Want new strategies for how to build math confidence in first grade? Building math confidence in first grade is about so much more than just getting the correct answers. In the younger grades, first graders are figuring out how they feel about math, whether they see themselves as “good at math”, or if they begin to believe that math is too hard. As teachers, we want our students to feel capable, curious, and excited about mathematical concepts. We also want them to feel safe when learning new math skills- safe to make mistakes in a safe and caring environment. Mistakes are part of the process!
In this blog post, we are going to discuss different ways to build math confidence and reduce math anxiety every day in your classroom! If you are looking for easy ways to build math confidence in first grade, these strategies will help you nurture your students’ math mindset every day.
Begin With Consistent Math Routines
Confidence grows when students know what to expect. A consistent routine every day helps students recognize what will happen every day in their math block. For example, in my classroom we always started with our math review journals to review past math concepts to warm-up our brains for new concepts. Then, we would move into our whole group math lesson, independent work, and finally math centers.
What could this look like in your classroom? Begin every math block with a math warm-up like number talks, math journal prompts, or review questions from the previous days lesson. Our math review journals are perfect for a math warm-up because each page reviews important first grade math skills like addition, subtraction, shapes, telling time, etc. The format stays the same day to day, month to month so that students know what to expect, can work independently, and build confidence.
Celebrate Small Wins
With everything we juggle in the school day, it is easy to focus on the big wins, like solving a tricky word problem, getting a perfect score on a test, etc. However, those small wins matter too! It is always important to celebrate effort and progress too. To me, school isn’t just about getting the right answer. It is about the whole child and watching each child develop throughout the school year. When we celebrate students for effort and progress, they start to believe they are capable, even when they make mistakes along the way.
What small wins can you celebrate?
- Solving a math problem using a brand new strategy
- Explaining their thinking aloud (this is particularly difficult for 1st graders!)
- Using math vocabulary correctly
- Working with a partner to solve math problems
- Not giving up when the work gets too difficult
- Having a growth mindset when it comes to solving math problems
- Keeping a positive attitude, even when they make a mistake
Use Real Life Math Connections
Have you seen the memes that say “I’m glad I learned about parallelograms instead of how to do taxes. It really helps me this parallelogram season.” They always make me laugh, especially around tax season. Math feels more doable when you can connect it to the real world. Look at your schedule and see how you can incorporate math into your morning routines, classroom jobs, transitions, or even bathroom breaks!
Real-life math shows students that math is not just something they do on worksheets or in a student workbook- it is something they use in everyday life and will continue to use every day for their whole lives!
Examples of real-world math ideas during the school day:
- Counting lunch orders
- Graphing the weather
- Counting recess equipment when going outside or coming back in
- Counting the number of students in line anytime you line up to go somewhere (i.e. field trips, bathroom breaks, lunch, recess, etc.)
- Practicing subtraction word problems and math facts when students are absent (example: we have 24 students in class, but 3 are absent today. How many students do we have in our classroom today?).
- Reading both an analog clock and digital clock in your classroom
These are simple ways to add in real-life applications to your math block without causing extra work (or very much extra work) to your day.
Offer Low-Stakes Practice Every Day
The more opportunities students have to practice without pressure, the more confidence they will gain! What do I mean with low-stakes practice? No grades attached, students focus on trying different math strategies without the fear of being wrong, and welcome mistakes as teachable moments! By doing this, students will become more comfortable thinking about math instead of worrying about getting the wrong answer.
Plus, when you create a positive learning environment where you allow mistakes and allow students to take their time and work through frustration, you will help your students build confidence and feel comfortable in their math abilities. One of the greatest obstacles with teaching math is allowing your students to make mistakes so they can work through the problems on their own.
Our independent math games are the perfect no-pressure way to build in math review into your day to build students’ math confidence. With independent math games, students get to practice alone, giving them time to think through their math problems at their own pace. They are still fun board games, but without the peer pressure of making sure you get the right answer. They can work through math facts and problems on their own time. They are a great way to build mathematical confidence.
Our independent math games come in different math skills to build strong number sense, practice addition and subtraction facts, place value, telling time, and shapes. Plus, they are a great way to make math fun!
Click here for our independent math games on TPT.
Click here for our independent math games on our website.
Give Choices To Empower Students
Confidence will grow when students feel in control of their learning. Make sure to offer choices in how students show their math thinking like drawing pictures, using manipulatives, writing number sentences, or explaining aloud to a peer. When students have choices, they focus more on how they think rather than just trying to get to the answer quickly.
Create Personal Math Goals
One of the most powerful ways to boost math confidence for young children it to help them set their own goals. Setting personal math goals helps students see their progress in a way that feels personal and meaningful. Even small goals, like mastering doubles facts, give students a sense of accomplishment and a reason to be proud. When students have a say in what they want to improve, they feel ownership over their learning and pride when they meet that goal!
Personal goals make progress feel meaningful. I often set goals for myself and when I meet that goal, I feel extremely accomplished, even if the goal was small. By making goals, students can work on specific skills they personally want to improve on. However, make sure these are realistic goals! Sometimes in the early grades, students get a little ambitious with their goals. For example, a first grader working on addition facts to 10 would not set a goal to master division. Keep goals age-appropriate so students can stay motivated.
Here are some different ideas for math goals for students:
- I want to learn all of my addition facts to 20.
- I want to be able to explain how I solve word problems.
- I want to master all of my doubles facts.
Confidence in math starts with building positive experiences, celebrating progress, and making math feel fun. When you use these strategies in your daily math routine, you will help your students see themselves as confident mathematicians.
Fun Activities To Build Math Confidence
Finding strategies for how to build math confidence in first grade does not have to be complicated. With consistent routines, real-life connections, goal setting, and low-pressure ways to practice, your students will begin to see themselves as mathematicians!
Ready to make building math confidence part of your daily schedule? Grab our math journals to give your students quick, meaningful practice every day!
Click the links below to see our math journals in different grade levels:
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Fun 1st Grade Math Games For Classroom Learning
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