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
    Special Education Webinar
    Bridging the Math Gap: What’s New in Dyscalculia Identification, Instruction & State Action
    Discover the latest dyscalculia research insights, state-level policy trends, and classroom strategies to make math more accessible for all.
    Content provided by TouchMath
    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 Climate & Safety Webinar
    Belonging as a Leadership Strategy for Today’s Schools
    Belonging isn’t a slogan—it’s a leadership strategy. Learn what research shows actually works to improve attendance, culture, and learning.
    Content provided by Harmony Academy
    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
    Too Many Initiatives, Not Enough Alignment: A Change Management Playbook for Leaders
    Learn how leadership teams can increase alignment and evaluate every program, practice, and purchase against a clear strategic plan.
    Content provided by Otus

    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 How the Vocabulary Math Teachers Use Affects Student Learning
    A new study draws a link between teachers' use of a discrete instructional practice and student performance.
    4 min read
    Word Cloud MATH terms: polygon, multiply, rectangle, ordered pair, place value, quadrilateral, subtract, algorithm, median, remainder, number line, factors, divide.
    Education Week and Canva
    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
    Mathematics Quiz
    Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Today’s Most Effective Math Practices?
    Test your knowledge and explore what sets high-impact math instruction apart from traditional methods.
    Content provided by MIND Education
    Mathematics Opinion How to Make Every Student Feel Like a ‘Math Person’
    Math teachers and researchers discuss how to make the subject more engaging and accessible.
    3 min read
    Learning math and mathematics education for problem solving and calculating mathematical concepts as algebra calculus geometry and physics science or mental disorder as Dyscalculia or symbol for economics and engineering or machine learning
    iStock/Getty + Education Week
    Mathematics High-Achieving Black and Latino Students Are Often Shut Out of Algebra 1
    Middle schoolers' access to the course is stratified along racial, socioeconomic, and regional lines, new research finds.
    3 min read
    Logan Jeffiers teaches an eighth grade pre-algebra class on April 28, 2023, at Medlin Middle School in Trophy Club, Texas.
    Logan Jeffiers teaches an eighth grade prealgebra class on April 28, 2023, at Medlin Middle School in Trophy Club, Texas. New data confirm that even when they have similar academic marks as their white peers, Black and Latino students tend to have less access to the gatekeeping course of Algebra 1.
    Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via TNS