Math scores are a key indicator of how well students will perform in both school and life. When KSL noticed that elementary schools in southern Utah were outperforming other districts by more than 15% in math, it sparked their interest.
KSL spoke to educators in the Washington School District who are using a new method that is yielding positive results.
At Red Mountain Elementary School, students are finding a new love for math. When asked about their favorite subject, many students gave unexpected responses. Not only do they enjoy math, but they also feel confident in their ability to do it.
“I heard teachers say that if you understand math, it’s easy and fun for you. That’s what I think,” said Eli Loris, a student at the school.
First-grade teacher Kari Shewmake is behind the new approach, known as “reverse teaching.” She explains that instead of following the usual routine—where the teacher demonstrates, then the class practices—she flips the process. She starts by giving the students a math problem to solve on their own. Afterward, the class comes together to discuss how they solved it.
“It used to be a scripted process. I would do it, then we would do it together, and then the kids would do the math. Now it’s the opposite,” Shewmake said. “We start with a small math task. For example, today’s task is to teach how to put shapes together. I give the kids some shapes and have them do it. Then we come together and talk about what shapes they made and how they fit together. So they’ve done the math before I tell them how to do it.”
The results speak for themselves. Statewide, Acadience test scores show that 67% of first- to third-graders are making on-track progress. In Washington County, that number jumps to 89%. Notably, English learners and special education students are also performing above average, showing that the new approach is benefiting all students.
