As the new school year approaches, excitement and anticipation are in the air. It’s a fresh start—new students, new challenges, and new opportunities to inspire a love of learning. The first few weeks of school are critical for establishing a solid foundation that will carry students through the year. So, how can you ensure a smooth, successful start in your math class? Let’s dive into some tips to help you prepare, along with ways to incorporate XtraMath into your daily routine to boost math fluency.
Before diving into math instruction, establish clear rules, routines, and procedures. A well-structured environment helps students understand what’s expected of them, smoothing transitions and minimizing disruptions. Research highlights the importance of starting each day with a consistent routine, as it creates a predictable structure that supports students' focus and engagement throughout the day. Including XtraMath as part of the daily morning work routine allows students to practice their math facts as soon as they walk through the door. This not only reinforces math fluency but also sets a calm and productive tone for the rest of the day.
Establishing a consistent routine, such as starting the math block with activities like Number Talks or Math Drills, helps students ease into the learning process. Incorporating XtraMath during this time is a great way to kick off the day, allowing students to practice their math facts—addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division—in under 15 minutes. This short, regular practice steadily improves their fluency and boosts their confidence to tackle more complex problems.
At Vincent Elementary School, they introduced a school-wide "XtraMath Focus Time" where students from 1st through 4th grade dedicate 10-15 minutes each day to practicing math facts. This routine has led to notable improvements in fluency and turned math practice into a fun, highly anticipated part of the student's daily schedule.
A successful math class is about more than numbers—it's about creating a community. Focus the first few weeks on building a supportive space where students feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. Encourage a growth mindset by framing challenges as learning opportunities.
Incorporate activities like collaborative problem-solving, where students work in groups to tackle brain teasers or math puzzles. This fosters teamwork, builds connections, and helps create a culture where students feel safe asking questions and exploring strategies.
Your classroom setup can have a huge impact on student engagement. Think about how you can make math exciting and approachable through your classroom decor. Display math symbols, number lines, geometric shapes, and examples of student work to celebrate math and make it accessible to all learners. Having a designated area for the “XtraMath Wall of Fame” or “Math in Action” bulletin board, for example, can showcase problem-solving challenges or highlight students' progress. This visual reinforcement reminds students that math is everywhere and that they are capable of success.
In the first few weeks of school, it's essential to gauge where students are in their math skills. Conduct diagnostics using the “assessment only”-custom program that XtraMath Premium offers to determine students' math fluency level and identify gaps in knowledge. This helps you tailor your instruction to meet the needs of each student, ensuring that no one falls behind.
One of the most effective ways to manage your math block is by using rotations. This strategy allows you to work with smaller groups while keeping other students engaged in meaningful independent tasks. A sample schedule might include three to four groups rotating through different stations: one for independent work, one for small group instruction with you, and one for computer-based activities like XtraMath.
XtraMath fits perfectly into this rotation model, giving students a chance to practice their math facts independently while they work with small groups. As one teacher with over ten years of experience shared, “Even though students aren’t always thrilled about practicing math facts, the short, focused sessions on XtraMath help them make real, noticeable improvements.” The key is consistency—by making XtraMath a regular part of your rotation, students get the daily practice they need to improve their math fluency without feeling overwhelmed.
Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your students’ progress, no matter how small. Whether it’s mastering a tricky multiplication fact or reaching a new milestone on XtraMath and earning a trophy, acknowledging their efforts boosts confidence and motivation. Recognizing students when they achieve certificates on XtraMath creates a sense of pride and keeps them eager to continue learning and improving. These moments of recognition play a vital role in maintaining their enthusiasm for math. For even more ways to keep students engaged with XtraMath, check out this blog: Creative Strategies to Boost XtraMath Usage. It offers additional tips to make the program even more exciting for your students.
Starting the school year off right in math class is all about preparation, consistency, and creating an environment where students feel empowered to learn. By incorporating tools like XtraMath into your routine, setting clear expectations, and building a strong classroom community, you’re setting your students up for success—not just for the first few weeks but for the entire year.
So, embrace the fresh start and make this your best math year yet!
Jackeline Paz Orcutt
Product Marketing Manager
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