Using words like ‘factors,’ ‘denominators’ and ‘multiples’ may be part of a constellation of good math teaching practices.

Students often struggle to connect math with the real world. Word problems—a combination of words, numbers, and mathematical operations—can be a perfect vehicle to take abstract numbers off the page.

Some of the biggest challenges in teaching math aren’t about the numbers and operations themselves, but students’ attitudes toward them. Getting students to think deeply about problems, persevere ...