An an aspiring high school mathematics teacher. what are some tips or activities I could use to engage my students in learning and make it enjoyable and fun instead of sitting in classroom for almost 2 hours?

Hi Jennifer!  I have a different perspective that may be of value to you.  I am not a teacher, but I have volunteered for several years tutoring High School Equivalency students.  These people are generally in their 30's or 40's who have decided to get there High School degree - and most dropped our of school while struggling with math.  What I've seen work with these students are (1) encourage them that they have the skills and ability to succeed in this subject - it does not need to be intimidating. (2) make it real - most people/kids can do math when it's relevant.  For example many people like sports and follow all sorts of statistics associated with players and teams - there's no limit to sports statistics and how they can serve as an example for math problems (baseball may be the best!) and (3) when possible, customize the coaching you give to the individual.  This may be difficult with a big class, but I've consistently been surprised to see what causes problems - it very much depends on the individual.

Hope this helps - and best of luck!

Hi Jennifer, there are so many different types of learner's. Visual, kinesthetic, auditory etc. The best way would be to develop an activity that is fun but also reaches each one of these different types of learning styles. Best of luck.

Hi Jennifer! I taught middle school math and encountered this challenge in a 90-minute block every day. I found that keeping notes concise (no longer than 10-15 minutes), designing word problems applicable to them specifically, and getting them moving around the room with stations the last 30 minutes of every class helped pass the time enjoyably. I had groups of 3-5 stations who would rotate to a different station every day of the week: Computers, Word Problems, Spiral Math (review of earlier grades), Games, and Poster-Making. "Gallery Walk" where students rotate around the room to different math problems hung on the wall to solve them is also a good way to get them moving. Please let me know if you need any more tips/activities!

You can always try to get your students involved STEM or STREAM programs in your area! Also, your school could partner with science museums or college math initiatives in your area. I have had 2 schools that are involved in a local college math project and it is very beneficial!

Hi Jennifer!

I just wanted to tell you thank you for understanding that it takes a LOT of effort to reach these kids and make math interesting to them! I think Kristen has some awesome ideas, and I hope you find a way to stay in touch with her!

I actually had the unpleasant task of trying to help a math teacher find a new career. He did not realize the extent to which he was going to have to go to inspire the students to learn. It was very sad.

I think that as we get older, we start making learning less fun, and more of something we "have" to do. I find that I can still name many of the countries in the world (as they were known in 1974), because of a simple, but fun, game my social studies teacher had made for us to play. Learning needs to be fun. Brienne also makes a good point - not everyone learns the same way. Try to incorporate different styles of learning into your lessons. I know I cannot learn auditorily, or even by reading, if I do not DO something to reinforce the lesson.

Best of luck to you, I think you will be a great teacher!

Kim