Teaching math is not easy. It requires concentration, accuracy and an ability to make complex concepts exciting for students. The global pandemic and the transition to distance learning has made it even more challenging for teachers.
To help teachers create more impactful learning content, we recently added a new math symbol editor to Kahoot!. This week within Kahoot! Academy, we’re putting a spotlight on fantastic math teachers! We’ve asked them to share their top tips for engaging students with math, both in class and virtually:
“Take advantage of all of the helpful resources that are out there. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, especially now”
Jaye Schaffer, high school math teacher from New Jersey, knows through her own experience how overwhelmed and busy teachers can be. That’s why it’s important to make things easier on yourself and save time whenever you can by using already-created lesson videos, kahoots, activities, and digital assessments. To get your students motivated during distance learning, practice material in multiple ways, such as digital self-checking activities, while giving them immediate feedback.
Check out these collections of ready-to-use math kahoots!
“Try using kahoot slides to mix up some textbook work and make it a little more fun!”
If the kids are enjoying themselves, they are probably going to learn more, says Steve Auslander, 5th grade math teacher from Indiana. He always makes sure to make math learning fun and another way he does that is by creating math parody songs to pop music to teach complex concepts. Also, when you’re trying new things like kahoot slides and pop songs, be sure to ask your students for help and admit vulnerability.
Hear more advice from Steve in this video:
“When planning lessons, put on your student hat, and put yourself in a position to experience what your plans will feel like from a student perspective”
Cathy Yenca, otherwise known as Mathy Cathy, is a middle school math educator from Austin, Texas. She recommends putting yourself in your students’ position before actually trying out a lesson. In her classroom, she embraces the idea that we’re all teachers and we’re all learners, so it’s important to promote every student’s thinking. And if you’re making math kahoots for your classroom, she recommends starting with a learning standard, preferable one where questioning and scaffolding can help lead students to understanding.
Listen to more advice from Mathy Cathy in this video:
“Let’s teach our students to accept their mistakes”
Alfredo, math educator from Peru, believes that one of the biggest problems that students face when learning is the fear of making mistakes. That’s why we need to support students in helping them grow by accepting their mistakes, especially when it comes to complex subjects such as math. One way to support them is by using Kahoot! to bring joy into the virtual classroom and learn how to solve problems by trial and error. Also, Alfredo believes that no matter what subject you teach, you should work on managing emotions.
Alfredo gives more advice for teachers everywhere:
“Make sure students participate in their own learning – math does not have to be boring!”
José Martorell, university professor in Lima, Peru, supports his students in succeeding in math by making sure learning is not a one-way street. Students cannot learn if they are simply watching the teacher – they need to be active participants. Also, it’s important to make learning interesting and engaging at the same time, which is why it’s helpful to use resources on the web, such as Kahoot!. Educators can use Kahoot! to evaluate prior knowledge, assess learning, and assign homework. By using reports, you can see analytics that will help you target instruction, and the Groups function allows you to share resources with others!
Visit José’s Verified profile on Kahoot! Academy with math kahoots in Spanish.
Check these collections of ready-to-use math kahoots – you can play them with your students in class or remotely, or duplicate and customize to your needs.
