One tool that has transformed how I support students in my 4th and 5th grade math classroom is something I’ve developed called the Math Hint Hub. This simple yet powerful resource has made a huge impact on both student learning and classroom management.
What is the Math Hint Hub?
The Math Hint Hub is a designated area in my classroom where students can independently access examples and strategies to help them when they’re stuck on a math problem. It includes a quick step-by-step guides for key topics we cover or have covered in previous grades, like equivalent fractions, multiplying fractions, or finding the volume of a rectangular prism.
The idea behind the Math Hint Hub is to give students a place to turn when they need a quick reminder or clarification without always needing to raise their hand and wait for me. This allows them to take ownership of their learning, review concepts, and get unstuck—often on their own.
Should I Put All of The Cards Up at the Beginning of the Year?
One thing that I found very important was to NOT put all of the hints up at the beginning of the year. I didn’t want to overwhelm my students when I was teaching them how to use the Math Hint Hub. I teach 4th and 5th grade, so I started the year with a few hints up that are for skills that my students already learned in previous graded (example: area, perimeter, what is multiplication, what is division, equivalent fractions, etc.) Having only a small number of hints up when I taught them how to use it, as not to overwhelm them.
How do I Teach Students to Use It?
We need to teach our students how to use the Math Hint Hub, just like any other routine that we teach at the start of the year. We need to teach our students how to be independent, and using tools when you are stuck is a huge part of that. I make sure that in my first few weeks, my menu items are skills that I have already put in the Math Hint Hub. That way, they have a chance to use them.
Everyone Forgets!
Forgetting is a part of learning. I want to make forgetting and needing help normal in my classroom. I have posters in my room with all of the things they can do if they are stuck or forget how to do something. The Math Hint Hub is one of them. Normalizing getting help when you need it, from a friend or from something in the room, has increased my students independence because they don’t feel embarrassed when they get the help.
The Hints
The Math Hint Hub is just that – a place for hints, or examples. The cards are not meant to teach them the skill for the first time. I put the cards up AFTER we have learned the skill, not before. This also helps so that by the time there are a lot of cards up, kids don’t feel overwhelmed because they have practiced using it so much.
Conclusion
Implementing a Math Hint Hub has been one of the most effective strategies I’ve used in my 4th and 5th grade math classroom this year. It normalized that you don’t need to be embarrassed when you need help. It empowered students to take control of their learning. For any educator who is looking to foster a math community in their classroom while also creating a more efficient and supportive learning environment, I highly recommend giving Math Hint Hub a try.
Resources
4th-5th Grade Math Hint Hub Bundle
Adhesive Pockets (affiliate link):
