What has been the biggest challenge for you when coming up with distance learning math lessons? For me, it’s been readjusting my own expectations. Maybe you can relate to this? So much of my identity as a math teacher is wrapped up in the idea of hands-on, open-ended lessons that promote collaboration. I’ve been living in this tension of what was and what is. It’s not a comfortable place to be but this is where the learning has been taking place.
After a few weeks of distance learning, (complete with frustration and growth) we’ve settled into a bit of a rhythm that works. If you are struggling to come up with ideas for distance learning this five-part structure for distance learning math lessons may be your answer!
Part 1: Number Talks (aka the easiest of all distance math lessons)
- Create a Question
- Add a link to the Number Talk (I download my Number Talks as a PNG or JPEG. Click here if you’ve been looking for some ready-to-go Number Talks)
- Add an instruction like this: Click on the picture. Share your response in the comments and remember to explain your thinking. Read your classmates’ responses and ask questions!
Part 2: Guided Math through Google Meet
Once a week, we have a Guided Math Google Meet. The students really respond to this, partly because it is so reminiscent of our old classroom and partly because they really need direct instruction right now. One of the mistakes I made the second week of distance learning was to have the kids try to discover the Pythagorean Theorem on their own using Google Slides and one billion tiny squares. It was not a success. Would it have been a success in the regular classroom? Absolutely – but this is not the ideal space for students to struggle through problems on their own. They need structure and feelings of success right now.
If you’ve been looking for some ready-to-go Guided Math resources, consider it done! Here is a Guided Math Notes bundle to help you get started.
Part 3: Online Tutorials that Reinforce Learning
After our Guided Math session, the students are sent to an online tutorial to reinforce the learning. The University of Waterloo has courseware for Grade 7/8 students. It is my favourite because it is free (yay!) and clearly walks them through examples and gives students a chance to practice. Nearpod and Khan Academy are two other options you can explore. Nearpod has some free tutorials and my students really responded well to them.
Part 4: Small Sets of Practice Problems
Next, it’s time to practice! In order to avoid overwhelming my students with copious amounts of math problems, I usually assign them 3-6 practice problems from KnowledgeHook. If they need more, I usually take a resource I already have and put a few questions into a Google Form for them to complete.
Part 5: Open-Ended Problems & Journal Prompts
Finally, we use an open-ended problem that allows the students to really apply their knowledge. Marian Small’s open-ended question resource (Good Questions: Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics) is my fave. I do have a few open-ended problems available in my store if you are looking for ideas to get started. Sometimes I will host a Google Meet to give students a chance to share their solutions and to see what their classmates came up with.
Since communication is key, they also complete a journal prompt. This allows them to reflect on the problem-solving process and demonstrate their understanding of what it means to be a mathematical thinker. Here’s how I introduce problem solving in the brick and mortar classroom.
When asked what their favourite part of last week’s lessons was almost every single one of my students mentioned Math. I was floored! We’re studying surface area of cylinders and it is challenging. Now that we’ve been using this five-part structure most students are beginning to thrive. If you wanna see something really amazing, try out one of these ideas and watch the magic happen. Then, come on over to Instagram and tell me how it went!
