How Low-Prep Math Resources Changed My Teaching (And Can Change Yours Too)

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It was 8 PM on a Sunday night. 

Papers were scattered across my kitchen table, my laptop was balanced on the edge, and I had a growing list of lessons that still needed planning. 

My kids were already asleep, and I could feel the minutes of my evening slipping away. 

As I stared at my to-do list, I thought, “There has to be a better way to handle this.” 

Sound familiar? 

If so, you’re not alone.

Like so many teachers, I found myself overwhelmed by the never-ending cycle of planning lessons, meeting the needs of diverse learners, and trying to create engaging activities for my students.

Math prep, in particular, felt like a mountain I could never fully climb.

I was desperate for a solution that would give me more time with my family and a classroom where students were focused and engaged.

That’s when I realized the power of low-prep math resources.

They were exactly what I needed to change my teaching and reclaim my evenings.

These resources allowed me to save hours of prep time without sacrificing the quality of my lessons.

In fact, they made my teaching even more effective by helping me stay organized and provide differentiated activities that kept my students on task.

Teaching is rewarding, but it’s also exhausting - especially when you’re trying to juggle lesson planning, grading, and the endless demands of the classroom.

Why Low-Prep Math Resources Are Essential

Low-prep math resources are exactly what they sound like: ready-to-use materials that require minimal preparation.

Think activities like math choice boards, quick games, or simple practice sheets.

These resources take the heavy lifting out of planning, so you can focus on what matters most – your students and your time.

When I started using these resources, here’s what changed:

  1. More Time for Family: Instead of spending late nights planning, I could relax with my kids and enjoy my evenings without guilt.
  2. Improved Classroom Management: My students were more engaged because the activities were easy to implement and adaptable to different learning levels.
  3. Better Student Outcomes: With resources designed to meet diverse needs, I noticed my students making significant progress in their math skills.
Low-prep resources saved me hours of planning time. Instead of spending my evenings creating elaborate lessons, I could pull out a ready-to-use activity that I knew would work.

How You Can Simplify Your Prep

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are a few practical tips to help you get started with low-prep math resources:

  • Start Small: Don’t feel like you need to overhaul your entire lesson plan. Begin with one or two activities that are easy to implement, like a math choice board. These are perfect for combining review and practice while keeping students engaged.
  • Look for Versatility: Choose resources that can be used across different topics or skill levels. For example, a game focused on addition can often be adapted for subtraction or multiplication.
  • Focus on Differentiation: Use resources that include options for different learning levels. This ensures every student in your classroom can participate and benefit from the activity.
5 ways to simplify your math prep 1. start small 2. use ready-to-use resources 3. differentiate 4. keep students accountable 5. reclaim your evenings

Take the Next Step

Ready to try low-prep math resources for yourself?

I’ve created a free math choice board that’s perfect for busy teachers like you.

It’s quick to prep, easy to use, and will give you a little breathing room in your week.

Grab it below:

If you’re ready for even more support, my full-year choice board bundle has everything you need to simplify your planning for the entire year.

You can explore this bundle and more low-prep math resources in my TPT store.

You Don’t Have to Do It All

Teaching is hard, and the demands on your time can feel endless.

But you don’t have to do it all alone.

Low-prep math resources can help you simplify your planning, keep your students engaged, and most importantly, give you back your time.

Take the first step today.

Reclaim your evenings and make math prep manageable.

Let me help you make teaching just a little bit easier.

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