3 Student Centered Math Activities to Excite and Engage Students

I may not have used the term student centered math activities as a new math teacher, but I knew that is exactly what I was looking for.

See, math was not my best subject in school. Sure I could regurgitate what my teacher did, but I didn’t fully understand it and I definitely didn’t enjoy it.

Despite me saying, “I will NEVER teach math”, I found myself teaching math about four or five years into my career. I felt inadequate to say the least, but I was determined to make math a class where my students could be confident and enjoy the learning process.

One of the first student centered activities I used were choice boards. And trust me we are going to talk more about those in a moment. But before we go any further I have to tell you that you can grab a FREE choice board template and sample simply by clicking here. This template makes creating your own choice board a piece of cake.

3 student centered math activities to excite and engage

Student Centered Activities

I have three student centered activities that I want to share with you today. I guess you probably figured that out from the title though huh? While I’m giving examples that are specific to math since I am a math teacher, please know that these activities can be used in any subject. And if you need help taking these ideas and implementing them into a different content are, please leave a comment below.

1. Choice Boards

I told you we would talk about these. It’s no secret that I love a good choice board. They have captured my heart. Why?

Because they captured my students’ interest. I have never seen buy-in with a math assignment like I have with choice boards. When students have a choice with the problems they practice in math, perseverance increases tremendously. When a student gets stuck on a math problem, they have the option to try a similar but different problem. The best part? Many of them will choose to go back and try the one they were stuck on after experiencing success with a similar problem.

choice board templates are a type of student centered activities

Not only are they persevering but you will be shocked at how many students ask to do more problems that what is required. When I give my students a this or that board, many of them will ask if they can just do all of the problems. Talk about making my teacher heart happy!

2. Scavenger Hunts

Students talking about their learning is a huge part of student centered math instruction. Scavenger hunts are such an easy way to not only get your students talking about their learning, but up and moving as well. And if you don’t already know this, let me tell you middle school students need that opportunity to move and talk. Scavenger hunts are what I call that good chaos. Students are up and all over the room. There is constant chatter. But man! It’s the best kind of chatter. They are talking about how they are solving problems. They are reflecting on their mistakes. It’s just a beautiful picture of a student centered classroom.

3. Self-Checking Activities

Speaking of reflecting on mistakes, that is exactly what I choose to incorporate self checking activities into my student centered math lessons. Sure self checking means that students are much more likely to make a 100% on the assignment.

But let me tell you a little secret. You don’t have to grade everything. After all, we are talking about a student centered classroom here. Self checking activities are not about the final grade. They are about the process and the learning that happens.

middle school self checking math worksheet are student centered activities

While there are ways of creating these types of activities with paper, digital self checking activities are all the rage. When students answer correctly, part of a picture will appear, or their answer will turn green, or perhaps they earn a sticker. It’s really pretty amazing the things that can be done. But my favorite part as the teacher is when the picture doesn’t appear, the answer turns red, or the sticker is not earned.

Why would wrong answers make me so happy? Because that is when the learning takes place. The immediate feedback allows students the opportunity right then and there to reflect and try again. It’s a beautiful thing.

Let’s Create Some Student Centered Math Lessons

So what do you say? Are you ready to create some student centered math lessons? Are the ideas flowing yet? If you are ready to get started but need someone to hold your hand and encourage you with each step, I’m you girl. I have a few resources that will make getting started easy peasy.