Tips for Teaching Math

10 Best Practices in Mathematics Instruction

Opportunity to Learn	The extent of students' opportunity to learn mathematics content bears directly and decisively on student mathematics achievement.
Focus on Meaning	Focusing instruction on the meaningful development of important mathematical ideas increases student learning.
Learning New Concepts and Skills While Solving Problems	Students can learn both concepts and skills by solving problems.
Opportunities for Both Invention and Practice	Giving students both an opportunity to discover and invent new knowledge and an opportunity to practice what they have learned improves student achievement.
Openness to Student Solution Methods and Student Interaction	Teaching that incorporates students' intuitive solution methods can increase student learning, especially when combined with opportunities for student interaction and discussion.
Small-Group Learning	Using small groups of students to work on activities, problems, and assignments can increase student mathematics achievement.
Whole-Class Discussion	Whole-class discussion following individual and group work improves student achievement.
Number Sense	Teaching mathematics with a focus on number sense encourages students to become problem solvers in a wide variety of situations and to and view mathematics as a discipline where thinking is important.
Concrete Materials	Long-term use of concrete materials is positively related to increases in student mathematics achievement and improved attitudes toward mathematics.
Student Use of Calculators	Using calculators in the learning of mathematics can result in increased achievement and improved student attitudes.