Teaching math is hard enough.
Add in lesson planning, and it can feel downright impossible some days.
Between juggling different student needs, finding engaging activities, and managing prep time, it’s no wonder planning feels overwhelming.
The good news?
Low-prep math activities can simplify your workload without sacrificing quality or engagement.
Keep reading to learn about five easy ways to streamline your planning process and make your math block more manageable.
Use Low-Prep Math Activities That Work for All Levels
Low-prep math activities are a lifesaver when you’re short on time.
Resources like math choice boards are perfect because they’re easy to prep and can be used with students at different levels.
Instead of planning multiple activities, you can offer choices that meet your students where they are.
If you’re new to choice boards, I’ve got a free one you can try.
It’s quick to set up and will give you a little breathing room in your week.
Grab it below.
Incorporate Routine-Based Activities
Building consistent routines into your day can make planning less stressful.
Repeating activities, like daily math facts practice or weekly review games, gives students the structure they need while saving you time.
For example, if you always use a review game for independent work time on Fridays, you don’t have to plan something elaborate for that time block.
You can just pick from your collection of already-prepped games… and done!
These holiday and seasonal math fact games are a great example – they’re simple to set up, engaging for students, and easy to rotate into your routine.
Having reliable activities like these means you can spend less time planning and more time teaching.
Maximize Independent Work Time
Independent work stations or games can give you the flexibility to focus on small groups while keeping the rest of your class engaged.
Look for low-prep math activities that have clear instructions and don’t require a lot of supervision.
Bonus points if they’re self-checking!
One teacher recently told me how much her students loved the math games in my shop because they kept everyone on task and gave her time to work with students who needed extra help.
When you’re not constantly putting out fires, teaching feels a whole lot easier.
Keep Materials Organized
Organization might not sound exciting, but it’s a huge time-saver.
Create labeled bins or folders for your most-used resources, so you can grab what you need without digging through piles of papers.
Low-prep math resources make this even easier because they’re reusable – no need to start from scratch every time.
Spend a few minutes each week tidying up your materials, and you’ll thank yourself later when everything is exactly where you need it.
Invest in Ready-to-Use Bundles
Sometimes, the best way to simplify is to start with resources that are already done for you.
Ready-to-use bundles save you time in the long run by giving you a collection of activities that you can use throughout the year.
It’s one less thing to think about when you’re planning.
If you’re looking for something comprehensive, this full-year bundle of math choice boards has everything you need to make your math block easier to plan and more engaging for your students.
Take the First Step with Low-Prep Math
Simplifying your math prep doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start small, focus on what works, and let the right resources do the heavy lifting for you.
If you’re ready to make your planning easier, grab your free choice board.
You don’t have to spend hours on prep to make math engaging and effective.
Let me help you simplify, so you can focus on what matters most – helping your students grow and reclaiming your time.
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