1st Edition

Cultivating Math Confidence Teaching Strategies to Boost Proficiency in Grades 6-12

By Kristen Smith Copyright 2026
246 Pages 63 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

246 Pages 63 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

246 Pages 63 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

This guidebook helps you tackle roadblocks your students may be facing in their math understanding and confidence. Author, teacher, and instructional coach Kristen Smith brings together dozens of classroom-tested planning and instructional strategies that have shown measurable improvements in student proficiency. Written in an easily replicable format, these practices demonstrate the direct... Read more

Part 1: Instructional Moves that Build Confidence  1. Maximizing Inquiry to Build Confidence  2. A Culture of Belief  3. Norms That Support Confident Math Learners  4. Intentional Response Protocals  5. Constructing Question Arcs  6. Feedback to Fuel Growth  7. Assessment with Insight and Intention  8. The Proficiency Pivot  Part 2: Planning for Proficiency  9. A Lesson Structure that Builds Student Confidence  10. Developing Mastery Through Strategic Practice  11. Remediation and Intervention for Unfinished Learning  12. Using Assessment Data to Drive Progress  Part 3: Coaching for Confidence and Clarity  13. An Introductin to Coaching  14. Coaching for Clarity  15 Coaching for Confidence    

Biography

Kristen Smith is a Math Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Mentor Teacher and has taught secondary mathematics for the past 16 years at both the middle and high school levels. She is recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and a former Math for America Master Teaching Fellow and Desmos Fellow.

"In this fascinating book, veteran educator Smith takes a somewhat intangible idea—inspiring students to have confidence in their math ability—and makes it concrete, visible and actionable. Wonderfully blending learning science with the hard-won experience of someone who works with teenagers, this book is a must-read for math teachers everywhere."

Holly Korbey, Education Journalist and Editor, The Bell Ringer, USA

"Kristen Smith is a true master at the art of teaching and coaching mathematics. Cultivating Math Confidence bottles that genius into digestible practices that are accessible for all levels of teachers and coaches. It's a must read for anyone wanting to improve mathematics instruction in their schools."

Margaret Marrer, Deputy CAO, KIPP Team and Family, USA