Is there anything more satisfying than solving a system of equations problem? That might be the nerdiest sentence ever published on this blog, but it is true! I loved learning systems of equations as a student, and I loved teaching it as a teacher. Let’s jump into the 3 methods for mastering systems of equations. This post is full, so be on the lookout for part 2 where we will discuss ...
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6 Tips for Math Small Groups
If adding small groups to your math instruction is a goal for the new year, then this post is for you. We are breaking down the 6 most critical tips for implementing a successful small group. Check out the video here. In case you can’t watch the video, here are some tips on how to implement small group instruction. In case you can’t watch the video, here are some tips on how ...
Student-Centered Math Activities
Planning student-centered math activities takes work! There is the actual planning and creating that takes time, but then there is also the actual classroom time to squeeze the activities into. I have five 7 favorite activities that are fun and engaging, but also help scaffold the learning. I think that is why I love math so much; it can be broken down into smaller components. The ...
How To Structure a 100 Minute Class Period
Most math teachers would love a longer class period! I taught a 100 minute class one year, and it definitely had its pros and cons: Pros of a 100 Minute Class Period Cons of a 100 Minute Class Period Things to Consider Below is just one way to structure your 100 minute class period. Sometimes things do not go according to plan, but it is always a good idea to have a ...
Staying on Track with Your Scope and Sequence
As a teacher, getting behind in your scope and sequence can feel especially stressful. These tips will keep you on track so when it comes to test review time in the spring, you have covered all of your material, and you aren’t rushing to fit it all in and trying to review too! 1. Use a Scope and Sequence (grab ours!) If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you aren’t provided a ...
Ideas for Organizing Math Intervention
If you are a classroom teacher, then you are probably very familiar with documenting student data and progress. Documenting the differentiation you are providing for every single student while also teaching said students can feel impossible. Hopefully, these tips for organizing your math intervention documentation will make it all more manageable. Plus, there are a few freebies to get ...
Utilizing Our STAAR Question Bank
STAAR is a registered trademark of the Texas Education Agency. Maneuvering the Middle® is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or the State of Texas. For Texas Teachers The STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) is moving online with a variety of new open-ended question types. Maneuvering the Middle has designed a bank of questions to ...
TEA STAAR Redesign
STAAR is a registered trademark of the Texas Education Agency. Maneuvering the Middle® is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or the State of Texas. For Texas Teachers If you teach middle school math in the great state of Texas, then this is for you! The STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) has made some pretty significant changes ...
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 Visual Percents are perfect for visual representation! There is no better way to do this than using a tape diagram. In ...
Are Math Pre-Assessments Necessary?
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 ...