When most of us think about summer school lesson plans, we immediately think about remediation, review packets, and trying to squeeze an entire year’s worth of learning into a few short weeks. The challenge is that many of our students arrive at summer school already feeling frustrated about math. They know they’re spending part of their summer in a classroom while their friends are enjoying vacation. The last thing they want is another stack of worksheets. As teachers, we know that summer school serves an important purpose. It gives our students a chance to strengthen foundational skills, fill learning gaps, and build confidence before the next school year begins. The question then becomes how to make that review feel approachable and manageable for our students who may already be reluctant learners.

That is why I recommend using Math Wheels as you plan out your summer school lesson plans. They help your students review important concepts without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of staring at pages of problems, your students build a visual reference tool they can use throughout summer school and into the new year.

What Are Math Wheels and Why Do They Work so Well in Summer School Lesson Plans?

When I was in the classroom, I continuously noticed how overwhelming note-taking could be for my students. Some rushed through their work because they were worried about falling behind. Others became so overwhelmed that they froze and left very few notes on their papers. I realized many of my students were not struggling because they were incapable of learning the math. They were struggling because the information felt too overwhelming all at once.

That belief is what led me to start creating Math Doodle Wheels. Math Wheels are graphic organizers that combine guided notes, examples, vocabulary, practice opportunities, and visual learning into a single interactive activity. As you complete each section of the wheel with your students, they create a resource that serves as a study guide, reference sheet, and review tool all at once. Each section of the wheel focuses on one step, idea, or strategy at a time.

The visual design supports learning. Your students can color-code sections, highlight important vocabulary, and use different colors to organize examples and steps. I found that adding color often helped students retain information. When they reviewed their notes, many of my students could remember concepts by recalling what colors or doodles they had used. Having ongoing access to review materials helps reinforce learning and combat summer slide.

What you’ll love about math wheels is that they often change your students’ first impressions of a lesson. Instead of handing your students another review packet, you can give them something they can build. Many students view Math Wheels more like a project than traditional note-taking. They realize they can understand a math concept piece by piece. That shift in mindset often lowers anxiety and makes students more willing to participate.

Using Math Wheels in Summer School Lesson Plans to Prevent Summer Slide

One of the biggest goals of summer school lesson plans is preventing your students from losing important skills before the new school year begins. Summer slide can happen quickly when your students stop practicing concepts. Even your students who performed well during the school year may forget information after several weeks away from the classroom.

When I was in the classroom, I often used completed Math Wheels as part of our warm-up routine. If we had already completed a wheel, I might place one or two problems on the board at the beginning of class for that concept. Then, I would have students use their wheel as a reference while solving them. This allowed students to revisit previously learned concepts without the stress of trying to remember every step.

Another review strategy my students enjoyed was working with partners. After we had completed several Math Wheels, I would place my students into partnerships. Partners would each choose a different wheel and take turns reteaching the concept to one another. One student might explain a divisibility problem while the other walked through an order of operations example. Asking my students to teach a concept often revealed how well they understood the material, their ability to use math talk, and gave them additional chances to practice important vocabulary and problem-solving skills.

You can also use Math Wheels to build spiral review throughout your summer school lesson plans. Instead of completing an entire wheel in one lesson, consider spreading it across several days. For example, you might introduce one section of a Divisibility Rules wheel on Monday and then begin Tuesday’s lesson with a quick review question from Monday before adding a new section. On Wednesday, you can have your students review both previous sections before learning another rule.

A Simple Way to Use Math Wheels in Your Summer School Lesson Plans

If you are new to teaching summer school or just looking for fresh resources, you may be wondering how a Math Wheel fits into your daily schedule. The good news is that Math Wheels are flexible. They can be used in a variety of ways depending on the amount of instructional time you have available and your style of teaching.

Let’s say you are using the Divisibility Rules Math Wheel. You might begin class with two warm-up questions reviewing a previously taught skill. After reviewing the answers together, introduce the divisibility rule for 2 and complete that section of the wheel as a class. Model examples, discuss the rule, and have your students color-code what you color-code and write down what you write down.

Next, give your students several practice problems where they determine whether numbers are divisible by 2. Encourage them to use their wheel as a reference if needed. Before class ends, have your students explain the rule to a partner or complete an exit ticket. The following day, you’ll want to begin by reviewing the divisibility rule for 2 before adding the rule for 3.

This approach can be helpful for your students because it will help them stay engaged, as they are not trying to learn all the rules at once. Instead, they can focus on one piece at a time while continually revisiting previously learned skills. This is also helpful when you are tight on time. However, if this is not your preference for pacing or you have plenty of instructional time, then you can work through the wheel in one class period.

Using Foundational Math Wheels in Your Summer School Lesson Plans

When planning summer school lesson plans, I always recommend focusing on foundational skills first. Many of your students who attend summer school may have gaps in prerequisite skills that make new learning more difficult. That is why I believe certain math topics deserve extra attention during summer school. Skills such as multiplication facts, divisibility rules, properties, and the order of operations repeat throughout future math. When your students strengthen these concepts, they often find later topics much easier to understand.

The following Math Wheels are some of my favorite options for helping our students review essential concepts, avoid summer slide, and enter the new school year feeling more prepared.

Building Fact Fluency With Multiplication Facts

Multiplication facts are one of those foundational skills that impact nearly every future math concept. When your students struggle with multiplication fluency, they often encounter difficulties with fractions, division, ratios, algebra, and problem solving. That is why multiplication review deserves a place in many of your summer school lesson plans.

The Multiplication Facts Math Wheel gives your students an organized way to review facts from 1 through 10 while also providing opportunities to extend into 11s and 12s. Your students are not simply memorizing facts. They are identifying patterns, organizing information, and creating a resource they can continue using throughout the summer. I often found that my students knew some multiplication facts but lacked automaticity. They could eventually arrive at the correct answer, but every calculation required significant effort. This wheel gave my students a structured place to practice while also helping them recognize patterns that made multiplication easier to remember.

This wheel will work well in your summer school lesson plans because it can be used in many different ways. You can have your students complete sections during whole-group instruction, use the wheel during math centers, work independently, or take it home for additional practice. The flexibility makes it easy to adapt to the needs of your summer program.

Strengthening Number Sense Through Divisibility Rules

Many of your students learn divisibility rules during the school year, only to forget them a few months later. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), divisibility concepts show up repeatedly in future math topics. Your students will use them when working with factors, multiples, fractions, prime numbers, and algebraic reasoning.

The Divisibility Rules Math Wheel reviews divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 while also reviewing prime and composite numbers. Your students will be able to organize each rule into a visual format that makes the relationships between numbers easier to understand.

I frequently worked with students who could identify whether a number was even but struggled when asked whether it was divisible by 3 or 9. Once they had a visual reference that brought all the rules together, they began to notice patterns they had previously missed. The wheel helped transform a collection of memorized rules into a connected system of number relationships.

This type of review is especially valuable in summer school lesson plans because students can immediately apply the information. After completing the wheel, your students can use it during practice activities, partner work, and problem-solving tasks. Instead of constantly asking for reminders, they have a reference tool right in front of them.

Helping Your Students Recognize Patterns With Properties

One reason your students may struggle with math is that they sometimes view it as a collection of unrelated rules. Helping your students recognize patterns and relationships makes math feel more logical and much less intimidating. The Properties Math Wheel focuses on the commutative, associative, distributive, and identity properties of addition and multiplication. These concepts appear throughout elementary and middle school math and serve as important building blocks for algebraic thinking.

When I taught these concepts, I noticed that although students already used the properties, they didn’t really realize it or name it that way. They might rearrange factors during multiplication or break apart numbers mentally, but they couldn’t explain why their strategy worked. The wheel helped connect those strategies to formal math vocabulary.

Summer school lesson plans often focus heavily on procedural review, but conceptual understanding matters just as much. This wheel gives your students opportunities to see how math ideas connect. As your students begin recognizing these patterns, they often gain confidence because math starts to feel more predictable and understandable.

Reviewing Order of Operations in Summer School Lesson Plans

Order of operations is another skill students frequently forget over summer break. Many remember hearing ‘PEMDAS’ or ‘GEMDAS,’ but struggle to apply it correctly when solving actual problems. Summer school provides an excellent chance to revisit these procedures before your students encounter more complex expressions in future grades.

The Order of Operations Math Wheel organizes the process into clear sections. Some sections focus on grouping symbols, exponents, multiplication and division, and addition and subtraction. Rather than presenting everything at once, the wheel breaks the concept into manageable pieces.

I often found that students became overwhelmed because they tried to remember every step simultaneously. The visual structure of the wheel helped them slow down and focus on one part of the process at a time. As they practiced, they could easily refer back to previous sections whenever they needed support.

This wheel works particularly well in your summer school lesson plans because your students can continue using it throughout the session. Whether it stays in a notebook, hangs on a classroom wall, or serves as a reference during independent practice, the wheel provides ongoing support.

Helping Your Students Feel Successful

The most important goal of summer school lesson plans is not simply covering content. It’s helping your students believe they can be successful in math. Many of your students arrive at summer school carrying frustration from previous experiences. They may feel embarrassed about needing extra support or discouraged by past struggles. Those emotions can become barriers to learning if we are not intentional about building confidence alongside academic skills.

One thing I appreciate about Math Wheels is that they naturally break larger concepts into smaller pieces. Students can see their progress as they complete each section. Instead of staring at an entire page of problems, they focus on one task at a time.

By the end of the lesson, students have something tangible that represents their learning. They can hold their completed wheel, review what they’ve accomplished, and use it as a resource moving forward. Those small moments of success matter, especially during summer school when your students need encouragement as much as they need instruction.

Build Stronger Summer School Lesson Plans With Low-Prep Math Resources

If you’re creating summer school lesson plans, having engaging review resources can make your job much easier. Summer school often moves quickly. Your students may enter your classroom with a wide range of strengths and learning gaps. Having flexible resources available allows you to meet those varying needs while keeping your students engaged.

My collection of math wheels includes resources for multiple grade levels and math concepts. Whether your students need support with multiplication facts, divisibility rules, order of operations, fractions, geometry, number sense, or other foundational skills, you can find wheels that align with your summer curriculum and review goals.

You can also explore grade-level bundles for upper elementary and middle school math concepts. You’ll also find categories for resources that match the skills your students need most. In addition to Math Wheels, you will find task cards, review activities, color-by-number resources, centers, games, and complete units that help reinforce important concepts while making math more approachable for students.

Summer school lesson plans do not have to rely on endless worksheets and repetitive drills. With the right resources, you can create learning experiences that help your students strengthen skills, avoid summer slide, and build confidence before the next school year begins!

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Planning summer school lesson plans can feel overwhelming, especially when your students have different learning needs and skill gaps. Save this post so you can revisit these Math Wheel ideas when planning review lessons, intervention groups, math centers, or summer learning programs.

The post Using Math Wheels in Your Summer School Lesson Plans appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

If your students groan the second you say “grammar review,” you’re not alone. Grammar tends to get a bad rap, but it doesn’t have to be that way! With the right mix of games, movement, and creativity, grammar practice can actually become one of the most engaging parts of your ELA block. When grammar review includes a little bit of movement, choice, and friendly competition, your students will start to see it as a fun challenge rather than a chore. Here’s how you can make grammar review fun, interactive, and meaningful with a few activities that your students will love.

The Why Behind Grammar Review

Learning grammar is about more than just memorizing rules. It helps our students become better writers, readers, and communicators. When our students understand how language works, they can express themselves clearly and confidently in any subject.

For grammar review to really stick, it needs to be engaging. Our students need to practice skills in ways that are hands-on and thought-provoking. Whether that’s through a digital game, movement-based activity, or creative project, the key is giving them a reason to care about the content. When grammar practice becomes interactive, it starts to feel like a game instead of a worksheet. That’s when learning takes off!

Bring on the Fun With the Grammar Review Truth or Dare Game

One of my favorite ways to make grammar review feel like playtime is with the Digital Pronoun Truth or Dare Game. It’s available in Google Slides, which means you can assign it instantly through Google Classroom, share it in a center, or even project it on your board for whole-class play.

You’ll have your students choose either “Truth” or “Dare.” The Truth questions are worth one point and focus on identifying or correcting pronouns. The Dare questions are worth more, usually two or three points, and involve a bit more critical thinking. For a Dare card, your students might identify incorrect pronoun usage or classify pronouns in sentences.

To play digitally, you’ll have your students open the game in Edit mode so they can type directly in their answer boxes. They click on the Truth or Dare grid, choose a question, record their answer, and check it immediately on the answer slide. If you want to keep the focus on collaboration, let your students play in pairs and compare answers as they go.

If you prefer a whole-class setup, play the game in Presentation mode on your interactive board. Divide your class into two or three teams and have them take turns selecting questions. Your students can record their responses on the included printable sheet or a shared Google Form. It’s the perfect way to prep for an upcoming grammar quiz without it feeling like a test. This Truth or Dare review game is a lifesaver on Fridays, right before breaks, or when your students just need a fun way to reinforce what they’ve learned.

Add Movement to Grammar Review With Pronoun Task Cards

If you want your students up and moving, the Pronoun Task Cards are an amazing way to keep grammar review active and hands-on. This Footloose activity turns grammar practice into a mini scavenger hunt around the room.

You’ll want to print and laminate the 30 task cards for durability. You can also use the digital version for individual devices. Give each of your students a recording grid and have them start with one card. After answering the question on their grid, not on the card, they return the card to the spot around the room and move on to another. Continue until everyone’s answered as many as possible.

The questions cover everything from identifying subject, object, and possessive pronouns to spotting incorrect usage in sentences. Since the cards are short and varied, your students stay engaged and get lots of variety. For a digital twist, the resource includes a Google Slides version. Your students just click their answers and instantly get feedback on whether they were correct. This makes grammar review self-paced and self-checking. This makes the task cards perfect for centers, fast finishers, or at-home practice.

To keep the movement smooth and manageable, I like to set up clear expectations before starting. Tell your students to complete one card at a time. They can work at voice level one (a whisper tone). I also recommend having a 30-second timer easily seen by all of your students between switches. It keeps things running efficiently while letting your students enjoy the movement.

Visual Grammar Review With the Pronouns Wheel

The Pronouns Wheel is a great way to add color and creativity to your grammar review while giving your students a study tool. It’s designed around the three main pronoun types: subjective, objective, and possessive. It helps your students visualize the differences between them in an engaging, hands-on way. Each section of the wheel focuses on a pronoun type. They provide examples and space for your students to interact with the material as they learn.

When you introduce this activity in the classroom, you want to start by modeling how each pronoun type works. Once your students understand the basics, they fill in their own wheels using the fill-in version or the pre-filled one for quick review. As they identify pronouns, they color-code each section. Orange for subject, blue for object, and green for possessive. This color system turns into a built-in visual check for you to see who is grasping the concept at a glance. Your students can instantly spot patterns, compare examples, and refer back to their wheels any time they work on their writing.

The best part about the Pronouns Wheel is that it doubles as both a creative project and a study tool. Your students will love personalizing their wheels with color and doodles, making them proud to add them to their ELA notebooks. Over time, the wheels become a quick reference whenever pronouns come up again in other lessons. This simple yet effective tool transforms grammar review from an abstract concept into a visual and memorable experience. This helps your students retain what they learned long after the activity was over.

Tips for Managing Grammar Review Games

When games and movement become part of grammar review, the excitement can fill the room quickly. Sometimes a little too quickly. That’s why setting clear expectations at the start is so important. I always took a few minutes before beginning to explain how the activity would work, what voice level to use, and how to take turns fairly. This small investment of time made the entire experience smoother and kept the focus on learning rather than managing chaos.

As my students played, I found it helpful to give everyone a clear role in group or partner games. Having a reader, a recorder, and a checker kept everyone actively involved and prevented a few students from doing all the work. It also encouraged collaboration and accountability, both of which are essential when the classroom energy is high. For digital games, I recommend demonstrating how to navigate the slides and record scores before turning your students loose. This quick walkthrough ensured that the tech didn’t become a distraction and that your students could focus on the content.

Keeping grammar review fun doesn’t mean letting it get out of control. Adding a sense of structure, whether through time limits, rotating stations, or simple group routines, helps keep things engaging but productive. When your students know what’s expected, they can enjoy the laughter and excitement of grammar games. At the same time, they will not lose sight of their learning goals. With a few small adjustments, grammar review transforms from noisy and chaotic into lively and purposeful. A balance that makes it one of the most enjoyable parts of your ELA block.

Explore More Engaging ELA Activities

If you’re ready to bring even more excitement to your grammar lessons, explore my full collection of ELA activities. You’ll find creative ways to review every part of speech and reinforce figurative language. There are a variety of resources, such as color by number activities, doodle notes, and task card games, that make learning fun and memorable. These resources are perfect for adding variety to your grammar review. They will keep your students engaged and confident in their language skills all year long.

Make Grammar Review Something to Look Forward To

Grammar doesn’t have to be the part of the day your students dread. It can actually become something they look forward to. When you bring in activities that invite movement, creativity, and a touch of friendly competition, grammar transforms from a list of rules into an experience. These resources give your students different ways to interact with language, practice essential skills, and have fun while doing it. Whether they’re laughing through a game round, moving around the room to complete cards, or proudly showing off their colorful wheels, your students are building confidence and mastery through meaningful review. The best part is that each activity can fit seamlessly into your routine with little prep on your end. Once you see how engaged your students become, grammar review will turn into one of your favorite lessons to teach.

Save for Later

If you’re not ready to dive in just yet, save this post so you can come back when it’s time to plan your next grammar unit! Pin it to your favorite ELA or grammar review board on Pinterest, or bookmark it for those weeks when your lessons need a little extra spark. Having a few engaging grammar activities ready to go can make all the difference in keeping your students excited about learning and saving you valuable prep time.

The post How to Make Grammar Review Actually Fun (Yes, It’s Possible!) appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

When you think about learning, the first image that probably comes to mind is a teacher at the front of the room leading the lesson. But what if the most powerful learning moments happen when our students teach each other? That’s exactly what peer teaching, sometimes called “peer learning” or “peer-to-peer learning”, is all about. I loved seeing this in action in my own classroom. Whenever I gave my students opportunities to explain, correct, and guide each other, I noticed their confidence grow and their understanding deepen. Peer teaching wasn’t just another strategy to check off a list. It became one of the most effective ways to help my students truly own their learning.

What is Peer Teaching?

Peer teaching happens when our students take an active role in teaching their classmates. It can be as simple as explaining a math problem to a partner or as structured as working through a carefully designed peer activity. Although some teachers have different names for this concept, the heart of the idea is the same. Our students learn by teaching and supporting each other.

When I first introduced this idea, I realized that my students were also practicing communication, critical thinking, and leadership. Explaining why an answer was correct or incorrect required them to understand the concept at a deeper level. It also gave their classmates the chance to hear a peer’s perspective, which often made tricky skills click in a new way.

Over time, I found that peer teaching worked well in both math and ELA. Whether my students were discussing problem-solving steps or analyzing a piece of text, their learning was stronger when they explained their thinking to someone else.

The Benefits of Peer Teaching

The list of benefits that come with peer teaching is long, but let’s start with the big ideas. Our students retain more information when they actively engage with it. Listening to a lecture is one thing, but having to explain why a sentence needs a comma or how to solve a fraction problem makes the learning stick. I often saw my students master skills more quickly when they were responsible for teaching them to someone else.

Peer learning also builds collaboration and confidence. Some of your students who are usually quiet in whole-class discussions will come alive when working with a partner. They feel safe taking risks, asking questions, and even making mistakes because their partner is learning alongside them. It also gives your high-achievers the challenge of breaking down their thinking into clear explanations.

Peer teaching creates accountability in our students. Your students will know their partner is depending on them. With this knowledge, they are more motivated to pay attention and stay engaged. Instead of us, the teachers, being the only ones pushing them forward, they begin to push each other in the best way possible.

Peer Teaching in My Daily Language Program

One of my favorite resources to recommend when using peer teaching is my Daily Language program. Each day, your students receive partner sheets with two sentences that need editing. One partner works on one sentence while their partner works on the other. Then, they take turns explaining their corrections and identifying parts of speech for each other.

To help this go smoothly, the pages are labeled for Partner A and Partner B. Each page has one sentence that needs correcting and one sentence that is complete with the answers. Partner A’s sentence that needs correcting is the already corrected sentence for Partner B, and vice versa. This allows each person to explain their correction and the reasoning, while the other student checks their answers. The process keeps both students actively engaged in the entire activity.

This back-and-forth creates powerful peer-to-peer learning. Your students aren’t just fixing sentences. They are explaining why corrections mattered. Instead of just filling in all the answers, your students become the teachers. They guide each other through tricky grammar, irregular verbs, and punctuation rules. The discussions are memorable, and the act of teaching reinforces their own understanding.

As you use this resource, you will see a shift in how much more confident your students become over time. When my students could explain the difference between “telled” and “told” to their partner while backing it up with grammatical reasoning, I knew peer teaching was making a lasting impact.

Strategies for Peer Teaching in the Classroom

If you’re ready to try peer teaching in your own classroom, here are some strategies that worked well for me. You want to start small with partner activities. Assign each of your students a specific role, such as “explainer” and “checker.” This helps them stay focused and ensures that both partners contribute. My Daily Language program is built on this idea, with clear responsibilities for Partner A and Partner B.

Model the process first. I found it important to demonstrate what peer learning looked like before expecting my students to dive in on their own. I’d show them how to ask questions like, “Why did you make that correction?” or, “Can you explain your reasoning?” so they knew what productive peer conversations sounded like.

Rotate partners regularly. While letting your students choose partners can sometimes work, mixing things up gives them a chance to learn from different perspectives. It also keeps the activity fresh and prevents your students from falling into passive roles.

Building in reflection is key. After peer teaching activities, give your students a chance to share what they learned from their partner. This not only reinforces the content but also highlights the value of collaboration.

Why Peer Teaching Works

At the end of the day, peer teaching is about more than just sharing the workload. It’s about creating a community of learners. When your students take ownership of teaching each other, they gain confidence, build stronger relationships, and deepen their understanding in ways that teacher-led instruction alone can’t always reach.

I saw the power of peer learning most clearly in my Daily Language program. Watching my students correct, explain, and support each other showed me just how effective this strategy could be. If you want your classroom to be filled with collaboration, critical thinking, and engaged learners, peer teaching is a strategy worth trying!

Try Peer Teaching in Your Classroom

If you are interested in giving peer teaching a try in your classroom, then make sure to grab one free week of my Daily Language program. In this free resource, you will get everything you need to complete Week 1 of Daily Language using peer teaching. It’s the perfect way to try it out with your students. I know that once you do, you too will see the amazing benefits of this methodology.

Already know you love peer teaching and want more of it in your classroom? My Daily Language Peer Teaching resource is your answer. It’s an easy way to get your students interacting, collaborating, and teaching while also focusing on key spelling and grammar skills. The Daily Language Bundle gives you everything you need for the entire school year to give your students consistent opportunities to strengthen their grammar, writing, and peer learning skills.

Save for Later

Want to come back to these ideas when you’re ready to dive into peer teaching? Just pin this post to your favorite teaching board so you’ll have it handy whenever you need a quick reminder. That way, you’ll be ready to explore peer learning strategies and see how my Daily Language program can bring even more collaboration into your classroom!

The post Peer Teaching: Overview, Benefits & Strategies for the Classroom appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

It can be tough to watch a student stare blankly at a math worksheet, arms folded, refusing to even pick up a pencil. As educators, it’s easy to wonder what went wrong or how to reach them. The truth is, student motivation isn’t always about laziness or defiance. It’s often about fear, frustration, feeling like they don’t belong, or something not even related to math or school. That means there is a way back.

Motivating your students who have mentally checked out doesn’t need to be a high-pressure process. In fact, small, low-stress shifts can make a big difference in helping your students re-engage. Today, I’m sharing practical strategies that can help support student motivation, especially in upper elementary and middle school math classrooms where resistance can run high.

Let’s dive into what to do when your students refuse to try. We’ll talk about how to rebuild their confidence, spark their interest, and make math feel achievable again.

Focus on Building Relationships

Sometimes, the best academic strategy is a personal one. Student motivation is deeply connected to whether or not a student feels seen. When your student believes that their teacher knows them, cares about them, and expects them to succeed, they’re far more likely to re-engage, even if they’ve been shutting down for weeks.

That connection doesn’t need to come through grand gestures, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But with intentional steps focused on seeing the people in your classroom as more than just students, you can develop a deeper connection.

Simple actions like remembering a favorite book series, checking in about a pet, or following up after a student’s extra-curricular activity lets them know that you see more about them than just their math grade. And. . . to students, this matters! These small acts build the kind of trust that turns “no thanks” into “I’ll try.”

When your student refuses to try, it’s rarely just about the math problem in front of them. It’s about how they feel in that moment. Sometimes, that has more to do with things happening at home or away from school. By making relationships an important part of your teaching, you create a safe space for students to share when something is bothering them. And. . . if they don’t feel comfortable sharing with you, you at least have the ability to encourage them to talk with someone else.

Having someone who consistently checks in, encourages effort, and believes in their potential makes a big difference in whether they decide to engage in the classroom.

Student Motivation Starts With Emotional Safety

Before jumping into strategies and lesson tweaks, it’s important to create a learning environment where your students feel emotionally safe. This makes your classroom a safe space to try and fail, but it also opens the door to a deeper relationship.

Other times, student motivation is directly connected with school or learning. When your students feel embarrassed, overwhelmed, or worried about how they look in front of peers, their go-to reaction is often to shut down. That’s why building a classroom culture where mistakes are welcomed and celebrated is foundational for student motivation.

One way to support this is by modeling how to handle errors. When you make a mistake and openly talk through it, your students learn that getting something wrong doesn’t mean you’re bad at math. It means you’re learning. Being intentional with how we speak during class, like “we celebrate effort” and “we try before we ask,” can go a long way in resetting class expectations and removing the stigma of struggle.

Sometimes, just a quiet, one-on-one check-in can open the door. Asking your student, “What part is making this feel hard today?” creates space for them to reflect without feeling judged. That question alone may be the first step toward rebuilding trust and opening the door to trying again.

Student Motivation Grows Through Small Wins

When your students feel defeated before they even start, it’s usually because the task feels impossible. That’s why celebrating small wins is such a powerful motivator. Student motivation often kicks in after they see themselves succeeding, not before. If a task is too long, too difficult, or lacks structure, it’s more likely to trigger refusal.

Breaking assignments into smaller chunks with quick, clear checkpoints makes success feel within reach. This might look like giving a problem set in parts or setting a 3-minute timer and saying, “Let’s just try one together, then see what you think.” These micro-goals keep things moving and help your students shift from avoidance to action.

Praise matters too, but it works best when it’s specific. Rather than saying “good job,” try “I saw how you kept working even when that second step felt confusing. That’s persistence.” Recognizing the process, not just the outcome, helps reinforce a growth mindset. It also builds a stronger foundation for long-term student motivation.

Increase Student Motivation With Choice and Voice

One of the fastest ways to reignite student motivation is to hand some of the decision-making back to the learner. Middle schoolers, especially, crave autonomy. They may not always articulate it, but feeling like they have control over their learning path can be a game-changer, especially when they’ve been stuck in a pattern of refusing to try.

Try offering controlled choices. Instead of “You have to do this,” shift the language to “Which of these two would you like to start with?” Whether it’s choosing between two problem sets, selecting a math strategy to try, or even picking where to sit during practice time, small choices add up. They give your students a sense of ownership that can jumpstart their willingness to engage.

Incorporating voice can also mean letting your students reflect on their own learning. Quick check-in slips, “How hard did this feel today?” or “What helped you stay on track?” can empower them to recognize their own growth and patterns. These insights not only boost student motivation but they also give you valuable data to inform future lessons.

Improve Motivation With Low-Stakes Practice

One common reason your students refuse to try is the fear of being wrong, especially in math, where there’s often a “right” answer. Your students can feel anxious about making mistakes in front of peers or on graded work. That’s why integrating low-stakes practice can be a game-changer for student motivation.

Use warm-up problems, exit tickets, or math puzzles that aren’t graded but still connect to the day’s lesson. Emphasize that these activities are about progress, not perfection. When your students know there’s no penalty for trying, they often surprise you with what they’re willing to attempt.

Consider including whiteboard practice, self-checking activities, or digital math tools where your students can get immediate feedback without the pressure of a grade. Low-stakes practice helps your students see effort as valuable and learning as a process.

Student Motivation and Peer Influence: The Power of Positive Collaboration

Peers play a huge role in shaping classroom behavior, especially in middle school. If a student sees others disengaging, they might follow suit. The reverse is also true. Student motivation can rise when your students are surrounded by peers who are encouraging, collaborative, and engaged.

Try using strategic grouping or peer partnerships to shift the tone in the room. Pair your student who’s hesitant with someone patient and supportive. This does not necessarily mean the strongest academic performer. Sometimes, your students just need to hear, “Hey, I struggle with this too. Let’s figure it out together.”

Planning math tasks that require collaboration can build both confidence and classroom culture. When your students experience success through teamwork, their willingness to try again, independently or with others, often increases.

Student Motivation Builds When Expectations Are Clear and Consistent

Sometimes, your students appear unmotivated simply because they’re unclear on what’s expected. They may feel overwhelmed by instructions, unsure of the goal, or unaware of how to begin. Student motivation tends to improve when routines are predictable and expectations are clearly communicated.

Use visual cues, anchor charts, and consistent language across lessons to help your students stay grounded. For example, start every class with a “Today We’re Learning…” slide and end with “Before You Leave, Try This…” It’s a small shift that helps your students mentally organize their learning.

When directions and routines feel second nature, your students spend less mental energy figuring out how to do something and more on actually doing it. That clarity gives your students the mental space to take risks and engage more meaningfully, even on tasks they once avoided.

Have Students Track Their Own Progress

Many students who refuse to try genuinely don’t believe they’re making progress. That’s why visible learning is so important for student motivation. When your students can track their own growth, no matter how small, they begin to internalize that their effort leads to results.

Try using simple progress trackers, goal-setting sheets, or reflection pages. For example, your students might set a goal at the start of a unit. Each week, they receive their work back with scores and feedback. They then track their progress on their progress trackers so that by the end of the unit, they can see how much they’ve grown.

This kind of reflection increases ownership and creates a natural opportunity to celebrate growth. Even if your students didn’t fully master a skill, they might recognize that they’ve moved from “I don’t get it at all” to “I can do it with help.” That’s progress worth celebrating.

Strengthen Motivation By Explaining the Relevance Behind the Learning

One final key to increasing student motivation is to make the work feel meaningful. When your students ask, “When am I ever going to use this?” they’re not being disrespectful. They’re being honest. They want to know that the work in front of them matters and connects to their world.

Whenever possible, tie math concepts to real-life situations. Use relatable scenarios like budgeting for a party, planning a trip, or comparing prices at a store. Better yet, let your students help create the context. Ask, “What’s something you’ve had to make a decision about lately that involved numbers?” That relevance makes the learning personal, and personal learning sticks.

It’s even better if your students get to apply what they’re learning in a project-based format. Solving real problems, designing solutions, or investigating patterns gives the work weight. When the work matters, effort often follows. Student motivation can skyrocket when your students feel like they’re doing something real.

Final Thoughts on Student Motivation in the Math Classroom

Student motivation isn’t a switch you flip. When your students refuse to try, it doesn’t mean they’re unreachable. It means they need a new approach, a new spark, and maybe someone who believes in their ability to get back up and try again.

Based on the strategies I shared with you today, you can gently guide your students back toward learning. These strategies don’t require elaborate plans or daily rewards. They’re simple, thoughtful shifts that create a classroom where motivation can grow naturally, even after a tough day. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is to quietly stand beside your students and remind them, “You can do hard things. Let’s try together.”

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Managing a middle school classroom has never been easy. In the last few years, it feels like the challenges have only grown. Our students are more distracted, and staying quiet feels like an impossible battle. Keeping them engaged, especially when working with small groups, takes more effort than ever. If you’ve found yourself searching for new ways to keep your class on track, you’re not alone! Today, I’m diving into classroom management strategies that work in today’s middle school classrooms.

The Reality of Why Classroom Management Strategies Are Needed

Let’s be honest. Middle school classrooms are louder, more distracted, and harder to manage than they used to be. If you’re sitting there nodding along, know that you aren’t alone in that view! Teachers everywhere are feeling it. The constant struggle to get your students quiet, keep them on task, and minimize disruptions is exhausting. It’s also taking away valuable learning time.

When a handful of your students won’t stop talking, the entire class suffers. When off-task behavior pulls focus, lessons take longer. Engagement drops. It’s easy to feel like you’re spending more time managing behaviors than actually teaching. Add in the challenge of technology distractions, social drama spilling into class time, and shorter attention spans, and it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling drained.

Here’s something I want you to remember: these struggles aren’t a sign of failure. They’re a reflection of how classrooms have evolved and why we need fresh classroom management strategies to keep up. Small shifts in approach can make a big difference. Let’s explore what’s working right now to help you regain control, refocus your students, and reclaim valuable instructional time.

Setting the Tone With Clear Classroom Management Strategies

Middle schoolers may act like they don’t need structure, but the truth is they thrive when expectations are clear and consistent. With so many distractions competing for their attention, your students need more than just a one-time explanation of the rules. They need repetition, reinforcement, and real accountability. Setting the tone early (and sticking with it) can make all the difference when it comes to effective classroom management strategies.

Make Expectations Crystal Clear

On day one, expectations need to be laid out in a way that leaves no room for confusion. The middle school brain is constantly shifting focus. Just because something was said once doesn’t mean it will stick. Plus, they’re kids, and they will try to find every loophole known to man. Revisiting expectations regularly, especially after breaks, long weekends, or when behaviors start to slip, keeps things fresh in their minds. It’s not about lecturing them every day but instead weaving reminders into daily routines. Before group work begins, a simple, “Remember, when I raise my hand, it’s time to wrap up your conversations,” can prevent chaos before it starts.

When introducing or reviewing expectations, I would complete a Class Expectations Doodle Wheel with my students. We would collaborate on what we all wanted to see as expectations to create a respectful learning environment. This way, they would have a graphic organizer conveniently in their folders to refer to if reminders were needed for expectations. This can also be enlarged to make a class expectations poster!

Follow Through Without the Power Struggle

One of the biggest frustrations in the classroom can be feeling like you’re constantly repeating yourself without seeing real change. The key is in the follow-through. When expectations aren’t reinforced consistently, your students pick up on it quickly. If there’s a rule about staying quiet during direct instruction, but nothing happens when they continue to whisper, that rule loses its weight. Enforcing boundaries doesn’t have to mean confrontation. A quiet pause, a look, or a pre-established consequence can be far more effective than raising your voice. When your students realize that you mean what you say, they begin to self-regulate.

Proactive Strategies for Reinforcing Expectations

The more proactive classroom management strategies are, the less time is spent reacting. Visual reminders posted in the classroom, structured routines that leave little room for confusion, and class agreements that your students help create all help expectations stick. When your students feel like they have a role in setting the tone of the classroom, they’re more likely to take ownership of their behavior. The goal isn’t to micromanage. It’s to create a learning environment where your students know exactly what’s expected of them and trust that those expectations will be upheld.

Classroom Management Strategies for a Talkative Class

Getting middle schoolers to stop talking and stay quiet can feel impossible some days. The volume level in classrooms has crept up over the years. With shorter attention spans, more social distractions, and post-pandemic shifts in student behavior, keeping things under control is tougher than ever. Here is a reality check for us to come to terms with: expecting total silence at all times isn’t just unrealistic, but it’s not always necessary. The key is knowing when to allow structured conversation and when to rein it in so learning can actually happen.

Silence Isn’t the Goal—Controlled Noise Is

Middle school students are social by nature. Fighting against that instinct completely will always be an uphill battle. Honestly, dying on that hill isn’t worth it in the grand scheme of things. Instead of aiming for absolute silence, the focus should be on managing when and how your students talk. There’s a difference between productive conversation and off-task chatter. Giving them structured opportunities to discuss, like partner shares, group work, or designated question times, helps prevent random talking during direct instruction. When they know there’s a built-in time to talk to one another, they’re more likely to hold off instead of interrupting.

Using Cues That Actually Work

For many of us, the days of saying “I’ll wait” and standing silently at the front of the room don’t work like they used to. Instead, cues that create a quick response are far more effective. A simple call-and-response like “Class?”—“Yes?” or a countdown that signals when they need to be silent can be powerful tools. Visual reminders, like holding up fingers or using a classroom noise meter, also keep expectations clear without needing constant verbal redirections. The key is consistency. If your students learn that these cues mean something every time, they’ll begin to respond automatically.

Let Movement and Discussion Work in Your Favor

One of the biggest reasons your students talk when they shouldn’t is because they’re restless. Middle schoolers weren’t built to sit still for long stretches. When they feel like they’re trapped in their seats, their energy finds a way out. Usually in the form of talking. Building in quick movement breaks, hands-on activities, or interactive discussions can help reduce unnecessary chatter. If they know they’ll have a chance to move or talk soon, they’re more likely to focus during the times when they need to be quiet.

Managing noise isn’t just about setting rules. It’s also about structuring transitions effectively so your students don’t feel the need to talk at the wrong times. We share even more strategies for smoother transitions in our podcast episode, Tackling Transitions in the Classroom.

Classroom Management Strategies for Off-Task Behavior

No matter how engaging the lesson is, there’s always a handful of students who are zoning out, doodling in their notebooks, or whispering to their friends. The problem is that their off-task behavior pulls others off-track, too. Keeping your students engaged during instruction requires a different approach than it did even a few years ago.

Engagement First, Redirection Second

The best way to minimize off-task behavior is to prevent it before it starts. Students actively involved in learning don’t have time to get distracted. That means making instruction as engaging as possible by breaking up direct teaching with discussion, movement, or interactive elements. Even simple shifts like quick check-ins, turn-and-talk moments, or digital tools can make a huge difference. If your students know they’ll be participating instead of just listening, they’re more willing to stay focused.

Even with the best lesson planning, some of your students will still drift. Instead of stopping the entire class to redirect one student, quick and subtle corrections can be more effective. Walking toward them, giving a quick tap on their desk, or making eye contact can get them back on track without creating a bigger disruption. When needed, a private conversation is always better than calling a student out in front of the whole class.

Setting Up a Classroom That Minimizes Distractions

Sometimes, off-task behavior isn’t just about interest level, it’s about the environment. A classroom setup that naturally keeps your students accountable can help cut down on distractions before they happen. Seating students strategically, placing frequently off-task students closer to the front, and keeping high-traffic areas free from unnecessary movement all make a difference.

Timers and visual countdowns are a big help here as well for staying on task. When they know exactly how much time they have left for an activity, they’re more likely to stay engaged instead of drifting off. Clear time limits give structure to lessons and help your students manage their focus more effectively.

The Power of Checking In

Some of your students are off-task because they’re bored. Others are struggling in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. A student who isn’t engaged might not understand the lesson, might be dealing with outside stress, or might need extra support to stay on track. Taking time for regular check-ins can provide insight into what’s really going on. These check-ins could look like quick one-on-one conversations, exit tickets, or small-group reteaching. When your students feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to stay focused and put in the effort.

Off-task behavior can be frustrating. It often comes down to how we structure our lessons and expectations. We talk more about effective behavior management in what has become our most podcast episode, Behavior and Discipline in the Classroom.

Classroom Management Strategies for Keeping Students On Task While Working With Small Groups

One of the biggest challenges in a middle school classroom is keeping your students on task while working with small groups. The moment your attention shifts to focus on a smaller set of students, it’s like an open invitation for off-task behavior. Conversations get louder, and side activities are more appealing. Suddenly, half the class is doing anything but the work they’re supposed to be doing. It’s frustrating because small-group instruction is where so much of the real learning happens. With the right classroom management strategies, it’s possible to maintain control without constantly stopping to redirect.

Setting Up the Rest of the Class for Success

The best way to keep your students on track during small-group time is to make sure they know exactly what they should be doing before the group even starts. Clear, structured routines help eliminate the “What am I supposed to be doing?” moments that lead to distractions. It also gives little room for excuses. Whether it’s independent work, partner tasks, or a tech-based activity, your students should always have something meaningful to focus on. This isn’t the time for busy work. It needs to be engaging enough that they stay involved without constant supervision.

A visible task list or agenda, such as a Must-do and May-do list, can also help keep things running smoothly. If your students can glance up and see what they should be working on, they’re less likely to interrupt small-group time with questions. I recommend using timers to break independent work into smaller chunks. They are great for signaling when it’s time to transition or check their progress.

Holding Students Accountable Without Constant Supervision

Accountability is key. When your students know they’ll be responsible for completing a task, they’re more likely to stay focused. Built-in checkpoints can keep them on track, like a reflection sheet, a self-check station, or a quick partner discussion at the end of the period. Even a simple expectation like “At the end of this time, I’ll call on three students to share what they worked on” can create just enough pressure to keep them engaged.

Sometimes, a quiet presence is enough to deter off-task behavior. Circulating between groups when possible, even just a quick lap around the room, can subtly remind your students that they’re still accountable for their work. For chronic off-task students, a designated workspace closer to the teacher’s small group can help keep them focused.

Your students are much more likely to stay on task when they feel responsible within the classroom community. We explain how to build a strong classroom culture in the podcast episode Establishing a Positive Classroom Culture.

Managing Noise Levels Without Losing Small-Group Focus

Noise control is often the biggest battle during small-group work. Your students assume that because the teacher is busy, they can chat freely. Setting clear noise expectations from the start is important. Using a noise-level chart, a visual cue, or a silent signal like raising a hand can help maintain a productive work environment.

For students who consistently struggle to stay quiet, assigning specific roles within their work, like a “team leader” responsible for keeping noise levels in check, can create more peer accountability. When your students take ownership of their own behavior, they’re less likely to push boundaries.

Managing the rest of the class while leading small groups isn’t easy, but it is possible with clear routines, accountability, and structured noise expectations. Once these strategies are in place, small-group instruction can be what it’s meant to be: an opportunity for deeper learning without constant interruptions.

Classroom Management Strategies Make a Difference

Managing a middle school classroom has always been a challenge. The struggles you are facing today feel more intense than ever. Keeping students quiet, minimizing distractions, and maintaining focus during small-group instruction can feel like a constant battle. The good news is that small shifts in classroom management strategies can lead to big results.

Middle schoolers may be unpredictable, but they also crave structure, consistency, and connection. When they know what’s expected, trust their teacher to follow through, and feel engaged in their learning, classroom disruptions decrease. While no strategy will magically eliminate every challenge, the right approach can help you feel more in control and create a learning environment where you and your students can thrive.

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Have you ever stumbled across a math activity that seemed like the perfect fit for your students, only to realize it needed just a little tweaking to make it truly work? I’ve been there! Sometimes, you find an amazing resource, but it doesn’t quite match the specific needs or abilities of your class. That’s where my creative math activities come into play. These activities allow you to take an idea, personalize it, and create something that aligns with your students’ unique learning goals. The possibilities are endless, whether it’s adjusting the difficulty, incorporating a new theme, or adding a hands-on twist. Today, I’m sharing some create-your-own options for some creative math activities.

Why Creative Math Activities Make a Difference

There’s something amazing about seeing a student light up when they finally “get it,” especially in math! That moment often happens when the lesson feels personal, approachable, and maybe even a little fun. Creative math activities give us the flexibility to design learning experiences that meet our students right where they are.

By tailoring activities to your class’s needs, you’re not just reinforcing math skills. You’re creating a learning environment where your students feel confident and capable. Maybe your group thrives on hands-on challenges, or perhaps your students love anything with a storytelling element. When you build your creative math activities, you can tap into those interests and make math feel less like work and more like play.

These activities allow you to break away from one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, you can focus on what works for your students. It’s about building connections and showing them that math can be fun, approachable, and something they can succeed at every single day.

Getting Started With Creative Math Activities

Now that we’ve talked about why creative math activities make such a difference let’s dive into how you can get started. Whether you’re looking for ways to add a personal touch to existing lessons or want to create something completely from scratch, I’ve got you covered. I’ll share some versatile templates you can quickly and easily adapt to fit your classroom. Don’t reinvent the wheel – these templates are the perfect starting place.

Truth or Dare Template

The editable Truth or Dare template is such a fun and flexible way to create an engaging classroom game! To get started, think about what subject or topic you want to focus on. Maybe it’s math, vocabulary, or even science concepts. Whatever fits your students’ needs best. Once you’ve picked a theme, dive into the “Truth” sections. This is where you can add true or false questions that get your students thinking and showing off what they know. For example, in math, a Truth question could be, “Two equivalent ratios are called a proportion.”

Then there’s the “Dare” section, which is perfect for more interactive tasks. You can challenge students to solve a problem under a time limit or even solve a more complex problem. The great thing about this template is how easy it is to edit. You can customize the placeholders with your questions, add as many slides as you need, and even throw in some visuals like pictures, diagrams, or icons to make it pop.

Once your game is set, decide how you want to play. You can have your students choose “Truth” or “Dare,” or mix it up and assign them randomly. It’s all about making learning fun and engaging. After putting everything together, testing the game with a small group is a great way to ensure it flows smoothly and hits your learning goals. This paper template and the digital template make it easy to bring excitement into your lessons while keeping your students on their toes.

Create Your Own Color By Number

My Create Your Own Color by Number resources provide a customizable way for you to design engaging math or review activities tailored to your classroom needs. Start by printing the desired template pages from the PDF. These templates include sections where you can input your own questions and corresponding answer choices. For each question, you’ll assign a letter on the coloring page that corresponds to specific sections your students will color based on their answers. For example, if a student answers question one correctly, they might color all the “A” sections orange.

Customize the activity by typing in your questions. These can be math problems, vocabulary words, or any review math problems relevant to your subject. For each question, write the answer choices and assign colors to both correct and incorrect responses. The provided guides in the resource help you align your answers to the color patterns to ensure the final image is fun and visually appealing.

You can add a personal touch by changing the title of the page. You can even adjust the color combinations to match a theme, such as holiday colors or classroom-specific palettes. Once everything is set, save your version as a PDF and print it for your students to enjoy.

This Color By Number resource makes it simple to create tailored, creative math activities that reinforce learning. They provide a creative and relaxing way for your students to engage with the material. If you want to use less paper, make sure to check out the Pixel Art or digital Color By Number resources.

Wheel Templates for Notes or a Memory Wheel

One of my favorite classroom tools are Doodle Wheels! These wheels have an amazing way of breaking down complicated tasks and organizing information in a way that just clicks with students. You can learn more about Doodle Wheels in this blog post. And now, you can use these Wheel templates to create your own Doodle Wheels! They are such a versatile tool for the classroom! They’re perfect for note-taking, breaking down tricky math concepts, or even creating a memory wheel to help your students remember important events from the year. With 32 different templates to choose from, there’s so much room to get creative. Eight templates include fun backgrounds, giving your wheels some extra flair.

Each wheel can be customized to fit your needs, with options to divide them into 4, 5, 6, or 8 sections. This flexibility lets you adapt the template for anything from summarizing key ideas to organizing information in bite-sized chunks. The shell is your blank canvas. You can add text boxes, shapes, and other details to make the activity engaging and informative.

To use the wheel, start by selecting a template and adding a title in the center and headings for each section. Fill in the sections with the information your students need to know, whether it’s steps for solving a math problem or definitions for important vocabulary. For an interactive twist, you can also add practice problems or prompts around the outside of the wheel. Once your wheel is ready, print and copy it for your students to use.

These wheel templates offer an easy way to keep students engaged while organizing content clearly and visually appealingly. They’re a great addition to any lesson as creative math activities.

Note-Taking Graphic Organizers Templates

My Graphic Organizers resource offers an easy way for you to create your own customized tools for learning. These templates come in various shapes and configurations, including rectangles and squares. They have sections divided into 4, 6, or 8 parts. Some designs even feature a circular or ovular center, adding a unique touch to the organizers.

In math, these templates are incredibly useful. They can help your students organize information or create a flow chart showing the steps used to solve a problem. But why stop at math? There really isn’t a topic that a graphic organizer can’t be used for. Here are just a few examples of how you can make a graphic organizer your own:

• Use a rectangular organizer to break down the steps for solving multi-step equations
• Use a square organizer to compare and contrast different geometric shapes
• Use a circular organizer for visualizing parts of a whole, such as fractions, decimals, or percentages
• Use a graphic organizer with a center space for planning a writing
• Take a deep dive into vocabulary words by using each space to focus on a different way to break down the word (i.e. part of speech, synonyms, antonyms, prefixes or suffixes)

Easily Make Them Fit Your Needs

Once the template is selected, you will need to upload it to a program where you can add text boxes in order to customize it for your purposes. I suggest uploading the PDF to Google Docs or Canva. Both of these programs allow you to use the PDF as the background and add your own text or images on top. It really is as easy as adding text boxes or images.

You can add a title to the center or top of the organizer and fill in the sections with headings or prompts. For a more interactive twist, leave some sections blank for your students to complete themselves. You can also incorporate visuals, like small illustrations or icons, to make the organizers more engaging. Take a look at how 8 words and 4 small images created a custom activity to kick off a new writing. It really can be that easy!

After customizing the template with text, shapes, or colors, print and copy it for your students to use during lessons. Whether you’re teaching math, ELA, science, or any other subject, these graphic organizers offer a simple, effective way to help your students organize their work or notes.

Inspire Learning With Creative Math Activities

Bringing creative math activities into your classroom is a rewarding way to engage your students and make learning math an exciting experience. These activities let you tailor lessons to meet the unique needs of your learners. They not only help your students master math concepts but also encourage them to think critically and have fun along the way. So, get creative, try something new, and watch your students thrive!

Additional Resources for Creative Math Activities

There are so many other creative math activities you can explore to make learning engaging and fun for your students. From hands-on activities to interactive games, the possibilities are endless. Let’s check out some additional ideas you can easily adapt to your classroom!

• Creative Activities to Practice the Coordinate Plane
• Fun & Effective Activities for Teaching the Types of Angles
• All the Best Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Resources in One Place

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Remember to save this post to your favorite math Pinterest board for quick access to these creative math activities that you can make yourself!

The post Creative Math Activities You Can Make for Your Classroom appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

I love teaching problem solving to my middle schoolers! By this stage in their math journey, they’ve already laid a foundation. Now, I get to show them all the different ways they can approach a problem. It’s so rewarding to see how unique each student is, especially when one strategy works great for one and another for someone else. In the end, though, they all reach the right answer, which is what really matters. This process also sparks some amazing, authentic math conversations in the classroom. Today, I’m excited to share all the posts I’ve written to help with teaching problem solving!

Helping our students develop problem solving skills can be difficult. It takes time and lots of opportunities to practice those skills. Over the years I’ve used a variety of teaching strategies and activities when it comes to problem solving. Some worked well and some not so much. So I’ve pulled together the things that worked well to share with you here. I hope that as you read through the posts you will find some nuggets that will help you make teaching problem solving easier and more effective.

Roundup of Posts for Teaching Problem Solving

Teaching Math Problem Solving Strategies

This post is all about helping our students develop strong problem-solving skills through a variety of strategies. I highlight different approaches that can guide our students in breaking down math problems, making them more manageable and less intimidating. It also dives into why exposing our students to multiple strategies is important. It gives them the tools to find what works best for their individual learning styles.

My Problem Solving Doodle Notes resource is a fantastic tool for teaching problem solving in a way that’s interactive and visually engaging for students. In this blog post, I share how I’ve used this resource to teach a variety of problem solving strategies that make breaking down math problems easier. The doodle notes allow my students to keep track of various strategies like guessing and checking, working backward, drawing diagrams, and making organized lists. What I love most about this resource is how it encourages students to take ownership of their learning by keeping these notes as a reference all year long. It’s a fun and effective way to reinforce different methods for teaching problem solving!

To learn more about these problem solving strategies and the doodle notes read the full article here.

How to Teach Real Life Math Problem Solving Activities

My next post is all about building strong problem-solving skills in our students using real-life math activities. My experience in the classroom has led me to the conclusion that students love math when they see its relevance. There’s nothing more relevant than real-life examples of how problem solving skills are used in the day-to-day.

In this post, I explore different strategies that help students break down complex problems. This helps to make them feel less overwhelmed and more approachable. The post also explains why it’s important to introduce a variety of methods so that our students can discover what works best for them. By providing them with options, we empower them to choose strategies that fit their learning style.

5 Ways to Practice Problem Solving in Middle School

The next post emphasizes the importance of teaching students to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. This one step helps them feel more confident and less overwhelmed. I also explore how teaching problem-solving approaches, such as drawing diagrams, working backward, and using logical reasoning, gives our students the flexibility to find the best method for their unique learning style.

The post also explains why building these skills is crucial for our students’ overall math success. It acknowledges that our students will face more challenging concepts. If you’re looking for ways to make teaching problem solving engaging and effective, this post offers a range of techniques that can be easily incorporated into your lessons!

Decimal Operations Math Problem Solving

Sometimes our problem solving skills change a little when it comes to specific skills and concepts. In this post, I share tips and ideas for teaching problem solving when it comes to decimals. I focus on helping students strengthen their problem solving skills through decimal operations.

This post dives into different strategies that guide our students in working through multi-step problems involving decimals. I share how I have taught problem solving skills that make the process feel less daunting. By including a variety of methods, our students can approach decimal problems from angles that make sense to them. Some of the problem solving skills I share in this post include teaching students how to use estimation, logical reasoning, or step-by-step calculations. This post highlights the importance of practicing these skills to build confidence and accuracy when tackling decimal operations. If your students are struggling with decimals and problem solving, this post is a must read!

Help Middle School Math Students Improve Problem Solving Skills

Ready to help your students expand their repertoire of problem solving strategies? This post will help! This post dives into effective ways to help middle schoolers improve their problem-solving skills in math. It covers different approaches that can simplify the process for our students. These approaches can break problems down step by step and make them more approachable.

By introducing a variety of strategies, our students gain the tools they need to navigate more complex math problems with confidence. The post also emphasizes the importance of consistency and practice in building these skills. If you’re looking for actionable ways to support your students’ growth in math while teaching problem solving, I share some great tips in this post!

Problem Solving Math Wheels

If you’ve been a follower, then you probably already know how much I loved using math wheels in the classroom. They are one of my absolute favorite tools for students. In this post, I dive into how you can use the Problem Solving Math Wheel to teach a variety of problem solving strategies.

These wheels allow our students to visually break down problems step by step. They also help them organize their strategies and make connections between different methods. By rotating through various approaches, such as guess and check, working backward, or drawing diagrams, our students can see how each technique plays a role in finding the solution. It’s a fantastic way to make abstract concepts more concrete. When we do, we are giving our students the tools to confidently approach math problems. Whether you’re working on basic operations or more complex equations, math wheels are a creative resource for teaching problem-solving skills.

Using Collaboration to Improve Math Problem Solving

If there is one thing our middle school students love it is collaboration. Any time we can add opportunities for our students to work together we have increased engagement. In this post, I explore the benefits of using collaborative problem-solving in middle school math. It emphasizes how working together allows our students to tackle challenging problems by sharing different strategies and perspectives.

Collaborative problem solving boosts critical thinking and fosters communication and teamwork skills. The post highlights how this approach encourages our students to explain their reasoning, ask questions, and build on each other’s ideas. This makes math more engaging and interactive. The post offers great strategies to use while teaching problem solving to your students!

How to Teach Problem of the Week in Middle School Math

We all know the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what if we applied this concept to helping our students improve their problem solving skills? In this post, I highlight the effectiveness of using a Problem of the Week to build strong problem-solving skills in middle school math.

In this post, I dive into how implementing a Problem of the Week can boost problem-solving skills in middle school math. This approach gives our students the chance to focus on one challenging problem each week. It allows them to explore various strategies and think critically about their solutions. I outline how this method promotes deeper understanding, persistence, and encourages student discussions around their problem-solving processes. If you aim to introduce a consistent and engaging routine for teaching problem solving in your classroom, this post is a great place to start.

Metric Conversions Free Problem Solving and Matching Activity

Similar to the post above on teaching problem solving with decimals, this post shares the specific problem solving strategies I used when my students were learning about metric conversions. In this post, I explore an engaging approach to teaching metric conversions through a matching activity that helps solidify problem-solving skills.

In this post, I share an activity that challenges students to pair conversion problems with their correct answers. It encourages them to think critically and work through the process step by step. This method makes learning metric conversions more interactive. It also helps students build confidence in their problem-solving abilities. The post also includes a free problem-solving activity that offers extra practice for our students. This ensures they get hands-on experience with these essential math concepts.

Teaching Problem Solving Made Easier

Teaching problem solving is about giving our students the tools they need to tackle any math problem that comes their way. Whether it’s through collaborative activities, hands-on resources, or weekly challenges, there are many ways to make problem solving effective. By exposing our students to a variety of strategies, we empower them to find what works best for their unique learning styles. I hope these ideas help you to incorporate more creative problem solving techniques into your classroom!

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The post Teaching Problem Solving in the Middle School Classroom appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

When I first started my teaching career, I felt a loss at what to do with the first weeks of school. I had ideas and advice from other teachers, but you really don’t know what to expect those first few weeks until you experience them. And honestly, no matter how far you get into your career, the first few weeks can be a whirlwind! With the right activities and routines, you can set the stage for a successful school year. It’s all about creating a welcoming environment, building strong relationships, and establishing clear expectations from the get-go. If you are a new middle school teacher then keep reading because this post is for you.

Today, we are exploring some activities and routines to help you hit the ground running and make those first weeks manageable and enjoyable for you and your students. Think of today’s post as a new middle school teacher’s guide to starting the new year!

Planning the First Weeks of School as a New Middle School Teacher is Essential

Let’s get real for a moment. The first weeks of school are crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the year. Imagine stepping into a classroom where everything is chaotic and uncertain. As a teacher or student, this is not a fun way to start the year. That’s why having a solid plan for those initial weeks is so important!

Planning helps you feel more confident and less stressed. The more prepared you are, the more you can focus on connecting with your students and building those relationships. When your students see that you have a plan, it gives them a sense of security and structure. They know what to expect, and that consistency helps them feel safe and ready to learn.

Planning also allows you to establish your classroom routines and expectations from day one. You’re not just teaching content. Teaching would be way easier if that was our only job. You’re teaching your students how to be successful in your classroom. Whether it’s how to prepare for class, what to do when they enter the room, or how to handle group work, these routines are the backbone of a well-managed classroom.

We can’t forget about the importance of setting academic goals. The first weeks are a great time to introduce students to your teaching style and the types of activities they’ll be doing. It’s your chance to spark their curiosity and get them excited about what they’ll be learning.

So, take the time to plan out those first few weeks. It’s an investment that will pay off all year long. You’ll thank yourself later, and your students will thrive in a structured, positive environment.

What to Know as a New Middle School Teacher

So, now that we’ve chatted about the importance of relationships and setting the right tone, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what you need to know as a new middle school teacher. Having a solid foundation will make those first few weeks smoother. I’ve put together some detailed blog posts that cover engaging activities and routines you can introduce to your class. Make sure to explore each of these invaluable resources that will set you up for success!

1. Teaching Routines

Classroom Routines During the First Week of School

Time to talk routines! In my post, Teaching Classroom Routines the First Week of School, I have a goldmine for anyone stepping into a middle school classroom for the first time or the tenth time. I break down exactly how to introduce and reinforce those essential routines that will keep your classroom running smoothly all year long. Routines are your friends, and well-practiced routines are your best friends. They create a sense of order and predictability that our students crave, especially in the often chaotic middle school environment.

I offer practical tips and suggestions on how to teach routines from the moment your students walk through the door. It covers everything from morning procedures to transitions between activities, ensuring you’ve got all your bases covered. When I first started out, I didn’t t emphasize the simple routines. I quickly learned that I need to model and practice even the smallest routine. Routines like entering the classroom and beginning a warm-up activity right away.

By following the advice in this post, you’ll be setting yourself and your students up for success. Clear routines minimize disruptions and maximize learning time, which is exactly what we want. Plus, when our students know what’s expected of them, they feel more confident and capable.

Middle School Classroom Routines to Start Class

You know how we get one first impression? Starting each class is like that because we have a brief chance to set the tone for the class as soon as our students walk in. I wrote Middle School Classroom Routines to Begin Class to share highlights of several key routines that you can implement from day one. One of my favorites is having a bellringer task for them to work on as they enter class and sign in. It helps them transition from the hallway hustle to a focused learning environment. These bellringers can be a variety of activities, like quick writes, problem-solving tasks, or spiral reviews.

In this post, I continue to stress the importance of consistency. By practicing these routines regularly, your students will know exactly what to do and when to do it. This reduces downtime and keeps the class moving smoothly. I also share some useful tips on how to reinforce these routines, such as using visual reminders and positive reinforcement.

What I love about this post is that it’s not just about the routines themselves. It’s also about how to teach and reinforce them effectively. Modeling the routines and providing students with opportunities to practice them is the key to these routines sticking. They become second nature.

Middle School Classroom Routines to End Class

Wrapping up a class effectively is just as important as starting it right. The Middle School Classroom Routines to End Class is a treasure trove of tips for ending your class on a high note. It covers a variety of routines that can help you ensure your students leave the classroom with a clear understanding of what they’ve learned and what they need to do next.

One key routine I highlight in the post is the exit ticket. This is a quick, formative assessment that your students complete before they leave. It’s a fantastic way to gauge their understanding of the lesson and gather feedback on what might need more clarification. Plus, it gives your students a sense of closure and accomplishment.

Another great routine I mention to keep in mind is preparation for the next class. I always leave a few minutes at the end of class to encourage my students to organize their materials. We go over and jot down homework assignments. Then, ensure they have everything they need for their next class. This helps them stay organized but also reduces the chaotic rush that often happens at the end of the period.

The end of your class period does not need to look like a scene out of a movie where there are papers in the air flying around, chairs toppling over, and a stampede to the door. As a new middle school teacher, you are able to bring a smooth, orderly end to each of your classes. Using these routines helps manage time effectively and ensure that your students leave the room feeling prepared and informed.

2. Get to Know You Activities

First Day of Math Class Activity

Now, let’s focus on the other part of setting the tone, which is getting to know our students! First Day of Math Class Activity: Pentomino Exploration introduces a fantastic activity called Pentomino Exploration that’s perfect for getting your students excited about math right from the start. Pentominoes are geometric shapes made up of five squares, and they’re great for hands-on learning.

Each group of students gets a set of pentominoes and is tasked with the simple idea of fitting all the pentominoes onto the given grid with no gaps or overlaps. This activity encourages critical thinking, spatial awareness, communication, and problem-solving skills. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! I go into detailed instructions in the post to help you guide your students through the exploration.

What I love about this activity is that it’s both educational and engaging. It’s a great way to break the ice and get your students interacting with each other while diving into some math concepts. By starting the year with a hands-on activity like this, you’re setting a positive tone and showing your students that math can be exciting and enjoyable.

Engaging Icebreakers to Help Middle Schoolers Make Friends

I always want to break the ice as soon as possible with my middle school students to make them comfortable with each other and with me. I use the icebreakers in Engaging Icebreakers for Middle School because they are a great way to break down some of the walls our middle schoolers often put up and get them excited about their learning. They help them feel more at ease, make new friends, and set the stage for a positive and engaging classroom environment.

This post is packed with fun and engaging icebreakers that are perfect for the first days of school. One activity I tend to always start with because it is more familiar is “Two Truths and a Lie”. It’s a simple yet effective game that helps our students learn about each other in a fun and relaxed setting.

To play, each student takes a turn sharing three statements about themselves, which are two truths and one lie. The rest of the class then guesses which statement is the lie. This activity helps students get to know each other but also encourages them to think critically and pay attention to details.

Starting your school year with engaging icebreakers sets a positive tone and helps students feel more comfortable and connected. If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off your school year and build strong relationships from the get-go, give this blog post a read and try out some of these icebreakers.

7 Middle School Icebreakers for the Start of the Year

The first week of the school year is always a mix of excitement and a bit of sadness that summer is over. In 7 Middle School Icebreakers for the Start of the Year, I share even more icebreakers that are effective in creating a sense of community. Each year, I see how these icebreakers help to ease the transition into a new school or new grade level. A bonus is that when our students feel comfortable, they’re more likely to participate and engage in lessons.

One icebreaker from the post is the M&M Game and Toilet Paper Game. The M&M Game is a sweet way to break the ice! Each student receives a few M&Ms, with each color representing a different question they need to answer about themselves. They take turns sharing their answers based on the colors they have. This is a fun way to learn interesting and unique things about each other. I know that in some schools, candy is not a preferred option, so I play this game with toilet paper. It’s the same concept, but let them take as many squares of the toilet as they want, without telling them what it’s for. Once everyone has their squares, I reveal that each square represents a fact they need to share about themselves.

What I love about this post is that it emphasizes how icebreakers help us, as teachers, get to know our students better. Understanding who our students are and what makes them, them early on can make a huge difference in how we approach teaching each of them. Plus, it shows our students that building relationships is a key component of our time together.

Get to Know You Activities for Middle School Math

As a new middle school teacher, it’s important to keep in mind that through these activities, you want to better understand your students. This helps a lot to create a positive and effective learning environment. Getting to Know Your Middle School Math Students is all about building strong connections with your students, which is especially important in middle school when kids are going through so many changes. Knowing your students’ interests, strengths, and areas for improvement can make a huge difference in how you approach teaching and engaging them.

One activity from the post is the Math About Me activity. This is a way for your students to share information about themselves through a math lens. Each of your students fills out the survey questions ranging from questions using a 1-10 scale to short answer questions. Based on their answers, you’re able to see their views of math, preferences for working in groups, and how they perceive themselves as a mathematician.

What I love about this activity is that it shows our students we care about them as individuals, not just as learners. It helps build trust and rapport, which are essential for a successful classroom environment. Plus, it gives you a head start in planning activities that will keep them motivated and excited about learning.

Use This New Middle School Teacher Guide for a Successful Start to Your Year

As you gear up for your first weeks as a new middle school teacher, remember that being prepared has an impact. By planning out your routines, getting to know your students, and incorporating fun icebreakers, you’ll set the stage for a successful and enjoyable school year. The resources and tips shared in the blog posts I’ve shared today are designed to help you create a welcoming and engaging classroom environment. So, explore these strategies, and feel confident in your ability to connect with your students and make learning fun. Here’s to a fantastic start to your teaching journey. You’ve got this!

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Remember to save this to your favorite teacher Pinterest board. That way you’ll have access to this new middle school teacher guide for when you start planning!

The post New Middle School Teacher Guide to the First Days of School appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

I love to call the beginning of fall the sweet spot of that first quarter of school. At that point, you and your students have successfully navigated through setting up expectations and practicing them until they’re second nature. You’ve found your teaching rhythm with your new group of kiddos and are diving into the material. Some students transition into this mode more easily than others. In those weeks after the “back to school” crazy dies down, I’m ready to jump into some fall activities for middle school students. Today, I’m sharing a few of my go-to activities that keep my students engaged and enthusiastic!

Are Middle Schoolers too Old for Seasonal Activities?

Before we dive into the fall activities, let’s chat about themed seasonal activities. Some people might think middle schoolers are too old for them, but I completely disagree! In my experience, seasonal activities are just as effective with older kids as they are with the little ones. They add a layer of fun and excitement that really helps to capture our students’ interest and create a sense of buy-in.

When I incorporate a theme, it gives the lesson a sense of freshness. It makes the content feel new and engaging, which is especially important for our students who might be a bit harder to motivate. Plus, seasonal activities help build a sense of community in the classroom. When everyone is participating in the same fun, it fosters a feeling of togetherness and shared experience.

Our middle schoolers may act cool, but deep down, they still love a bit of whimsy and creativity. Themed seasonal activities tap into that, making learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. So, I don’t shy away from bringing in those fall activities for middle school students or any other themed activity. They’re a fantastic way to keep students engaged and excited about learning!

Fun and Effective Fall Activities for Middle School Students

Let’s explore some of my favorite fall activities for middle school students. These are the ones I have used to keep my middle schoolers engaged, but they go beyond just engagement. They are also the activities that are effective in helping students learn, practice, and master the target skill. These activities have been tried and tested in my classroom and they never fail to bring a little extra excitement to our lessons.

Fall Math Footloose Task Cards – A Great Mixed Review

One of my favorite fall activities for keeping my students engaged and active is the mixed review students get using these Fall Math Footloose Task Cards. They are a game-changer when it comes to making math review sessions dynamic and fun. They get my students up and moving while tackling a variety of math concepts. I love the mixed review, because it helps to keep concepts fresh in their minds and I can see who might be struggling with previously taught concepts.

I spread the 30 fall-themed math task cards around the room, each featuring a different problem to solve. These tasks cover a range of topics from solving word problems to multiplying two-digit numbers to dividing with single-digit divisors, and more.

The students move from card to card, solving each of the problems. Their answer sheet has space for them to work out the problem and show their answer. This setup turns a standard review session into an interactive activity. The kids move around the room, collaborating and sharing strategies, which not only helps with their understanding but also keeps their energy levels high. It’s amazing to see how much more engaged they are when they can incorporate movement into their learning.

I have used these task cards for partner work and independent practice. It depends on what works best for your classroom dynamic on any given day. Whether the students are working together or tackling problems on their own, these cards bring a fresh twist to mixed math reviews, making them much more enjoyable and effective. Plus, the fall theme adds a festive touch that the students really appreciate.

Color By Number: Fall Activities for Middle School Students

If you find yourself saying “color by number” followed by a big question mark, please don’t tune out just yet. My middle school students love color by number activities and they have for years. Still not sure? Check out my blog post called Can Big Kids Love Color by Number? That post dives into all the reasons that I have been able to use color by number activities successfully with students for years. And. . . don’t worry about those being watered-down activities. High quality, rigorous math can come in a color by number format. Let’s take a look at some.

Least Common Multiple Color By Number

Another fantastic fall activity I love to use is math color by number activities. This particular one is finding the least common multiple (LCM). These are a blast and definitely beat regular math worksheets! Coloring isn’t just for fun. It brings a sense of mindfulness to my math classes, which can be especially beneficial for our middle school kiddos. Plus, coloring in math has been shown to help our reluctant students feel more comfortable with the subject. It’s a win-win!

For this specific color by number activity, students solve 15 – 20 problems related to finding the LCM of two or three numbers. They also tackle word problems that require them to find the LCM. Once they solve a problem, they find the answer on the coloring sheet and then color in the corresponding section. This activity is available in both print and digital versions because I have kiddos who prefer the paper format while others do better online. This makes these fall activities super flexible to fit different classroom setups.

I love the differentiation these activities offer with three different print versions. This way, I can easily adjust the difficulty level to meet the needs of all my students. These activities turn what could be a monotonous worksheet into an engaging and calming experience. My students enjoy the break from the usual routine, and it’s wonderful to see them more relaxed and focused.

Fraction Operations Color By Number

This fractions color by number activity is one I use to practice fraction operations. The color by number format is way more engaging than a regular fractions worksheet! I’ve also found that when a concept is difficult for students, the opportunity to color between problems provides a nice small brain break that allows them to work at full capacity through the entire assignment.

In this color by number activity, students solve each of the fraction problems. Once they have their answer, they use the code to color the corresponding spaces on the coloring page. This way, it’s a self-checking activity, which means less grading for us and instant feedback for our students.

In this activity, our students solve 15 fraction operations problems that require them to add, subtract, multiply, or divide fractions. Students love seeing the picture come to life as they work through the problems, which keeps them engaged and motivated. The visual and hands-on nature of coloring helps reinforce their understanding and makes the practice feel less like work and more like a creative project.

I’ve found that this activity is perfect for a variety of settings. We could do a quiet individual practice session or a more collaborative group activity. It brings a sense of calm and focus to the classroom, which is always a plus.

Fall Early Finisher Activity

If there is one teacher problem that is common in every classroom it is trying to find a way to answer the inevitable question: “I’m done! Now what?” I’m pretty sure that every teacher has heard them at one time or another. Having a plan for students who finish their work is an important part of any classroom management system.

Early finisher activities help to keep students engaged and working so that the rest of the class has time to complete the assignment. There are many things that you can add as an early finisher activity. In my classroom, I have a designated place for these activities. They conveniently sit right by the place where students turn in their work. Students know that when they turn in their assignment, they choose one of the early finisher activities and return to their seat to get started. Sometimes these take multiple class periods for a student to finish, and that’s fine. The goal is to give them something productive to do while the rest of the class is working.

Not all of the activities in my early finisher area are math based. These big kid coloring pages are always a hit. I change them out throughout the year and always like to include a seasonal option or two. They are a great way for students to get a little creativity in while also reaping the amazing benefits of coloring.

And. . . if you have these in your teacher toolbox, you might want to pull some out on testing days too. Whether a chapter test or a long day of standardized testing, these pages are a great way for students to relax while remaining quiet while other students finish up.

Need More Fall Activities for Middle School Students?

For more fun fall activities, check out my blog post Engaging Fall Activities for Middle School.

And. . . remember to save this post to your favorite teacher Pinterest board for when you need fall activities to engage your middle schoolers!

The post Enhance Learning With Fall Activities for Middle School Students appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

The first week of the school year at the middle school level is always fascinating to witness. I’m busy trying to learn all of my students’ names while they’re figuring out where they fit in amongst their peers. There’s a mix of excitement to start off the new year and a bit of sadness that summer is over. I’ve noticed that some students are easier to connect with than others, but I always manage to break through their “too cool for school” exterior with the help of some fun icebreakers! Sure, you might get some initial eye-rolls, but soon enough, they’ll be engaged and let their coolness guard down. Today, I’m sharing a few of the middle school icebreakers that have been successful for me!

Why Spend Time On Middle School Icebreakers?

Middle school can be quite a tough transition for many kids. They’re dealing with new classmates, more challenging work, and the ups and downs of a new chapter in life. I have found that making relationship building and connecting a key part of the first weeks of the school year is a very helpful way to ease that transition. Icebreakers help create a sense of community and make the classroom a welcoming environment. When our students feel comfortable, they’re more likely to participate and engage in lessons.

Icebreakers also help me, as a teacher, get to know my students better. Understanding their interests, strengths, and personalities early on can make a huge difference in how I approach teaching each of them. Plus, it’s a great way to establish a positive classroom culture where everyone feels valued and included. It can be a place where we can have a few laughs together, do our work, and see each other as humans.

Spending time on icebreakers at the beginning of the year sets the tone for the rest of the school year. It shows our students that, while learning is important, having fun and building relationships are also key components of our time together. Trust me, those few minutes spent on icebreakers are worth it when you see how they positively impact classroom dynamics and student interactions.

7 Middle School Icebreakers That Are Fun and Effective

Now that we understand why icebreakers are so important, let’s explore some of my favorite middle school icebreakers, which have proven to be both fun and effective. These activities help my students get to know each other while also setting the stage for a positive and engaging classroom environment.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

This is a classic icebreaker that always gets the class buzzing. Each student thinks of two true facts and one false fact about themselves. When it’s their turn, they share all three statements with the class. For example, they might say, “I have a pet snake, I’ve been to France, and I can play the guitar.” The rest of the class then tries to guess which statement is the lie.

On the first day of school, I like to have students write the three statements down on an index card. It’s our first day of school exit ticket. They turn them in as they leave and I hold on to the cards for a day or two. Then I pull them out a day or two later to play this ice breaker game.

I like to announce the student’s name and then read each of the statements to the class. While this is not completely necessary, I have found that it allows all the statements to be read consistently. I have seen many a student give away their lie with a smirk on their face or a giggle when they said it. But you can also have students read their own card. However you choose to play, your students will love trying to stump one another with their false statement.

This game is always a hit because it reveals surprising and interesting facts about each student, sparking lots of laughter and conversation. Plus, it’s a great way for me to learn unique details about my students right from the start! Oftentimes, these facts help me to remember their names, too!

2. Human Bingo

Human Bingo is an absolute favorite of mine out of the middle school icebreakers for getting my students to mingle and learn fun facts about each other. Before class, I create bingo cards with different statements in each square, like “Has a pet dog,” “Has traveled to another country,” or “Loves to read mystery books.”

During the activity, I have my students walk around the room and talk to their classmates to find someone who matches each statement. When they find a match, they write that person’s name in the corresponding square. The goal is to get a bingo by filling a row, column, or diagonal with names. The first student to achieve bingo wins a small prize, like a sticker or a piece of candy. This game is a fun way to get everyone moving, talking, and learning quirky details about each other. Plus, it’s always exciting to see the competitive spirit come out in such a fun and friendly way!

3. Would You Rather?

Would You Rather? is a fantastic middle school icebreaker to spark conversations and laughs. I pose fun and sometimes silly “Would you rather?” questions to the class, like “Would you rather give up social media for a month or give up gaming for a month?” or “Would you rather eat pizza for every meal or never eat pizza again?” I call on students throughout the game to share their choices and explain their reasoning.

Before we play, I like to grab a notebook and jot down some questions. I like a mix of realistic and silly questions. I also like to tap into things that are current trends or popular in pop culture. Having questions ready makes the game flow because I don’t have to think them up on the spot.

This game is not only simple but incredibly engaging. It helps them open up, express their opinions, and learn more about each other’s personalities and preferences. Plus, the answers often lead to hilarious and memorable discussions that help break the ice and build a sense of community in the classroom. I do suggest closing your classroom door for this one because they do tend to speak passionately and loudly!

4. M & M Game and Toilet Paper Game

The M&M Game is a sweet and colorful way to break the ice! I give each student a few M&Ms (or any colored candy). Each color represents a different question they need to answer about themselves. I like to use the following questions:

• Red: What’s your favorite movie?
• Green: What’s one thing you did this summer?
• Blue: What’s your dream job?
• Orange: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
• Yellow: What is your favorite place to visit (local or out of town)?
• Brown: What is one word that describes you?

Students take turns sharing their answers based on the colors they have. This game is not only fun but also a great way to learn interesting and unique things about each student.

If candy isn’t an option for your class, I have a fun alternative using toilet paper. I don’t tell the students what it’s for, initially. Instead, I hand them a roll of toilet paper and allow them to take as many squares as they would like. Just be warned that you might need to set a limit on the number of squares one person can take.

Once everyone has their squares, I reveal that each square represents a fact about themselves that they need to share with the class. For example, if a student has five squares, they share five facts. This version is equally engaging and often leads to lots of laughs as your students get creative with their facts.

5. The Line Up Game

The Line Up Game is a way to encourage non-verbal communication and teamwork among your students. I challenge them to line up in a specific order without talking. That’s what makes this really challenging! For example, they might have to arrange themselves by birthday, height, or alphabetical order by first name.

This activity requires students to use gestures, facial expressions, and creative thinking to figure out the correct order. It’s always fun to watch how they solve the puzzle together and to see their teamwork in action. Plus, it’s a great way to break the ice and get everyone interacting and collaborating right from the start. This game builds on communication skills and helps build a sense of unity and cooperation in the classroom.

6. Meet the Mathematician

In math class, it’s important for our students to see themselves as mathematicians capable of tackling the math we will encounter this year. One of my favorite middle school icebreakers to help them do this is my Meet the Mathematician doodle wheel. This activity is a fun way for our students to introduce themselves while connecting their personal experiences to mathematics.

Sections in the Doodle Wheel

• Who Are You? – Students write their full name and nicknames. They also share who they are such as a sister, brother, cousin, bookworm, etc. If space allows, they can also draw a small self-portrait.
• Hobbies – In this section, students write about their hobbies or doodle symbols or pictures to represent their interests. These often lead to classmates making connections and starting conversations.
• Favorite Math Topic – Students describe their favorite math topic. Whether it’s geometry, algebra, or another area, this helps me understand what they enjoy and can guide me in making the subject more engaging for them.
• Birth Place – They write and doodle the place where they were born.
• Math Skill to Improve – Students identify a math skill they want to improve this year. This honesty helps them acknowledge areas for growth and gives me valuable information to tailor my teaching strategies.
• Favorite Food In this section, students write their favorite food (or foods!)

In the pattern around the wheel, there are eight items for students to answer. All are number answers, so I ask students to write their answers as expressions that equal their number answer or just write the numbers themselves. For example, if their age is 16, they might write 4². If time allows, I give time for my students to walk around the room and try to solve different problems from their classmates’ wheels.

7. Using Emojis for Middle School Icebreakers

Emoji Introductions are a fun way to reference technology and get your students to share a bit about themselves. I ask each student to choose an emoji that represents them, describes them, or shows how they’re feeling that day. They can draw it on a sticky note or show it on their device if they’re allowed.

Each student then explains why they chose that particular emoji. This can lead to some really fun and insightful conversations. It’s a great way to tap into their creativity and get a sense of their current mood or personality. Plus, using emojis is something they’re all familiar with, making it an easy and relatable activity that helps everyone feel more comfortable and connected.

Build Rapport With Students With These Middle School Icebreakers

These seven middle school icebreakers are sure to help your students feel more comfortable, connected, and ready to dive into the school year.

From classic games like Two Truths and a Lie to creative activities like the Meet the Mathematician Wheel, these icebreakers will not only break the ice but also set a positive and engaging tone for your classroom.

If you’re looking for even more fun and effective icebreakers with a math twist, be sure to check out Getting to Know You Activities for Middle School Math for even more ideas to keep your students excited about math all year long!

Save for Later

Remember to save this post to your favorite math Pinterest board for when you start planning middle school icebreakers!

The post Middle School Icebreakers for the Start of the School Year appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

Some days, it feels like I’m on a perpetual sprint, racing from one thing to another. I have music playlists, and I sing to my heart’s content. On the other hand, sometimes I want more to fuel my brain as I drive around or go on walks. That’s when I stumbled upon the vibrant universe of teaching podcasts. From there, I started adding them like crazy. I learned so many tips and tricks I used in my classroom. As I immersed myself in these podcasts, the hosts started feeling like old pals, understanding the highs and lows of my classroom journey. One day, a lightbulb moment hit me. Why not pay it forward to the teaching community with my own teaching podcast?

I envisioned sharing my own insights, tips, and strategies. Then I thought, why go solo when I could team up with a teaching pal? That’s when Brittany from Colorado Classroom and I joined forces to create The Teaching Toolbox Podcast. Today, we’re sharing our podcast, its mission, and the valuable insights we have to empower you and your students!

What is a Teaching Podcast?

You may be new to the world of podcasting, especially teaching podcasts. So, what exactly is a teacher podcast? A teacher podcast is an audio series created to talk about anything related to education. Educators, new and experienced, or education enthusiasts host these podcasts to chat about best practices, innovative classroom strategies, the ups and downs of teaching, how to make more income, and other avenues in the education world.

At its core, a teacher podcast makes the listener feel like they are in the room with the hosts. The material being talked about is shared in a conversational format. This allows the hosts the opportunity to share personal experiences, lead interviews with fellow educators, and explore perspectives within the education world. This conversational style allows for valuable insights while creating a sense of community. Educators are then united in a collective journey of shared victories and challenges.

Teacher podcasts offer convenient and flexible educational enrichment. These podcasts can fit into the rhythms of educators’ lives, whether during commutes, workouts, or relaxation time. Plus, they serve as an ongoing source of professional development. This helps educators to stay on top of the latest while not being bogged down by fancy jargon.

Most importantly, beyond their informational role, teacher podcasts grow a supportive and collaborative educational community. Through shared stories, challenges, and victories, hosts and listeners come together to connect, learn, and draw inspiration. Finding space in this environment contributes to the collective growth of the education community.

Meet The Hosts of Our Teaching Podcast

Brittany – The Colorado Classroom

My good friend Brittany brings 17 years of teaching experience to the table. Her time has also been split between the charm of elementary school and the hustle of middle school. Although she’s worn many subject hats, history and math hold a special place in her pedagogical heart.

Brittany says, “Since 2013, I’ve been crafting teacher curricula, finding immense joy in supporting educators’ growth. Come visit me at The Colorado Classroom! I have a collection of resources geared toward upper elementary and middle school social studies. I love any opportunity to bring the past back to life with my young historians! Beyond the classroom, I’m a devoted wife to my high school sweetheart and a proud mom of two.”

“In my educational journey, which began in ’98, I’ve developed a fondness for hands-on teaching, celebrating students in all ways, and problem-solving. I’m looking forward to you joining us as we navigate the realm of growth, inspiration, and an enhanced teaching experience.”

Ellie – Cognitive Cardio Math

I’m Ellie, a dedicated wife, proud mom, delighted grandma, and devoted “mom” to two fur babies. My life has revolved around the school bell, accumulating almost three decades of educational experience. During this time, I’ve worn various hats. I’ve taught all subjects in 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades and dove into Math, ELA, and Science in 6th-grade middle school.

Since 2012, I’ve been crafting valuable resources for teachers and I also immersed myself in the eLearning industry. I’d love for you to come visit me at Cognitive Cardio Math. I have a whole library of resources to help make math more approachable for your learners. As an active educator over the last 30 years, my journey has been anchored in teaching math (among other subjects) across 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Math isn’t just a subject for me, but a true passion.

I embody the mindset of being a life-long learner, always seeking solutions and embracing the role of a teacher-coach. I look forward to you joining us on our podcast as we explore ways for continuous growth as educators!

Our Podcast’s Mission for You, the Listeners

We have created The Teaching Toolbox Podcast as a go-to sanctuary for any educators in search of strategies and inspiration. Our hopes were to create a space where teachers could immerse themselves in relatable, relevant, and approachable information. From the knowledge we’ve gathered through our time as educators to bringing on knowledgeable teacher guests to share invaluable tips and strategies, we are guaranteeing to elevate your classroom journey.

From the art of lesson planning to the intricacies of classroom management, this podcast is your compass for navigating the challenges of teaching. We’ve been where you’ve are. Together, we offer you a cumulative teaching experience of over 50 years. Each teaching podcast episode brings a blend of knowledge, expertise, and real-life insights, with some current research added here and there. With each episode, you’ll be able to walk back into your classroom ready to apply the strategy, advice, or new mindset!

Topics of Teaching Podcast Episodes

We completely understand how valuable your time is as an educator! When we choose to give an activity our attention, we are making it a priority. With that in mind, we set out to create episodes that give you valuable information relevant to today’s classroom. Let’s be honest: how many times have we sat in a PD wondering when the last time the presenter set foot in a classroom? Many more times than we’d like, I’m sure. Brittany and I cover recent topics that give you actionable tips, strategies, and ideas to immediately take back to your classroom.

The amazing news is that we already have a slew of episodes for you to explore and start being inspired by! We have chatted about “Establishing a Positive Classroom Culture” and “Scaffolding Learning in the Classroom.” We’ve delved into practical strategies with episodes like “3 Games for the Classroom You Can Take and Play Today” and explore the ins and outs of “Behavior and Discipline in the Classroom.” From navigating the challenges of substitutes to insights on “Celebrating Holidays in the Classroom,” each episode unfolds with actionable advice.

Brittany and I share valuable tips on grading efficiency in “How to Grade Efficiently with 10 Tips and Tricks” and master the art of “Navigating Parent-Teacher Conferences in Middle School.” The podcast further dives into study skills, effective transitions, utilizing color, and implementing a classroom economy. We even address issues like burnout and depression while teaching. With featured experts, including Danna Rodebush on “Math Fact Fluency” and survival strategies for “Evaluation Season,” The Teaching Toolbox Podcast equips you with various tools to thrive in every aspect of your teaching journey.

Where to Find The Teacher Toolbox Podcast

We hope you take some time to join us anywhere you can listen to podcasts. Some of the major platforms to listen to The Teacher Toolbox Podcast are Apple Podcasts and Spotify. By exploring our pod link, you’ll see all the podcast platforms and a directory of all of our episodes.

You can also visit our podcast’s website, The Teaching Toolbox Podcast. Here, you can read about us and learn more about each episode. The show notes give you a summary of the episode, any resources we used or recommended, and how to connect with us online.

Brittany and I want this experience to be more than just us talking to each other and you all on the outside listening in. We want to ensure we cover topics and invite guests you’re eager to learn about and from. If you would like to share something on a future episode, from questions to insights to ideas, please feel free to visit our Contribute page. To invite a guest for a future episode, visit our Recommend A Guest page on our website. You’ll fill out a questionnaire that gives us some background information about the recommended guest speaker and how to reach out to them. If you ever want to contact us, head to the Contact page on our website. You’ll be able to email us with your message!

Join our Teaching Podcast Family

Our teaching podcast is a living space where we, as educators, come together, learn, and find inspiration. Our listeners and ourselves feel seen and heard. Each episode, spanning a wide range of topics, imparts valuable information while, at the same time, fostering a sense of community. It truly feels like we share victories and work through challenges to weave connections. On top of all that, we are living out our promises of being lifelong learners and continuously growing for the benefit of our kiddos.

As you join us, I hope you feel empowered and refreshed to take what you learn to your classrooms. Brittany and I are excited to move along this journey with you! We hope you find this space beneficial to your career and classroom life. Never hesitate to contact us, contribute to our podcast, or send suggestions. We are committed to creating a collaborative community space! Thank you for being part of our podcast family!

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The post Teaching Podcast To Inspire and Empower Educators appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

If you’ve been teaching or around middle schoolers very long then it will not surprise you to hear that their brains are still developing. I’m not talking about being an on-going learner, I’m talking about the actual function of their brains is still in development. Because our middle schoolers are now “big kids” and independent, it is easy to forget that they are not done growing and developing. One area that our students are still developing is problem solving skills.

Critical thinking, analytical thinking, and deductive thinking will continue to develop over the next decade. But we don’t have to wait for our tweens to become early 20-somethings before tackling problem solving skills. We can help them begin to tap into this new level of thinking now. Whether it is problem solving in math class or helping them figure their way through middle school social drama, teaching and practicing problem solving skills is important.

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you five strategies I use with my middle schoolers to develop problem solving skills they can use in and out of the classroom.

Why Are Problem Solving Skills Important?

Life is filled with challenges, unexpected problems, and sticky situations we have to be able to think through. From a mult-step, multi-concept story problem in math class to navigating social situations, problem solving skills are key. That’s why I want to take a minute to chat about why problem solving skills can be one of the strongest tools our middle schoolers can have in their toolbox as they navigate the chaos of middle school!

If you think about it, middle school is their training ground for the real situations that take place where they might feel stuck or not motivated to keep going. It’s where they learn to juggle homework, navigate the social circus, and face unexpected challenges. In this crazy adventure called life, problem-solving skills can swoop in to save the day.

But here’s the plot twist: this isn’t just about making it through middle school, it’s about gearing up for success beyond the classroom. We know that the “real world” is full of job hunts, budgeting, time management, and adulting. What’s going to help them succeed? You’ve got it right- the ability to tackle problems like seasoned pros. Whether it’s negotiating a job offer, smoothing out conflicts, or fixing a leaky sink, those middle school honed problem solving skills guide them through the twists and turns of adulthood.

5 Problem Solving Skills for Middle Schoolers

One of the best ways for our middle schoolers to learn how to problem solve is through relevant activities or strategies. Not only relevant but also relatable. It’s that engagement and buy-in that makes them go, “Yeah, this makes total sense!” Incorporating relatable situations with you, the teacher, there to guide them through it creates a safety net for them. They get to witness the thinking process, see the actions in play, and hear the behind-the-scenes reasoning on how to tackle challenges.

1. Practice Critical Thinking Skills

Middle schoolers are like little detectives in the making, always asking all the questions before you can even get the whole scenario out! Use that to your advantage! Ask open-ended questions that get them thinking. Not every question or situation they encounter will be answered with a yes, no, or straightforward answer. They’ll need to think about the situation from different perspectives and consider various factors. Give them time to think and then {this is the hardest for most of us} wait and let them explain their thinking. Don’t just get an answer and move on. Even if there is uncomfortable silence – just wait. Give them the time to think so that you can take a deep dive into the thinking process.

We dive into scenarios, whether they are social or math-based, that require more than just a glance. For example, we will dissect word problems together or a math problem they may not have seen just yet to introduce the concept. We’ll explore various possibilities on how we could start off solving the math problem.

If a social concern about friend drama pops up, I will put a scenario together for us to work through by discussing the perspectives of who is included in the made-up scenario version. Why did they make the choices they did? What could they have done differently? Because they did one thing, what did that cause? It’s not about being in the know 100%, but more about becoming a thoughtful problem-solver.

As they navigate through these challenges, they’re not just finding solutions. They’re developing a knack for analyzing information, considering different angles, and crafting well-thought-out responses.

2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Middle school is undoubtedly a social whirlwind. It’s a mix of laughter, friendship dramas, and a dash of chaotic energy. So, why not use that energy for some problem-solving skill-building? Group projects can be a great way for students to learn to work together, listen to others, and share their thoughts. They have to assimilate information, process it with understanding, and figure out how to apply the group knowledge to find a consensus.

Group projects allow you to weave in problem solving with academics with the opportunity to develop social problem solving skills too. It’s about weaving a web of skills that extend beyond the assignment. While tackling an academic problem, students will learn to listen to others and analyze what is being said. Through these group endeavors, they learn to appreciate different perspectives. They can start to understand each team member’s strengths and, most importantly, navigate the beautiful chaos of teamwork. There’s going to be disagreements and standstill, so they’ll begin to figure out how to talk through those moments.

But the magic happens when it all comes together. A group solution to an academic problem is usually arrived at after putting those social problem solving skills to the test.

3. Real-Life Problems, Real-Life Solutions

Let’s shift our gears to the world of math. One way to bring math to life is by looking at the focused math skills in real-life math challenges or scenarios. Textbooks have their charm and can be helpful with some practice problems. There’s an unmatched thrill in solving problems that sync with what is happening or what could happen in the real world. Having my students look at real-life scenarios when studying math helps them to see that math is relevant and impactful.

When the time is available, I love challenging my students with a scenario that requires their math skills to solve. Whether it’s crafting solutions for a community-based math puzzle or planning a party while staying on budget, these challenges are the heart of the adventure of mathematical problem-solving. But why stop there? Dive deeper into your scenario for even more problem-solving fun.

You can go as deep as you see fit with your students. They can brainstorm an initial solution or go further. They can then think about the resources they will need, how much those will cost, and where to get them. What about time constraints? They’ll then have to think about a timeline for them to put their hypothetical plan into action to get to their end goal. Suddenly, problem-solving isn’t a mundane task. It fills your classroom with excitement, engaged conversations, and a sense of purpose!

Resources to Help You Get Started

This practice comes in handy as students work through word problems during classwork as well! Help remind them of the strategies you worked through with a visual aid such as these problem-solving bookmarks.

And. . . if you are not sure where to start, I have some free Problem of the Week resources are the perfect starting place. All of the Problem of the Week resources are in the Free Math Resource Center. You can get access by signing up here.

4. ABC’s of Problem Solving Skills – Analyze, Brainstorm, Choose

ABC is a popular acronym that has many variations to it. You can easily make it your own, but what works in my classroom is to analyze, brainstorm, and choose. I’ll walk you through how I explain each letter in my room and how it helps my students’ problem-solving skills.

A – Analyze

The first letter of our problem-solving alphabet is A for Analyze. It’s one thing to just glance at the problem. It’s a whole other thing to dissect it and understand the ins and outs. What happened? Why did it happen? What is being asked? What do I need to figure out? All of these are questions that help students analyze a problem. This is a great first step whether you are solving a math problem or a social problem.

After presenting the problem I like to have my students share some of the questions they are asking themselves during the analyze phase. Depending on the question it might sound like this: Did a peer take your snack, because they don’t have much food at home or because they were being mean? Did your friend snap at you because they didn’t get enough sleep or because they were mad at you? Do I need all of the numbers provided in the problem or was there unnecessary extra information?

It’s so important for middle schoolers to learn to ask these analysis questions. It helps them take a more objective view of the problem. In social settings, it helps them to widen their awareness of themselves to those around them.

B – Brainstorm

Next, B for brainstorming! We brainstorm possible methods of solving the problem, reasons for why words are said or actions are taken, and possible solutions. Then, we look at possible ways actions and words from all involved could impact others. This is the time that we focus on possible solutions.

In math, that will include identifying the math skills needed to solve the problem, recalling formulas, and applying strategies. In real life, this might include how can we fix or make this situation better now and in the future.

C – Choose

The C for Choose. It’s decision time. We evaluate our all of brainstormed ideas and possible solutions. Then it is time to put them into action. During this step, students may choose different things and that is okay. But don’t miss the learning opportunity that comes with that. As students are developing problem solving skills it is important to give them time to share their thinking. Here students can learn from each other as they hear about things they didn’t think about or see situations or problems from a different perspective. This process is a fun and in-depth way to practice problem solving skills with students!

5. Power of Perseverance in Middle School

I purposely saved this one for last because, without this skill or trait, it will be tricky for your middle schoolers to do the previous four. Problem solving is hard. It can get messy before it starts smoothing out into a solution. Your students will become defensive, moan, groan, or just go off and do their own thing. In those moments, I take a step back, take a deep breath, and work with them to learn perseverance. It’s a complete mindset shift, but once it happens it changes how our students approach any situation.

I make sure my students understand that setbacks aren’t roadblocks but rather detours on the path to success or achievement. I emphasize the importance of grit and resilience. We talk about how mistakes are still good to make because it shows that they are trying. The key to those mistakes or roadblocks is to not stop but to keep trying by trying to do something different.

To drive this point home, I weave in tales of legends who faced adversity head-on and emerged victorious. Whether it’s Thomas Edison’s journey to invent the lightbulb or J.K. Rowling’s story of persistence in getting Harry Potter published, these narratives become the fuel for their perseverance engine. I share some of my own stories with them about times I have had to persevere. I then turn the table and have them reflect on times they struggled but persevered until they had succeeded. Most of the time, they surprise themselves!

Give Your Middle Schoolers Problem Solving Skills to Succeed

And there you have the ultimate toolbox of my top five problem-solving skills tailored for your middle schoolers. This toolbox of skills will never go out of style. These skills are the building blocks for shaping the future for our middle schoolers.

As they master the art of critical thinking, through academic and social challenges, they’re becoming equipped with the skills to construct creative solutions and tackle whatever hurdles the future may throw their way. These aren’t just skills for the present. They’re the transformative forces that pave the way for a future filled with confident, creative problem-solvers ready to leave their mark on the world. The adventure begins in your classroom!

Interested in problem solving skills through a math lens? Read Help Middle School Math Students Improve Problem Solving Skills to learn more!

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The post 5 Ways to Practice Problem Solving Skills in Middle School appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.