In a student-centered mathematics classroom, students connect mathematics to real-world ideas, communicate their mathematical thinking, and persevere in problem-solving.
A focus on student-centered math provides educators with the skills to select purposeful tasks, anticipate common errors, and choose instructional routines that support the mathematical abilities of all students.
Focus Area
Student-centered mathematics instruction engages all students through creativity, exploration, and collaboration. We support skill development through personalized pathways built from workshops, 1:1 coaching, and learning walks to achieve clear outcomes.
Outcome: I can implement student-centered math practices in a flexible learning environment by adjusting instruction and deliberately selecting strategies that work in synchronous and asynchronous learning environments.
Outcome: I can implement student-centered math fundamentals in my classroom in order foster student ownership, support students to become confident math thinkers, and increase engagement by connecting to students’ interests and identities.
Outcome: I can promote mathematical discourse in my classroom in order to support students to share ideas, clarify understandings, and learn to see things from other perspectives.
Outcome: I can scaffold, differentiate, and utilize choice in order to support students to meaningfully engage with mathematics.
Outcome: I can use visual representations in order to support mathematical reasoning.
Outcome: I can implement the Math Language Routines in order to support my students to communicate about their thinking and to make sense of math concepts.
Outcome: I can humanize mathematics by building a positive math culture that shifts teacher and student beliefs about what math is and how people learn math.
Outcome: I can use the Desmos Snapshots Tool in order to organize an inclusive, productive 5 Practices-style class discussion.
Outcome: I can implement “just-in-time” supports such as vertical mapping, creating acceleration stations, and differentiating using tech tools, in order to accelerate my students’ math learning.
Outcome: I can use tech tools strategically to support students to collaborate, communicate and visualize mathematical ideas.
Support students to enter the content by engaging in the I Notice, I Wonder protocol.
Increase math fluency by discussing and critiquing structure, patterns, and mathematical properties.
Help students reason mathematically by determining which figure, diagram, graph, or expression does not belong.
We’ve identified four Elements that are key for academic success and for building student-centered classrooms. BetterLesson guides teachers, instructional coaches, and leaders through Focus Areas within each Element to lead their professional development journey.
Instructional Leadership Improve instruction and learning for teachers and students by building your skills as an instructional leader.
Inclusive and Responsive Practices Build an equitable learning community where all students can be supported, celebrated, and successful.
Flexible Instructional Models Find unique ways for all students to learn, communicate, and solve meaningful problems.
Curriculum and Academic Content Use learning tools and curriculum to create a student-centered classroom.
Improve instruction and learning for teachers and students by building your skills as an instructional leader.
Build an equitable learning community where all students can be supported, celebrated, and successful.
Find unique ways for all students to learn, communicate, and solve meaningful problems.
Use learning tools and curriculum to create a student-centered classroom.
Accelerate growth in your schools and stay ahead of the curve.
