Practice Guide for Teachers of Multilingual Math Learners in Middle School Classrooms

This practice guide for teachers of multilingual math learners was developed as part of the multiyear, mixed-methods Analysis of Middle School Math Systems (AMS) study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The study aimed to understand the extent to which teachers in four urban school districts plan and execute standards-based, rigorous and culturally responsive mathematics lessons while using one of six different middle school mathematics curricula. This guide shares actionable examples of how teachers can apply culturally responsive math teaching strategies to real middle school math lessons, such as those developed by Illustrative Math. The guide highlights five culturally responsive strategies that were observed in an eighth-grade teacher’s classroom to support her MLLs’ engagement with math. We hope readers of this guide will learn practical ways to use culturally responsive math teaching strategies to better support their MLLs.