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:
    Instruction Opinion

    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
    Assessment Webinar
    Reflections on Evidence-Based Grading Practices: What We Learned for Next Year
    Get real insights on evidence-based grading from K-12 leaders.
    Content provided by Otus
    Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum How AI Use Is Expanding in K-12 Schools
    Join this free virtual event to explore how AI technology is—and is not—improving K-12 teaching and learning.
    Student Achievement K-12 Essentials Forum How to Build and Scale Effective K-12 State & District Tutoring Programs
    Join this free virtual summit to learn from education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts on the topic of high-impact tutoring.

    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 Spotlight Spotlight on Building Strong Foundations in Math
    This Spotlight will help you discover how to help students develop conceptual understanding, effectively teach word problems, and more.



    Mathematics Opinion One Thing We Get Wrong About Teaching Math (and How to Fix It)
    A simple change to how you structure math class will stop students from turning their ‘math brains’ off.
    Sara Delano Moore
    5 min read
    Math manipulatives on a graph paper notebook.
    Nataliia Tymofieieva/Getty + Education Week
    Mathematics Spotlight Spotlight on Innovative Approaches to Math Engagement
    This Spotlight will help you discover how to create motivating classroom environments, connect math to potential careers, and more.
    Mathematics How 3 Top Math Teachers Nurture Students’ Ability to Tackle Challenge
    Education Week spoke with three award-winning teachers about how they help students persevere in the math classroom.
    4 min read
    Louisiana teacher Charday Wilson takes questions from her students shortly after winning a $25,000 Milken Award. She and two other teachers were recognized for their innovative math teaching.
    Back in the classroom, award recipient Charday Wilson teaches a math lesson and answers questions.
    Courtesy of Milken Family Foundation