe, white, 82 7/8/63 1/4x93 1/8 ". A deep and spacious corner wardrobe with space for all of the clothes and accessories. Particleboard.
  • SafeRacks Slim Deck Hooks - 2 Pack Accessory Hooks
  • 20 Brilliant Command Centers and Family Drop Zones
Follow Me on Pinterest

Copyright © 2025 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

%d