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One month into the school year, my math classroom is buzzing with familiar rhythms: assessments, routines and students still finding their footing.

Like many teachers, I see my fifth graders return from summer break with shaky confidence that can make a multiplication or fraction review feel overwhelming. On average, students lose of their school-year gains in math from the 鈥渟ummer slide,鈥� which adds stress for kids and puts extra pressure on teachers to rebuild foundational skills.

While there鈥檚 no single fix, I鈥檝e found one shift makes a real difference in helping students re-engage with math: treating it like a team sport. Last spring, that approach even helped our Title I school, Sinking Springs Elementary in York, Pennsylvania, win the world鈥檚 largest math competition, the .

We outscored 4.2 million students across 70,000 schools, earning a $100,000 tech grant. We鈥檙e using that money to purchase larger flat screen TVs for all classrooms that allow students to follow along from their seats, an enhanced projector and sound system for events in our cafeteria, and gaming devices like Nintendo Switches and VR headsets for students to check out as a reward.

As you can see in this , my students were rightfully proud of their win 鈥� and, believe me, they worked hard for it. But what mattered more was the strategy and teamwork that made us champions. Encouragement, consistent practice and collaboration toward a common goal can reshape how students learn 鈥� and that鈥檚 why I prioritize team activities and competition in my math lessons all year long.

Of course, teachers may worry that competition will create pressure or leave struggling students behind, especially in math classes where skills vary widely and students need individual support. But that鈥檚 why a 鈥渢eam sport鈥� approach works. When students collaborate toward a common goal, they鈥檙e motivated by how each person鈥檚 effort brings the group closer to a victory.

I saw that firsthand when my class competed in the Prodigy National Cup. During the competition, our entire school of fourth through sixth graders competed against other qualifying elementary and middle schools nationwide to answer as many math questions correctly as possible.

Each correct answer, no matter the grade level or difficulty, counted equally toward our school鈥檚 total points, which meant every student had an opportunity to contribute. Our students correctly answered a total of nearly 730,000 standards-aligned math questions during the two-week period!

For students who may experience fear or anxiety in math class, this model was incredibly motivating. Instead of racing against a timer, they could work on problems tailored to their level at their own pace and see how their participation helped us climb the leaderboard.

Almost immediately, the classroom energy changed. Students who usually complained about math practice were suddenly asking to tackle extra problems in class and for homework. Just as importantly, students were raising their hands with questions more often because they wanted to help our school succeed.

Engagement soared when my class saw how their hard work contributed to something bigger than themselves. However, when kids are involved in some friendly competition, it鈥檚 important to set the stage for a positive, low-stress experience. I鈥檝e seen that when students feel truly supported, they鈥檙e empowered to take risks and stretch beyond their comfort zones in math class.

Here are three strategies that can help make math challenges motivating and meaningful for all learners:

1. Encourage healthy, respectful competition

In any competition, good sportsmanship is essential. Before starting a math challenge, always set expectations with the class: We respect our opponents, celebrate effort and focus on learning just as much as winning.

At my school, we love organizing grade-level competitions. My class might challenge our neighbors to see who can review the most multi-digit multiplication problems in a week. While rooting for our team is part of the fun, we still remember the bigger picture. Every practice problem helps our grade grow together and become stronger mathematicians.

With this mindset, a multiplication challenge can also be a social-emotional lesson. Students strengthen key math skills and model how to support and respect their peers in the process.

2.聽Show the importance of practice

Students often need reminders that consistent practice will help them improve. By turning math lessons into team challenges, practice becomes our daily 鈥渢raining.鈥�

For example, compare your class to a professional sports team. Those athletes don鈥檛 just start training a few weeks before the championship game. They train throughout the year and often go back to the basics to sharpen their skills. Math works the same way. In the first few weeks of school, we may need to warm up with a review of fourth-grade concepts before starting new material.

A huge benefit of game-based learning platforms is that students can track their progress independently as they practice. Each milestone gives them a boost of confidence to keep trying even when problems get more difficult.

3. Celebrate the victories

Don鈥檛 forget to remind students that persistence pays off. When math is a team sport, every person gets to share in the victory.

In my classroom, we celebrate the small wins by clapping for our classmates. If we鈥檙e competing with our neighboring class to practice fractions, we鈥檒l cheer for a student who persevered through a tough problem or mastered a new skill. By recognizing those moments, students remember that a win for one person is also a win for our classroom community.

At the same time, incentives help keep motivation high. It can be as simple as the class earning extra choice time for answering a certain number of math questions. The rewards don鈥檛 have to be elaborate; they just need to build excitement and anticipation for the next challenge.

Many students carry insecurities about their math abilities, and that self-doubt can hold them back. When they see themselves as part of a team, something shifts. Instead of fearing potential mistakes, they focus on helping the group succeed.

From my experience, students who feel inspired by a challenge 鈥� and encouraged by their class community 鈥� will step up with a can-do attitude. In the process, they gain confidence in themselves as growing mathematicians, ready to take on the next problem.

Whether it鈥檚 a national competition or just another Tuesday math block, a shared goal brings new energy into the classroom. Set a class target, and you鈥檒l be shocked at how quickly your most hesitant student raises their hand to ask for five more minutes of practice.

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