Opinion Blog

Classroom Q&A

With Larry Ferlazzo

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. Read more from this blog.

Mathematics Opinion

How Teachers Can Improve Their Math Instruction

By Larry Ferlazzo — August 09, 2024 1 min read
0724 opinion summer posts math bander fs
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

I’m not a math teacher, but I assume that those who are, like the rest of us educators, can always use good ideas on how to improve instruction.

Based on the feedback I’ve received on the posts in this collection, I think you’ll be able to find more than a few useful suggestions.

mathisfun

1. 11 Ways to Make Math Instruction More Accessible to English-Learners

Breaking down math steps into clear language is one way teachers can help English learners grasp both the content and academic language. Read more.

2. Math Might Be a Universal Language. But Don’t Teach It That Way

Encouraging students to use their first language helps them make math connections, increasing their understanding and engagement. Read more.

3. Math Is Also a Foreign Language to English Learners. How to Reach Them

As tough as math mastery can be for any student, learning it along with English calls for additional strategies. Try these nine. Read more.

Here are a few older posts that are also helpful:

4. 10 Teacher-Proofed Strategies for Improving Math Instruction

To move past “drill and skill,” educators can draw inspiration for creative math lessons from students’ everyday experiences. Read more.

5. Four Teacher-Recommended Instructional Strategies for Math

Four teachers share their favorite strategies for math instruction, including the Concrete Representational Abstract approach. Read more.

6. Twelve Ways to Make Math More Culturally Responsive

Four educators share ideas for using culturally responsive teaching in math class, including by helping students make community connections. Read more.


    Similar topics from Classroom Q&A:

    Related Tags:

    The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

    Events

    This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
    Sponsor
    Student Achievement Webinar
    Scaling Tutoring through Federal Work Study Partnerships
    Want to scale tutoring without overwhelming teachers? Join us for a webinar on using Federal Work-Study (FWS) to connect college students with school-age children.
    Content provided by Saga Education
    School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
    Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
    This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
    Sponsor
    School & District Management Webinar
    Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
    Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
    Content provided by Panorama Education

    EdWeek Top School Jobs

    Teacher Jobs
    Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
    View Jobs
    Principal Jobs
    Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
    View Jobs
    Administrator Jobs
    Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
    View Jobs
    Support Staff Jobs
    Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
    View Jobs

    Read Next

    Mathematics Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Innovative Approaches to Math Engagement?
    Answer 7 questions about effective strategies to engage students in math.
    Mathematics Video Here's How All Students Can Learn to Enjoy Word Problems
    Teachers should weave students' cultural context into word problems, says math expert David Dai.
    1 min read
    Mathematics Q&A Word Problems Get a Bad Rap in Math Class. Here’s How to Get Them Right
    Kevin Dykema, a math expert, shares strategies for teachers to help students tackle word problems.
    5 min read
    Education Week Math Mini-Course, Week 4, Word Problems, 2700 x 1806
    Eglė Plytnikaitė for Education Week
    Mathematics Can Kindergarten Math Lay the Foundation for Algebra? New Study Aims to Find Out
    Teaching algebraic thinking skills early—like generalizing, representing, and reasoning—can set students up for success, researchers say.
    4 min read
    Illustration of a young boy writing in a notepad with Algebra equations floating all around him
    iStock/Getty