1. Small dry erase boards (or white boards from your local home supply store cut into squares) and dry erase markers are great tools when teaching math. You write a problem out on the board and have all of your students copy it down and work it out. The first one that lifts their board in the air with the correct answer wins a treat. (Tip: Maybe set a time limit for each problem)

2. You can create a game show in your classroom with touch light’s (those lights you push on and they turn on) and math problems. Divide your class into two teams (boys versus girls if you can) and each student gets a light. You give out math problems and the student or team that completes the problem first hits their light and their team gets a point (if the problem is right). Offer some type of prize to the winning team.

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For many students, a special anxiety is associated with taking a math test. Students who believe they are not good at math probably won’t do well on math tests even if they study. Your job as a math teacher would be to help them cope with math anxiety. Here are some tips you can suggest your students to begin thinking about math – and math tests – in a different way. (more...)