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How to Use Real World Math to Engage Students and Provide Meaning

November 6, 2023 No Comments

Have you ever heard the term “real world math” and wondered what that even means? And even more, why must we make it a part of our math instruction? Well, you’re not alone. It is a broad term that seems to encompass so many things. Let’s explain what it means, why it matters, and ideas for incorporating it into your classroom.

Here are some easy to use ideas on how to use real world math to engage students in your math class.

What is real world math?

Real-world math can be explained by applying math concepts to authentic scenarios. Students can learn, practice, and assess their knowledge of math skills in these real-life contexts. 

An easy example of real-world math is baking. To bake cookies, one needs to use and understand fractions.

Another example is finding the perimeter of a building. To plan a new building, a person must understand the concept of perimeter.

Real-world math shows students how to apply math skills and concepts to everyday tasks. This leads us to our next question: Why does that matter?

Why does using real world math matter?

Real-world math matters for many reasons, the number one being that it provides relevance to students’ math skills. 

Have you ever been asked, “Why must I learn this? When will I ever use this in the real world?” I mean, who hasn’t heard that question?!

Students (and adults) want to spend their energy on things that matter, things that they know they will use in the future. Real-world math practice provides that relevance.

Many times, we teach math skills in isolation. To build off the perimeter example above, we may give students a worksheet with rectangles and ask them to find the perimeter of each shape. There’s nothing wrong with that; it provides the needed math skill practice.

But what if we challenge them where they need to find the perimeter of a set of buildings before they can design their own? We have now raised the math skill’s interest level, buy-in, and relevancy.  

Teaching real-world math skills provides meaningful problem-solving skills to apply to various real-world scenarios. 

It simply is a must in our math instruction. But what does that look like?

Incorporating real-world math into your classroom

Real world math can be incorporated into instruction, student practice, and assessment. Here are some ideas…

Real world problem solving

Let’s make it simple! Please provide some relevance around any math concept and let students problem-solve to figure it out.

For example, instead of saying 25 divided by 5, tell students you have 25 cookies you want to divide among five people. I’m sure they’ll work hard to figure it out because they want to ensure they get an equal number of cookies. This simple change provides relevancy and interest to your students.

Give students real numbers to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Shopping ads or catalogs are perfect for this.

Provide students with a budget and tell them to go shopping. This will allow students to see how math is used in the world around them and teach them a necessary life skill.

Hands-on activities

Students always love to get their hands dirty, so let them! 

Bake some brownies together and put those fractions skills to work. 

Use blocks to explore concepts of area and perimeter. 

Go cross-curricular and use maps to explore place value. Help students discover that place value matters when traveling 10 miles rather than 100 miles. 

Allow students to explore how math is used all around them.

Math Projects

Sometimes, finding real-world applications of specific math concepts can be more challenging. It is not as easy as just giving students some blocks or ads. That is where math projects can be a great resource to add to your toolbelt.

Project-based learning gives students a question or problem that they need to work to solve. They tend to be open-ended and require students to use various skills beyond math. They are a great option when you are looking to explore a math topic or concept.

But maybe you need something a little more focused. Or even something that you can use as an assessment tool. Some real world math projects can provide real-world scenarios for students with a right or wrong answer.

Math City is a set of real-world math projects that practice grade-level standards. They are interactive and engaging for students.

Take the Math City Farm, for example. This activity practices numerical patterns in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade standards. 

How often does the farmer need to feed his pig? 

Look at the input-output chart and see how many pounds of berries are in each package.

How many total ears of corn will grow in a crop of corn that has three rows with five plants?

Use the Math City Farm as a real world math project in your classroom.

All these real-world questions require students to use their algebraic thinking and operations skills. This math project provides meaning and engagement to students as they practice new math skills.

The best part about Math City is that there are projects for all standards, so students can see how all the math they are learning this year can be used in the real world.

Are you practicing place value? Take a look at the Math City Bank. What about measurement conversions? The Math City Bakery is whole of them! And those weird geometry standards? Go to Math City Park and see how shapes and figures surround us.

Math City projects are real world math made easy. They are engaging, provide relevance, and encourage students to develop problem-solving skills they will use throughout their lives.

Complete all the Math City real world math projects and show students how math is used in the real world everyday.

Grab this free place value and computation differentiation toolkit, making differentiating math projects even easier!

You see, using real-world math doesn’t have to be complicated or special. It can be as simple as providing context around a math skill or problem. 

However, the effects of using this teaching practice are significant. You will see improved engagement in your students, more vital problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of new math concepts. So go ahead and give it a try. It just might revolutionize your math instruction.

Amanda Stitt

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I’m a mom, military spouse, and teacher trying to find the elusive balance of everything going on in life. I am passionate about helping teachers feel supported and equipped to meet the needs of their unique learners. Thanks for stopping by and let’s start teaching together! Read More

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