Creating a Hook: Making Math Relevant and Fun

By Tessa Henry, Supervising Editor—Math Editorial

Capturing students’ attention can be one of a teacher’s greatest challenges. And in math, that challenge can feel even tougher. Too often, students get the message that math isn’t something they should like, or at least they shouldn’t admit to liking it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Six Red Marbles, we are always focused on creating engaging moments for students as we develop content. Here are some practical ideas to spark curiosity—strategies to help show students that math is not just numbers on a page, but rather a powerful tool for problem-solving, creativity, and discovery.

Meet Students Where They Are

No two students are the same. What makes one student say “Wow!” might make another say “meh.” The trick is connecting math to the things they already care about. By taking their interests into account, you can turn curiosity into discovery and help each student see where math might lead them someday. Here are some ways to bring a wide range of interests into the classroom:

Artists

Students who like art can find a lot to love in math. Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer used proportion, perspective, and geometric figures to infuse their works with mathematics. More recent artists like M. C. Escher, Victor Vasarely, Dorothea Rockburne, Julio Le Parc, and many others have incorporated math into their paintings and sculptures. Encourage artistic students to look at some of these artists for inspiration and create their own mathematical works.

For many students, art can provide an early and meaningful connection to math. With the arrival of graphing calculators, some discovered the joy of creating images such as smiley faces, goldfish, cats, Christmas trees, and more. Today, programs like GeoGebra and Desmos make it possible to create even more detailed mathematical art, with competitions showcasing truly remarkable work. Allowing students time to explore these programs on their own can spark creativity and help them see the artistic side of mathematics.

Fiber arts such as knitting and crochet also use a lot of math, including following charts and patterns, designing patterns, and adjusting patterns for fit. There are existing patterns for geometric shapes and mathematical models as well.

Musicians

Music is also deeply mathematical. Time signatures, the frequencies of notes in chords, and the structures of musical works are all connected to math. Some educators write or sing silly songs to help students remember shapes, formulas, or steps in a process. If that’s you, your songs can be a powerful tool to help math stick in a fun and memorable way.

Readers, Authors, and Poets

Many people think of mathematics and language arts as opposites, but they can complement each other. A great example of this is the classic story The Phantom Tollbooth. Below are some recommendations for math-themed books and stories, with tailored lists for different ages.

One of the most mathematical forms of writing is poetry. Its patterns of rhythm, meter, and rhyme schemes were invented to help people remember long works before writing even existed. In some traditions, even mathematical texts were written in verse, such as in Sanskrit. These features of poetry can be analyzed and represented mathematically. Encourage students to write some mathematical poems, possibly to help them remember some formulas or steps in a problem-solving process.

Sports Fans

Mathematics shows up everywhere in sports, from scoring games and competitions to computing the trajectory of a ball or the spin of a figure skater. There are endless statistics about every aspect of every game and match. Two project ideas are to have students explain how math is used in their favorite sport or use players’ stats to assemble a dream team.

You can also harness students’ competitive side with math competitions inside and outside the classroom, like the Mathematical Olympiad and other math competitions.

History Buffs

The history of mathematics is the history of humankind. Most mathematics was invented by people trying to solve real problems. It’s even thought that written language was developed through a need to accurately count items being traded via shipping. There are many interesting stories about the history of mathematics and mathematicians, from the ancient secrets of the Pythagoreans to President James Garfield’s original proof of the Pythagorean theorem. Consider incorporating some of these into your class, if possible.

Students Motivated by Money

Many high-earning careers rely on math. In fact, nearly every job uses math in some way. One engaging project idea is to have students choose a career that interests them and research how math is used in that field, what the typical salary is, and what education is required. But math isn’t only useful for the future. Some students may want or need to earn money right now, and math can help them. They could tutor other students, get a part-time job that involves math skills, or even start a small business that puts their math know-how to work.

Activists

A lot of students want to make a difference in the world. They might be interested in groups like the Algebra Project, Learning Bridge, or TODOS, an organization that helps people use math to open doors to better careers and better lives. They might want a career where they use math to try to solve some of the world’s problems. No matter what cause is important to them, activists use math to determine the scope of problems, apply for grants and donations, and measure the success of programs.

Students Who Like Math

It’s a common myth that all students hate math. In fact, surveys often find that math is ranked as one of students’ favorite subjects! But just because students like math, that doesn’t mean they can’t get bored. One way to keep math-loving students engaged is to let them explore topics on their own. Math is very much alive, with new discoveries happening all the time—for example, in 2022, two high school students discovered a new way to prove the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry.

Math students might enjoy biopics like Hidden Figures, A Beautiful Mind, or The Man Who Knew Infinity. They might also enjoy short videos like Donald in Mathmagic Land or Powers of Ten, or YouTube channels such as Numberphile and The Action Lab.

Make Your Classroom an Engaging Space

There are many ways to turn your classroom into an inviting place where students are drawn into math. Try displaying posters or models, whether purchased, homemade, or student-created. If allowable, let students paint the ceiling tiles with math-inspired designs, turning the classroom into a canvas for their creativity. Another possibility is to use a corner of the blackboard for a math problem, fun fact, or joke of the day. You can even have students contribute by submitting their own ideas.

Use Hands-On Activities

Hands-on activities may require more time, but they also have a lot of impact. Even a break from the usual routine can leave a long-lasting impression. Tactile experiences such as folding conic sections out of wax paper and building stellated dodecahedrons can help students see and feel the math, deepening understanding by connecting abstract ideas to concrete, hands-on experiences. Probability experiments can be particularly helpful in developing understanding and intuition. Students can make and roll “dice” in different shapes, flip coins, or spin a dreidel.

Try Fun and Games

Many games include some kind of mathematical component. For example, playing cribbage or Yahtzee can help students practice adding and subtracting, finding number combinations, determining probabilities, and more. Most students don’t even realize they are doing math. They just know they are having fun. Consider allowing students to play these types of games after completing required tasks. Games can also be used as an engaging way to review for a test, offering a lively alternative to traditional worksheets.

Explore AI with Care

AI is rapidly evolving, and a growing number of tools are emerging for teachers to explore. These tools can be creative and engaging, though the quality varies, so careful review is key. Consider using word problem generators that let you enter common student interests and topics to create content tailored to your students’ interests. Maybe it would be fun to have your students come up with their own contexts and problems that can be compiled into a class assignment. There are AI tools that support the creation of podcasts and videos. Consider how these tools can be utilized to support assignments and projects. Many AI tools also allow for the creation of games. Changing up the way content is delivered can capture students’ attention and keep them engaged.

Use Your Enthusiasm and Share Your Struggles

One of the greatest affirmations for a teacher is hearing that their passion for math sparked a student’s curiosity. It’s perfectly fine to geek out a little and show your love of math. Think about what drew you to math and why you started teaching. Were there teachers who inspired you? Are there students who inspire you? Draw from that well to show students that math can be cool, fun, and interesting—and also a point of connection.

On the other hand, it can be valuable for students to see that math doesn’t always come naturally. People tend to think there are “math people” who just get it easily, but in reality, everyone faces challenges. When teachers share the obstacles they’ve encountered and how they worked through them, it can encourage students to persevere and tackle their own difficulties with confidence.

Use Success to Build Identity

It’s easy to assume that some students like math because they are good at it. But often, they are good at it because they like it. By giving students opportunities to experience early successes, you can build their confidence as they take on more challenging problems. Focus on building an identity for each student as a mathematician and a problem solver, and don’t forget that you are a mathematician, too!

Be Authentic

Yes, there are teachers who write songs about the quadratic formula to the tune of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” or tell jokes, or throw candy at students who get a right answer, and if that’s your jam, then go for it. But if it’s not, then you don’t have to force it. It’s better to be yourself. Because what students really want is a connection. They want to feel like someone cares about them and really wants them to learn. This is the real hook.

About the Author

Tessa is a Supervising Editor for Six Red Marbles. She has been writing and editing math products from pre-K to calculus for over 25 years, with a particular fondness for geometry. Tessa enjoys spending her free time outdoors hiking, relaxing with a good book, and discovering new live music. She also has a creative side, often unwinding with crochet projects.