Blue Mountain Math

Making Math Fun with Engaging Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free
  • Videos
  • Links

8 Ideas to Help  Struggling Math Students  

Students struggle with math and especially Algebra.  Especially since schools closed and students participated in distance learning. This school year has proven to even be more difficult for Algebra and Geometry students and their transition back to the classroom.

title slide

Even in the best of times, students have had difficulty and here are some ideas that support those struggling learners.

1. Share Learning Goals

Not sharing a learning goal is like getting in the car to take a trip with no destination. Each day, students should be told what they need to learn, the purpose of the activities and how this relates to the goal of the unit.

They should also be given a measure of some type so they can see how well they have achieved the goal. It could be a quick formative assessment in google forms or paper. One colleague puts the most difficult problem for that content on the board and when students can solve that problem, they know they have achieved the goal

I have limited boards for writing so I have the goals on cards which have been laminated and I display the goal. Letting students know learning goals allows them to keep track of their own progress.

2. Use Warm Ups to Begin Class

Using a warm up (also called a Bell Ringer or Do Now) is a way to activate prior knowledge or review the previous days lesson. It also previews the needed skills for the current days lesson for students.

I currently use google forms for a warm up because it is easier to see the results of the class.

But for years I used a form, projected the problem and students showed their work/answer on a printed form. The form was then passed to the front where I checked. Sometimes a student reviews the form and stamps that it was done.

Once students have finished their warm up, I go over the problem and share the answer.

3. Pre Teach Vocabulary

It doesn’t matter if students were previously taught the concepts in prior grades, vocabulary is key. Assume they do not remember.

Pretest the students vocabulary for the current unit/lesson. Most curriculums have a “knowledge check” before starting the unit but that check is likely focused on content, not vocabulary.

Use notes that give pictures and definitions. When students take notes, have them use color, label diagrams, draw arrows to emphasize definitions.

Have students review notes and use stars and question marks next to each word or phrase. Stars–Knew this, Question Marks–New to me.

4. Provide Time for Practice

Though lessons should not be focused on foundational skills practice, research has shown that 10 minutes a day improves confidence and math competency.

Try using some card games, mental activities or even online math games for practice. This may be used as a closing activity on a regular basis.

5. When Teaching, Think Out Loud

This works for instruction and for student practice. As a teacher shows an example, instead of just repeating the steps, it is a discussion as in the example below:

3x +4 = 10

 Teacher: “ Hmm, I remember that the idea is to get the variable on one side and everything else is on the other side. This is called ‘isolating the variable’.  I think I need the 4 on the same side with the 10. If I add 4 to both sides, then I will have 3x + 8 = 14. That doesn’t help, so I need to subtract. This leaves me with 3x = 6. But I don’t need 3 x’s I just need one, so if I divide by 3, then I will have one. Remember to divide on both sides. So x = 2.”

The teacher can also pause between steps and ask students for advice. My students are always amused that I have ‘forgotten’ how to do math and are glad to give suggestions.

This also works well if students work in pairs and one student assumes the role of sage (speaks) and the other student is the scribe (writes). They work together to complete the problem.

The roles are then switched for the next problem.

6. Solve Problems in Multiple Ways

There is always more than one way to solve a problem. When beginning a unit, emphasize the results and ask students to develop the process.

For example: Solving an equation can be done with manipulatives, drawing pictures, and even trial and error.  Introduce a variety of ways to solve and allow students to use the method they prefer.

I recently taught surface area. I showed the students how surface area means to find the area of each face and add together. We make a list of all the faces and painstakingly found the area of each one. Once they were proficient with this, I introduced a formula. Some were excited to have a faster way, others were more comfortable using the “long way”.

7. Use Error Analysis

When students are asked to find and explain an error in a problem helps them practice using vocabulary as well as examine their own thinking. Research says that students who are presented with problems that contain errors have greater gains than students who only view correct problems.

Providing explanations helps students make sense of math and construct arguments. Logic skills improve. Error analysis materials are easy to find. Ask students to solve a problem showing all the steps and then display one problem at a time and let them find the errors.

8. The Final 7 Minutes

The last few minutes of the lesson are important to cement the ideas in a students mind before they leave the class. Try using one of these to end the lesson:

  • Have the students write a summary of what they learned in the lesson and on a scale of 1-5 give a number to their understanding.
  • Give a quick formative assessment of 1-2 typical problems. I use Google forms for this and use the results of the exit ticket to let me know how much to review the next day.
  • Preview where the lesson is going the following day/week. Let students know how this lesson is going to support all the lessons that come after it.
  • If you assign homework, then preview the problems assigned. Make sure students know when the work is due.

I have recently begun using a calendar in Google Sheets to record the lesson for students (I prefer Excel). The calendar is shared in Google Classroom for students and support staff. It lets everyone know what lesson I covered, all the assignments and what the next week (month) looks like. None of my students can say they did not know there was a test or quiz, it is all recorded.

Support staff love this as well. It is easy to help students with current work when they know exactly what we are working on now as well as what skills will be needed for following lessons.

These are some of my favorite ways to structure a lesson. Do all my lessons have these components? No, the lessons are varied depending on the content. Some days do not have a warm up, some days do not need an exit ticket. Oddly enough, though I have nearly 2 decades of school structure I dislike routine. I like variety and try to mix up the lessons depending on student needs.  If you have any additional ideas to add to the list, drop a comment or send an email to bluemountainmath@gmail.com.

Filed Under: activities, attitudes about math, brain research, checks for understanding Leave a Comment

« Spicing Up Class Engagement
Using Scavenger Hunts in the Classroom »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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

Search

Categories

Boom Learning

Teachers Pay Teachers

Amazon Disclosure

Blue Mountain Math is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The links that are indicated as "affiliate links" mean I will be paid a small sum at no additional cost to you. Blue Mountain Math uses links to provide a service to the reader about products that have been used.

Latest on Pinterest

  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice finding combination and permutations. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Students practice using the distributive property, both in distributing and combining like terms, in these 2 puzzles in google slides. There are 2 puzzles--one in each simple level and challenging level. In the simpler level, the outside edges are blank, so if students are having difficulty, have them arrange the pieces so the blank sides are on the outside.
  • Sector Area in a Circle Paper Chain is a fun, engaging  activity that is self-checking, collaborative. Set of 15 problems that need to be cut apart, reassembled in the correct order and fastened together like a chain until the end is reached. Great worksh
  • This is a twisted trivia game where students (either in groups or playing individually with white boards) practice identifying solutions and writing inequalities from graphs. Check out the video preview to see the type of questions included.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice tipping using a percentage and finding the total meal cost. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!) #bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Great practice, worksheet alternative, formative assessment for students that you can HEAR if they are successful.  No printing, no laminating.  A Lifetime tool for the classroom.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice solving one step equations and assessing their understanding. This will give students a challenge in solving equations. Students will see 6 different equations and need to select the two with the same answer. This set of Boom Cards features 40 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice adding expenses from a budget, finding savings on budget choices and finding budgeted amounts. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)#bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this 20- card deck, students practice solving quadratics using the quadratic formula This set of Boom Cards features different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)

Latest on Instagram

Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and mo Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and more tech savvy than people who wear neck ties.....just a thought..... #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I expla My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I explained that National Cat Day is October 29. So Happy Dog Day to all your fur family. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
And for my southern relatives, have some fried chi And for my southern relatives, have some fried chicken with those waffles #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
AT last, a day for those of us who are over a cert AT last, a day for those of us who are over a certain age. Although, the picture does not reflect many of us. We are not sitting with our hands folder, we are still active and making a difference. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed to a lot of talk radio, but it got so negative that I noticed it was influencing my day. Are you a talk radio person and do you notice that? #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are cred Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are credited with the first airplane flight were not funded by the government? The government had funded several others, who failed. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Tuesday?  We could have Fajita Friday each week  So today enjoy the fajitas and think about having them weekly--like tacos. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
We have already used our colored markers and penci We have already used our colored markers and pencils.  Yeah, I love color. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that left handed people have brains t Did you know that left handed people have brains that work differently? Their brains communicates differently and have greater verbal skills....⁣
#teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt

Latest on Facebook

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
You have to do what makes you comfortable, however it is not feasible or even necessary to grade line item on every single paper and still remain sane.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/rkwv#minimizeclassroomdisruptions #savetime #seatingchart #seatingcharts #routines;TimeSavingTips #completenoncompletedassignment ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Engaging Activities for Math Class after Spring Break: lttr.ai/vBby#familiaractivities #feelsafe #activities #famousthinghappened #blanktaskcards #doesntbelongworks #familiarclassroomstructure ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
It takes a long time to get a bingo, sometimes the entire class period is spent trying to get just one.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/jVPW#greatpractice #increasesengagement #bingo #playbingo #reviewmathwithbingo ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Algebra tiles offers a great way to see an expression or what makes a variable different from an integer.Read the full article: Ways to Get Started With Algebra Tiles▸ lttr.ai/tLkj#concreteexamples #algebraicconcepts #algebratiles #manipulatives #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
After students finish the worksheet, and the work is shown, have them scan to see if their answers were right.Read the full article: Save Time Grading▸ lttr.ai/sjen#homework #collectedclasswork #grading #selfcheckingactivities #partneractivities #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.