Megan Reynolds

I am a teacher & designer. Connecting with students & seeing them enjoy learning is my favorite feeling on earth! I hope you enjoy this article!

7th Grade Math Choice Board Tutorial for Teachers

Build your own Math Choice Board for 7th Grade in minutes! Keep kids engaged & learning using these tactics & templates

To use a choice board in your 7th Grade Classroom during Math you will need to create the Mathchoices (there are lots of examples), organize the classroom, and have a goal;

Time-saving, differentiation, and dynamic classroom management are my favorite reasons to use a choice board!

Integrating choices every day you will need to hone in on the best way to apply 7th Grade Math choice boards to your classroom style!

Here are a few ideas and instructions on choices, classroom management and getting buy-in from your7th Graders

Ideas & Examples of Great 7th Grade Math Choices

Fraction Art with Grid Paper

Create art using grid paper by shading squares to represent fractions. Each square is a part of the whole grid. Combine different fractions to make patterns or pictures!

Create Your Own Math Puzzle

Design a math puzzle using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Include at least 3 steps and a secret number. Solve your puzzle to check it!

Math Escape Room Challenge

Solve puzzles using fractions, decimals, & equations to unlock codes & “escape” the room. It’s a fun math adventure! No prior knowledge needed, just your 7th-grade skills.

Geometry Scavenger Hunt

Find & list 10 items: 3D shapes, right angles, parallel lines, circles, and triangles. Sketch each & label with correct terms. Have fun hunting shapes!

Algebraic Expressions Comic Strip

Create a comic where characters find mystery numbers using algebraic expressions. Use +, -, x, ÷, and variables like x or y. Solve puzzles in the story!

Math in Nature: Fibonacci Hunt

Explore nature to find the Fibonacci sequence! Look at flowers, pinecones, or shells for patterns of spirals or petal counts that match the sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…

Decimals in Daily Life Collage

Create a collage showing where you see decimals in real life—prices, measurements, sports scores. Cut out or draw examples from magazines, ads, or photos.

Scale Model Creation with Ratios

Build a mini version of something by using ratios! Measure the real object, then shrink each part equally using math, like making a 1-inch doll from a 6-foot person.

Probability with Playing Cards

Probability with playing cards is like guessing the chance of picking a certain card. If a deck has 52 cards, the chance to pick an ace is 4 out of 52.

Using a Choice Board to Differentiate Math in a 7th Grade Classroom

Keep It Simple

Everyone “teacher & student” should know exactly what they are doing. If you don’t make it even easier!

Differential Instruction vs Saving time?

There is nothing more irritating than “Saving Time” with a Choice Board & ending up with “More work!”. Are you using this to hit standards or save time or both?

"Self Guided" or "instruction-based"?

If you giving out work, should they do it on their own or are these more instructions for each choice?

General rule, if the grade is > 3 there is more work per choice.

FREE Blank Fillable & Custom Choice Board

All ages, all grades where you need 9 grid choice board. Start loving learning again!

How To Manage Your 7th Grade Classroom During Math (With a Choice Board)

I find its easiest to use a big board at the front of the classroom where all students can see the choices then decide what they want to do.

This often will be coming in from a break or transition between subjects.

If you can get all students to know whats expected during a choice activity it becomes one-hundred times easier to manage the class & have everyone know what choices they have!

There are three core steps you have to hit when using a Choice Board;

1) The Set Up
2) The Instruction
3) The Q+A

1) The Set Up

Select your choices, decide on how you are going to use this time in your classroom. Build the choice board

1) The Instruction

Tell the students what they are going to be doing (this becomes easier over time) Simply start with 3 options & move from there.

1) The Q & A

Does anyone have questions? This will help you or the next time. Remember the goal is to make this easier each time!

Why Use A Choice Board?

So, let’s chat about choiceboards and why they’re like the coolest thing ever in your classroom.

Picture this: kiddos bouncing into the room, eyes lighting up because they get to pick their own adventure in learning new words.

It’s like a mini vocab party, and everyone’s invited!

We all have our own jam, right? Some of us are little artists, others are born performers, and some love to get lost in stories. Choice boards are like a buffet of fun learning snacks, so every munchkin finds something tasty that helps the vocab stick!

And here’s the kicker – when the little ones get to steer the ship, they turn into these mini captains of learning. They’re making the calls, and with every choice, they puff up a bit more with confidence. It’s a win-win – they’re learning and feeling like the boss at the same time.

Plus, for us teachers, it’s like having a secret helper in the room. We get to sprinkle in all sorts of activities that match our students’ levels and what makes their hearts tick. It’s like custom-making a learning playlist that gets every kid grooving to the vocab beat. How cool is that?