Curious Kids in the Math Classroom by Champagne, Zak;

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Curious Kids in the Math Classroom invites elementary teachers to reimagine the math classroom as a space of exploration, and joyful discovery. Rooted in Zak Champagne’s real experiences, this book helps educators cultivate communities of curious kids and create spaces where every child has a meaningful place in the learning.

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What if math class sparked wonder instead of worry? What if every student saw themselves as a curious, capable math learner?

Curious Kids in the Math Classroom invites elementary teachers to reimagine the math classroom as a space of exploration and joyful discovery. Rooted in Zak Champagne’s real classroom experiences, this book helps educators cultivate communities of curious kids and create spaces where every child has a meaningful place in the learning.

Each chapter blends classroom stories with practical strategies (called curiosity practices) designed to center student thinking and elevate curiosity. From embracing open-ended routines to making space for unfinished ideas, the book offers actionable tools that support deep engagement, rich mathematical reasoning, and student voice. Educators will find practical routines and tasks as well as implementation tips to help bring these ideas to life.

Curious Kids in the Math Classroom challenges the traditional view of math class as a place to learn a series of rules to follow and instead celebrates it as a place of wonder, sense making, and curiosity.

Curiosity is at the heart of a meaningful math experience, and every student deserves the opportunity to be genuinely curious in math class!

“We cannot all be students in Mr. Zak’s classroom, which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, we can learn with Mr. Zak and his students by immersing ourselves in his writing in Curious Kids in the Math Classroom. His work is welcoming, warm, caring, and curious. Through countless stories, examples, and resources, Mr. Zak models for us the humility and humanity that will bring out the best in the curious kids we encounter in our own work, and that will bring out the best in us.”

—Christopher Danielson, author of Which One Doesn't Belong?, How Many?, and How Did You Count?

“Reading this text is like chatting with a colleague about what we see and wonder about as we teach. It is a refreshing invitation to wonder alongside learners and teaching colleagues. It positions curiosity as a gift we 'get to' use and challenges us to consider how we might give all learners access to curiosity through practical and intentional teacher habits.”

—Kaneka Turner, Elementary Math Specialist, Reimage LLC

“Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a powerful invitation to rethink how curiosity lives and breathes in mathematics classrooms. Zak challenges educators to recognize that children arrive curious by nature, and that our choices can either nurture that curiosity or shut it down, reminding us that every student, regardless of background or experience, has the ability to wonder. This is a must-read for educators who believe every child can do mathematics and who are willing to trust the long game of sense-making, identity, and joyful learning.”

—Dr. Kristopher J. Childs

“So many students learn to survive math by staying quiet and playing it safe. Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a bold reminder that curiosity is the opposite of fear, and Zak shows us exactly how to access its powerful ability to bring us all back to magic, confidence, and joy in math class!”

—Vanessa Vakharia, author of  Math Therapy™: 5 Steps to Help Your Students Overcome Math Trauma and Build a Better Relationship With Math

“Curious math classes aren't just a happy accident or the work of superheroic teachers. They happen by intent and by design and Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is loaded with strategies to help you create them yourself.”

—Dan Meyer, VP of Teacher Growth, Amplify

“This book is a must read. I felt like I was on Zak’s carpet with him as I read and thought about the importance of listening, creating experiences that provide uncertainty, realizing that curiosity grows from wondering alongside our students, as well as recognizing that curiosity thrives when students have permission to pause, or even walk away from a math problem to think differently about its solution.”

—Francis (Skip) Fennell, PhD.; Hon. DHL, Professor of Education & Graduate and Professional Studies Emeritus, McDaniel College, and Past-President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

“In Curious Kids in the Math Classroom, Zak builds on so many ideas I think about when teaching mathematics. He leverages those ideas to enhance support of students’ curiosity and does so in ways that honor the diversity of students' ideas and their varied ways of participating. You will want to read Curious Kids in the Math Classroom over and over. Ideas for why and how to support curiosity are abundant. You will want to try them and come back and read more.”

—Megan Franke, Professor of Education, UCLA

“Zak has written a book filled with practical ideas for cultivating a community built on curiosity. This book is filled with images and tasks that can help us all take the step we need to begin our curiosity practices and create safe spaces for children to thrive. Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is just the spark we need to become genuinely curious about how to cultivate joyful learning experiences for our students.”

—Deborah Peart Crayton, The Queen Mather

"Education is so much more than sitting and getting - it should spark curiosity as well! Zak does a great job in this book providing stories with practical examples of sparking curiosity in math tasks as well as giving instruction in how to get your students to notice and wonder every day, making math a more approachable subject."

—Howard Hua, Mathematics Lecturer at California State University, Fresno

“Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a timely reminder that powerful math learning begins with curiosity, not compliance. Zak shows what is possible when we give students real choice, lean into uncertainty, and listen closely to their questions so ideas, not answers, drive the work. This book invites teachers to slow down, trust students, and play the long game in ways that truly matter.”

—Graham Fletcher, Math Specialist in Atlanta, GA

“In this book, Zak invites readers into a thoughtfully grounded exploration of how genuine curiosity can transform learning in mathematics classrooms. Through displays of student thinking, classroom vignettes, practical teaching strategies, and reflective questions, this book guides teachers in noticing, nurturing, and celebrating the wonder students bring to learning. The result is a conversational, supportive journey that helps educators make curiosity a lived, daily practice for all students in their own classroom.”

—Kristin Gray, Editor and Contributing Author of Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving K–8

“Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a must for any math teacher looking to bring a new level of engagement into their classroom. Zak shares practical ideas you can use to spark meaningful math discussions, honor student voice, and build classroom cultures that center on curiosity.”

—Mike Flynn

“In Curious Kids in the Math Classroom, Zak Champagne guides us into his delightful classroom, sits on the carpet among his students, and gives a friendly pat to the spot next to him, inviting us to join in as colleagues and thinking partners. I found myself thinking expansively about transforming the culture of math class, pocketing some new-to-me ways to tweak math tasks (such as incorporating cliffhangers and impossibilities!), and picking up sweet bits of language to try out with students, (“What other math can you squeeze out of this task?”). I am grateful for Zak’s accessible and inspiring nudge to tap deeper into curiosity – mine, my colleagues’, and my students’.”

—Tracy Johnston Zager, math coach, co-author of Building Fact Fluency (with Graham Fletcher), and author of Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You’d Had: Ideas and Strategies from Vibrant Classrooms

“Through lively stories as an educator and parent, Zak reminds us of the power of curiosity. He centers children’s brilliance as curious sense-makers and celebrates the gift of hearing and pursuing their questions. This book inspires teachers to foster wonder and wondering alongside students, create classrooms that thrive on genuine and authentic curiosity, and ensure every voice is included, welcomed, and valued.”

—Allison Hintz, Professor, Mathematics Education, University of Washington, co-author of Intentional Talk and Listening

“Curious Kids in the Math Classroom invites educators to teach from who they truly are—honoring their identities, their students, and the communities they build together—while placing curiosity at the center of learning. Through relatable classroom stories and a conversational tone, Zak explores belonging to a caring, welcoming environment where questions, wonder, and risk-taking are encouraged. He offers both an affirmation of teacher individuality and a compelling vision for cultivating curiosity-driven classrooms where students and teachers thrive.”

—Jody Guarino, Senior Lecturer, University of California, Irvine and co-author of Nurturing Math Curiosity with Learners in Grades K-2 and Reigniting Math Curiosity with Learners in Grades 3-5

“Through his conversational writing and welcoming spirit, Zak invites us to join him in curiosity about our students, mathematics, and curiosity itself. He encourages us through his own stories about curious kids, practical strategies, and seven specific components for creating spaces where curiosity can thrive. This is the kind of resource teachers can keep coming back to for inspiration as they continue to foster curiosity in their classrooms.”

—Chepina Rumsey, PhD, Author of  Nurturing Math Curiosity with Learners in Grades K-2 and Reigniting Math Curiosity with Learners in Grades 3-5

Tartalomjegyzék:

1. Building Community and Creating Safe Learning Spaces  2. Fostering Choice and Autonomy  3. Facilitating Math Discussions that Spark Curiosity  4. Listening to, with, and Alongside Students  5. Building Curricular Tasks Around Cliffhangers  6. Creating and Adapting Math Tasks That Spark Curiosity  7. Focusing on Ideas Over Answers  8. Centering Students and Their Humanity