Let’s be honest, middle schoolers love having choices almost as much as they love asking, “What do I do now?” Which is why this math teacher believes student choice is a huge component of student engagement.
That’s exactly why the use of math choice boards was always one of my favorite go-to tools in my math classroom. They help early finishers stay engaged, allow for a variety of activities, and are a great way to give students choices that actually feel meaningful and promote critical thinking.
And for me? Choice boards are a powerful tool that checks off differentiation, review, and saving your sanity with fast finishers, all at once. Win win win!
They give students the freedom to work at their own pace, practice relevant math concepts, and gives me space to support individual needs without just giving them more “busy work.”
This post breaks down 6 practical ways to use math menus and choice board activities in your classroom, whether you’re teaching 6th grade or Algebra I, this should work for you.
Before we dive any deeper, let’s clear something up: not all choice boards are created equal, and that’s a good thing. There are different types of choice boards, and depending on your lesson goals, you might reach for one type over another.
Here are a few common formats:
Whatever type you choose, the structure gives students a sense of control, which helps with motivation and accountability. And let’s be real—it makes your life a little easier too.
We all have our fast finishers. You know the ones, done in five minutes and suddenly very interested in what’s outside your window. Instead of scrambling to find something last minute, set up a consistent early finisher board that’s ready to go.
Here’s an example of what a general math choice board might include:
Because this will be set up like a tic-tac-toe board, I allow students to choose 3 activities in a row.
Review days can go one of two ways: organized chaos or just… chaos. A math choice board adds enough structure to guide your students but still gives them ownership over their review.
Here’s how I like to use it:
Activities could include:
This format works great for test prep, end-of-unit review, or even a sub day. It meets individual needs while keeping student agency front and center.
Homework doesn’t have to mean passing out the same worksheet to everyone and hoping it gets done. Try a weekly math menu (aka digital choice board) that students can complete at their own pace.
Here’s what that could look like:
Menu items might include:
The range of activities allows for different learning experiences, builds independence, and makes homework feel more meaningful (for them and you).
Choice boards aren’t just for review; they’re also perfect for sparking curiosity at the beginning of a new unit.
Try this:
Sample board:
This works especially well in middle school, where you want to get buy-in without just saying, “Today we’re starting equations!”
When students are ready for more, give them more, without creating extra prep for you. That’s where enrichment choice boards shine.
Try thematic or project-based boards like these:
Then let them choose how to show what they’ve learned:
These types of choice boards are a great option for Genius Hour, independent study, or when your fast finishers are already three steps ahead.
The use of choice boards is a low-prep, high-impact strategy for supporting all the brains in your room, gifted, ELL, SPED, and everyone in between.
Ways to support different learning styles:
Sample supports:
Because when students have a little bit of freedom, they often surprise you with just how much they can do.
Let’s keep it simple. Here’s how to build a great choice board in less than 15 minutes:
Bonus tip: Reuse your best choice board templates throughout the year! Change the tasks, not the structure. Your students will thank you for the consistency.
How many activities should I include? 6 to 9 gives enough variety without being overwhelming.
What if students only pick the easy ones? Build in structure, require one from each row, or assign point values to tasks.
How do I grade them? Rubrics, reflections, peer feedback, or just a completion check. Keep it simple.
Do these work in high school? Yes! Just bump up the rigor and tie it to real-world math.
Can I use them in other subjects? 100%. Choice boards work for science, ELA, social studies, even PE, and art.
What platform works best for digital choice boards? Google Slides, Docs, Canva, or any platform your students already know.
Choice boards are a powerful tool that give students ownership over their learning while helping you stay sane. Whether you’re looking for fast finisher tasks, review tools, or ways to differentiate, the use of choice boards can completely shift the flow of your math block.
Want to test it out? Grab my editable math menus here and customize them to fit the needs of your classroom for your next unit!
Let me know in the comments: I shared a variety of ways for you to use math choice boards, which will you try first?
I’m Asia! I’m all about making middle school math less work for you and more fun for your students. I’ve got tons of ready-to-go activities for grades 6–8 that keep kids engaged while you keep your sanity.
Welcome to my Blog!
I started The Sassy Math Teacher to help teachers like you increase classroom engagement and teach middle school math with confidence!
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