Ep 38: Beyond Kill and Drill: Engaging Math Practice Strategies

Modern Math Teacher

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Today, we're breaking free from the monotony of traditional drill and kill worksheets and delving into the realm of engaging math practice strategies. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to innovation! 💡📊 In this episode, Kristen shares four math practice methods guaranteed to make procedural practice more meaningful and enjoyable. Get ready to transform your math classrooms and elevate your students' problem-solving proficiency!
Today's Topics:

• Thin Sliced Problem Sets: Discover the power of variation theory and how making minor changes to problem sets can lead students through productive struggle.
• Partner and Group Collaborative Work:
  Foster peer teaching and communication skills with partner and group collaborative work.
• Games and Activities: Take procedural practice to the next level with games and gamification! Kristen suggests a variety of options, from classic board games to TpT resources and interactive Smartboard games and full lesson gamification.
• Problem Solving and Performance Tasks: Go beyond traditional practice with problem-solving and performance tasks. These tasks enhance procedural skills and foster conceptual understanding through active investigation. 🌐📈
  

From thin-sliced problem sets to collaborative work, games, and problem-solving tasks, Kristen has equipped you with a toolbox full of ideas. Remember, variety is the spice of life, so don't be afraid to mix it up in your classrooms. 🌈✨

Now get out there and experiment with these strategies in your upcoming lessons and share your experiences on social media using #EngagingMathPractices and tag Kristen @MooreThanJustX.

Recommended Resources:

• Thinking Task: Math Medic's "What's Missing?"
• Gamification: Mathable Game and MathWars PD
• Problem Solving Tasks MapMathshell

Related Episodes:

• Episode 13: Building my Geometry Thinking Classroom

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!