How To Engage Middle School Students In Meaningful Math Discussions

Every math teacher would agree that keeping students engaged in math class is impossible. This method may not always help because when teachers leave students to work independently, they might end up chit-chatting. Then it becomes a little challenging to maintain the decorum of the class. Teachers in middle school have more significant responsibilities and must follow the curriculum. Every math teacher wonders how to engage students in math without getting bored throughout the math class. 

Keeping students engaged in math class is essential, as making studying fun helps create students’ interest in the subject. This encourages them to solve more math problems as they enjoy math problem-solving techniques. So making math classes exciting and meaningful by discussing the concept rather than just explaining it through oral instructions is more effective in math class. Let’s use a few methods to help teachers engage middle school students in meaningful math discussions.

6 Ways To Engage Students In Math

1. Discussing Problem-Solving Strategies 

The best way to find out if students have understood the concept is to give them an opportunity. Please provide them with opportunities where they can explain what they have understood.

This can be done well through group discussions. Every student might not get a  chance to speak in a regular class, but when there is a group discussion, they all get a chance. There is scope for constructive arguments in the class,

Divide the class into small groups before assigning math problems. Let the students try to solve the problem on their own. Students will first try to solve it by discussing it with their group. If your students are looking for best mathematics program online you should try Best Universities.

Teachers may appoint a few students as experts to help these groups solve problems. If the groups fail to arrive at the desired result even with the expert’s help, they can finally approach the teacher. 

Teachers may solve the problem immediately or wait until every group has solved it. Any group that completes the assignment can be made to share their answer with the entire class. In the end, the teacher may add his thoughts to it. This way, the whole class is engaged in the process of learning. 

2. Focus on Strengthening Foundations 

Teachers acknowledge that group activities are great, but it is also essential for each student to identify what approach he will follow to solve the problem before sharing his thoughts with the group.

Then the teacher can ask them to compare each other’s work, and they can analyze different approaches and solutions shared by their peers and have an exciting discussion.

3. Encourage Group Discussions 

Teachers may throw open-ended questions and leave the class for discussion. Teachers can then ask the students to raise their hands and give their answers one by one.

Such strategic prompts help students to improvise their thinking and deepen their understanding of the concept. Students become more focused and responsible toward their learning, and they do not want to be left behind and are bound to get involved in the discussion without inhibitions.

Such tasks certainly increase the interest in solving math problems. Like other activities, this math discussion requires a bit of planning and preparation to have maximum involvement of students.

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4. Acknowledging Mistakes

Math is never about getting the correct answers all the time. No one can become perfect in math without making mistakes. Math is about making mistakes and learning from them. Also, avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

So students must be taught to acknowledge their mistakes sportively. Help them analyze and figure out their mistakes. Then teach them the correct method of doing it. Students should be encouraged to ask questions no matter how silly it looks. 

5. Encourage Collaborative Learning Strategies

Students are expected to learn better when they work in groups. They exchange their ideas with each other before arriving at the best-suited conclusion.

Students will help each other to understand math concepts. To share their thoughts openly and freely without fear of being judged, teachers must ensure a healthy and safe classroom environment.

For this, the teacher must make students understand the purpose of collaborative learning to help them better understand math topics. 

There is no competition; it is a group learning where everybody’s views will be heard and compared. Using more math vocabulary during such discussion provides an added advantage.

Students should back their answers with facts and rationale. One cannot solve math problems based on imaginary ideas, and one can, at the max, visualize the problem and try to solve it.

6. Explain Expected Outcomes

Not all group discussions need to be spontaneous. Sometimes to get better and apt results the teacher can assign the topics in advance and give some time to present it. Teachers can make it clear as to what is expected of students. It is not enough to give the right answers but also they should be able to explain to their peers as to how they arrived at the result.

Then teachers can ask questions like what strategy was most effective in solving the given problem. Or he can ask the class which group was able to explain the concept clearly. Or which group managed to come up with the maximum number of examples.

They can even prepare a digital presentation that includes a visual representation of the concept. Students may be encouraged to add their creative bit and make their presentation attractive. Teachers may keep some surprise rewards for the team that gives the best presentation. This is to encourage everyone to do better.

Also read: How To Select An Effective Digital Math Tool For Your Classroom

Takeaway 

It is evident from the above discussion that the best way to keep students engaged is to engage them in exciting math discussions. The main aim of the discussion should emphasize reasoning, proof, evaluation and logical explanation. The ultimate goal behind this discussion is to make math classes exciting and push students toward deep thinking and reasoning. Teachers who follow meaningful math discussions from which students can relate and learn math. It also helps them to remember the concept and use the methods to solve a problem discussed in the math class during their exams.