3 Ways to Get Elementary Students Excited About Math

3 Ways to Get Elementary Students Excited About Math Many students describe math as boring or too hard. While its important for students to engage with concepts and class activities that they dont necessarily like, there are also ways to help students become more invested in the subject, such as using apps or manipulatives. Here are three ways to get elementary students excited about math this year: 1. Get elementary students excited about math by using manipulatives Manipulativeswhich can be any physical objectare a great way to encourage hands-on learning and to build excitement in the classroom. There are a number of pre-made tools you can buy (if your school doesnt already have them), including: Base ten blocks Cuisenaire rods Geometry peg boards Pattern blocks Unifix cubes. These manipulatives help students engage with elementary math concepts like fractions and geometry. You can also use common items you might have around your house, such as dry beans. Using manipulatives will speak to your visual and tactile learners, and also help those who may struggle with attention. [RELATED: 3 Ways Teachers Can Encourage Passion for Learning This Semester] 2. Get elementary students excited about math by incorporating real-world examples Real-world examples are one of the best ways to increase motivation in the classroom. Create story problems that revolve around day-to-day situations, especially those that are specific to your students and your community. For example, some textbook story problems may cite families driving cars, whereas your students may ride buses and subways, or vice versa. Adjust problems like these so the majority of your students can relate. For added fun, include classmates and teachers names, as well (and always in a positive manner). If youre able to plan a field trip, involve your students in the planning. For example, have students calculate how many buses they need for a specific number of students, how much tickets will cost for the whole grade to attend an event, etc. [RELATED: 4 Ways Personalized Learning Positively Impacts Students] 3. Get elementary students excited about math by introducing math apps during class time If you have technology in your classroom, check out the wide range of math apps available online. You might consider game-oriented apps, where students have to solve math problems as they participate in a story linefor example, Mystery Math Town and Sushi Monster. You might use apps that work as glorified manipulatives, like Counting Caterpillar and Peter Pigs Money Counter. Lastly, try apps that are not necessarily math-focused, but that encourage students to explain and show their thinking. Flipgrid is an example of a video platform where you can have students make videos showing how they got their answers, or make tutorials and sample lessons that could help other students. If youre able, try a mixture of these activities, in both small and large groups. If you can connect math to another subject (within your own classroom or by collaborating with another teacher), even better! [RELATED: 3 Emerging EdTech Tools That Can Spark an Interest in Learning] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.