Math teachers: What’s the formula for a successful year? As you know, there are plenty of variables, but here’s one constant: being prepared for back-to-school season.Â
We’re here to help!Â
From fun math activities to positive tone-setting to professional learning opportunities and more, our strategies are designed to help you enter your math classroom for the new school year feeling energized, inspired, and supported by your math community.
1. First-day fun: Plan interactive math classroom activities.
Before launching into back-to-school math lessons, how about a few rounds of Icebreaker Bingo? Create a Bingo card inviting students to find classmates who can answer “yes†to math-related descriptions (e.g., “Enjoys cooking or baking,†“Plays a musical instrument,†“Likes to play board gamesâ€). Activities like these motivate students by helping them uncover common interests and reminding them that math is an integral part of “real life.â€
2. Student success: Work with school colleagues and leadership toward shared goals.Â
Review what systems may already be in place and consider adding more. You might:Â
- Schedule regular team meetings to set and work toward common goals.
- Establish a professional learning community to share math resources for teachers. For example: Consider hosting a to encourage collaborative professional learning from within the classroom.
- Amp up the use of data to inform decisions. Ask your team: What student performance data and assessment results can we use to see where improvements are needed?
3. Set the tone for the year: We are here to make mistakes.
As Math Teacher Lounge podcast co-host Dan Meyer says, “.†That’s not only normal, it’s actually good—as long as students know that. Start the year by reminding them that making mistakes is not only inevitable, but also essential. Normalizing being “wrong†encourages students to overcome fear of failure, take risks, and build confidence—in school math activities and beyond.
4. Grow together: Establish a math community.
Build a math ecosystem connecting students to one another and creating a continuum between the classroom and their everyday lives. You might:Â
- Establish in your classroom to build a classroom community focused on collaborative learning.Â
- Collaborate with students on writing a weekly math blog or math newsletter with classroom updates.
- Create simple but engaging math challenges for students and caregivers to do together, such as building toothpick towers or budgeting for a fantasy birthday party.
5. Use free professional learning opportunities for teachers from the math team at Amplify.
Explore our , designed to support you—along with your schools and districts—in using collaborative, effective, and engaging math practices in the classroom.
You can also check out our on-demand math webinar library on your own time. From quick tips to longer continuing education (CE) credit options, our library is sure to have just what you need.
Finally, our will:
- Help you craft a dynamic math curriculum during the crucial first weeks of school.
- Support student engagement and spark new inspiration in your classroom practices and activities.
- Offer learning opportunities you can access now or on demand whenever you need them.
- Make it even easier for you to implement the tips above setting math students up for success from day one of the school year!
