Factoring trinomials relies on many prerequisite skills (distributing, multiplying polynomials, finding a greatest common factor, exponent rules, and integer operations… I’m sure there are more). It also sets the stage for future success in solving quadratic equations and graphing quadratic functions.This makes factoring polynomials so important for students to conquer. As a student, I ...
15 Creative Incentives for Middle School
Incentives for middle school are vital for your classroom! In the early months of my first year of teaching, class periods competed for points that were awarded based on seamless transitions, highest test averages, and being on task. While my students were working on earning points, I had learned that the cupcake reward was not feasible due to a school policy. *Cue palm to ...
Classroom Routines and Procedures for the Spring
January is here, which means the spring semester has started! After a long winter break, students need to be refreshed on how your classroom runs, so let’s talk about teaching (or reteaching) those beloved routines and procedures.Is this really necessary?You know your students and what is happening in your classroom best. For me, it was always a yes. I didn’t go into nearly as much ...
Coordinate Plane Activities to Try
The coordinate plane is a personal favorite of mine. It is hands-on, reinforces the ordering of rational numbers, and spans all of secondary education. If there is a unit that I look most forward to - it is this one!Today I will share some tips for teaching the complexities of this grid and some engaging activities that you and your students will love.Three Tips for TeachingThe most ...
Tips for Successful Co-Teaching
Co-teaching is a great opportunity to reach more students by having an additional educator in the classroom. Let’s talk about ways to create a successful co-teaching relationship!Note: These tips are more general in nature. Please follow any guidelines provided to you by your school or district.Inside of the ClassroomBe InclusiveMy first experience in co-teaching was when I was hired in ...
Math Activities to Survive December
The end of the semester is upon us! While the energy in your classroom may be brimming with anticipation, there is still math to be taught and deadlines that loom. Here are some December math activities that will get you to winter break.Math Activities to Survive DecemberBusiness as Usual - Perhaps, you have timed it perfectly; the end of the unit or your midterm falls on the last day ...
Finding Percents Activities
Finding percents can be difficult for students - they are conceptually rigorous and typically found in a word problem. The solution? Strong instruction and plenty of practice. Here are a few tips and activities for calculating and finding percents.Make Percents VisualPercents are perfect for visual representation! There is no better way to do this than using a tape diagram. In fact, if ...
Mastering Order of Operations
Order of Operations is a student and teacher favorite! Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally might be the most common mnemonic device to ever exist, so let’s chat a little bit about how to make order of operations engaging for your students.What is/are the Order of Operations?Order of Operations is the rule provided to standardize how to solve any problem involving multiple operations. You ...
Self-Checking Activities in Math
One of the best classroom procedures that you can teach your students is the routine for self-checking work. Self-checking activities and self-checking routines were a game changer for me! Does this sound familiar? You just sit down with your small group when you see a raised hand. You vacate your small group table to check on this student when they point to their first completed ...
The Benefits of Math Projects
In my classroom, students would respond with an emphatic, “YES!” when I announced the start of any type of math project. Despite that unanimous affirmation from students, I found projects were a challenge to plan and implement. Fortunately, Maneuvering the Middle has been hard at work to do this heavy lifting, so teachers and students can enjoy projects!We are so excited to announce our ...