• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE YEAR >>> ALL ACCESS

  • Home
  • Blog
  • SHOP
    • All Access Math Curriculum
    • Maneuvering Math™
    • Units and Activities
    • School Purchasing
  • SCHOOLS
  • ABOUT
    • Terms
  • HELP
    • Help Center
    • Contact
  • LOG IN

Maneuvering the Middle

Student-Centered Math Lessons

  • Lesson
    Planning
  • Math
    Concepts
  • Middle
    School
  • Classroom
    Technology
  • Teacher
    Organization

The Distributive Property

11 Oct

The distributive property is an important building block for algebraic concepts such as multiplying polynomials, recognizing equivalent expressions, and factoring polynomials. Since it starts as early as 6th grade, let’s talk about how to make this as concrete as possible for students. If you haven’t already, go back and read last week’s post on simplifying expressions by combining like ...

Read More

Tips for Teaching Simplifying Expressions

4 Oct

Simplifying expressions is foundational in Algebra! Clear understanding of this concept will help students solve equations in middle school and high school math. Come back next week when we will expound on this concept with the distributive property. Let’s dig into simplifying expressions by combining like terms. Vertical Alignment As always, I like to take a look at the ...

Read More

Structuring a 60 Minute Class Period

27 Sep

How long are your class periods?  Let's discuss ways to structure a 60 minute class period. These of course are guidelines; sometimes albeit often, in a middle school classroom, things do not go according to plan, but it is always a good idea to have a structured routine for both yourself and your students. **Be sure to check out our posts on structuring a 45 minute lesson and ...

Read More

Teaching Scientific Notation and Exponents

20 Sep

Let’s chat about scientific notation and exponents!  I have found that the simplest skills in math are often the most miscalculated and confusing for students. Exponents and scientific notation can fall into this trap.  Vertical Alignment Exponent Tips It is important with both exponents and scientific notation that students understand that they show a different way to ...

Read More

Are Math Pre-Assessments Necessary?

13 Sep

At the beginning of the school year, we are often asked about math pre-assessments:  Does Maneuvering the Middle have pre-assessments?Should teachers give pre-assessments?If yes, what are some best practices? It is likely that your school already has something in place like MAP or benchmark testing. In those cases, I would say that your pre-assessment is good to go. If you're ...

Read More

Structuring a 45 Minute Class Period

6 Sep

Does a perfect class length exist? Let’s talk about structuring a 45 minute class period. 45 minute class periods are what I experienced as a student, but as a teacher, whew - it is a whirlwind! Pros of 45 Minute Periods Students’ attention spans are only so long. 45 minutes means that the pace is quick, and there is no time to waste. Students can feel that urgency! Ideally, this ...

Read More

A Plan to Unfinished Learning

30 Aug

In July, Noelle presented an incredible training about what teachers can do to combat unfinished learning in math. Because the information was so relevant and useful, I thought it would be helpful for it to exist in a blog post as well. When your students aren’t where you want them to be, it can be easy to just keep trucking along. Ignoring the unfinished learning in your classroom ...

Read More

Teaching One- and Two-Step Inequalities

23 Aug

What I love so much about inequalities are the infinite solutions. For so much of students’ previous math experience, there is one exact answer. When it comes to inequalities, it is fun to push students to think of their answers beyond “x<4” and brainstorm all of the infinite solutions that x can be and then connect it to the graph. Can x be 3.9999?Can x be 4?Can x be ...

Read More

Easy First Week of School Activities for Middle School

16 Aug

First week of school activities are a must! If you have a few days built into your scope and sequence for culture building, then you may be asking yourself, “What on earth do I cover during that time?” Don’t worry - we got you!  I strongly suggest teaching routines and procedures and building relationships during that time, but presenting a slideshow explaining how to turn in ...

Read More

Solving Equations in Middle School Math

9 Aug

Solving equations is foundational for middle and high school math. Students actually have been doing this since first grade! However, students can make careless errors or struggle when it comes to following the many procedural steps required to solve an equation. The Standard Why the struggle? Solving equations is very revealing. If your students struggle with integer ...

Read More

  • Prev
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 33
  • Next

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello, I'm Noelle

Maneuvering the Middle is an education blog with valuable tips for lesson planning, classroom technology, and math concepts in the middle school classroom.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Twitter

Our Shop

View All Products

Reader Freebie

How to Teach Dividing Fractions

With Video Tutorials
everything you need to know to teach modeling fraction division

Popular Posts

5 Teacher Organization Tips for Middle School

Developing Math Confidence

How to Create a Unit Plan

Grading math homework doesn't have to be a hassle.  Read how to grade and organize it efficiently with a homework agenda. 

Grading Math Homework Made Easy

4 Classroom Procedures for Middle School

Math Interactive Notebooks and Vocabulary

  • CONTACT
    • FAQ
    • HELP CENTER
  • SHOP
  • TERMS OF USE
    • DISCLOSURES
  • SOCIAL
    • FACEBOOK
    • PINTEREST
    • INSTAGRAM
    • YOUTUBE
  • SCHOOLS
    • REQUEST A QUOTE
    • SUBMIT A PO

© Copyright 2013 - 2023  •  Maneuvering the Middle  •  All Rights Reserved  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs