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So, you’re excited to bring inquiry-based learning into your math classroom. You love the idea of students exploring, questioning, and developing deep conceptual understanding.
But let’s be real… it’s not always smooth sailing.
Maybe your students freeze up when faced with an open-ended problem. Maybe you’re struggling to manage the chaos of group work. Or perhaps you’re worried about gaps in procedural skills.
You are NOT alone.
Transitioning to inquiry-based math takes a mindset shift—for both you and your students. But with a few strategies in your back pocket, you can navigate the roadblocks and create an engaging, inquiry-rich classroom.
If you’re still wondering how, or even why, to use inquiry based learning in math, read these posts first:
Let’s dive into the most common challenges in inquiry based learning for math teachers, and how to overcome them.
Table of Contents
1. “My Students Just Sit There and Won’t Engage”
You pose an exciting, thought-provoking math problem… and instead of eager participation, you get blank stares.
Sound familiar?
Students who are used to direct instruction often struggle with taking ownership of their learning at first. They’ve spent years being told exactly what to do, and now we’re asking them to think for themselves. That’s a BIG shift.
How to Fix It:
- Start Small – Ease into inquiry with short, low-stakes challenges before diving into full lessons. Even a “Which One Doesn’t Belong?” question can spark thinking.
- Teach Problem-Solving Strategies – Many students don’t know where to start when faced with an open-ended problem. Model strategies like:
- Make a simpler problem (Can we test with smaller numbers first?)
- Look for a pattern (What happens if we try another example?)
- Work backwards (If we knew the answer, how could we get there?)
- Give Thinking Time – Some students process silently before they can discuss. Give them a few minutes of independent think-time before expecting responses.
- Use Sentence Starters – If students don’t know how to explain their thinking, provide prompts like:
- I noticed that…
- One strategy I could try is…
- I’m wondering if…
Over time, students WILL adjust—but it takes patience and persistence!
This article has some interesting insights on student engagement including tips and strategies worth incorporating.
2. “Inquiry Takes Too Long—How Do I Fit It Into My Schedule?”
Inquiry-based math lessons often take longer than traditional lessons because students are exploring, discussing and making connections. But when time is limited, this can feel like a real obstacle.
How to Fix It:
- Prioritize Deep Understanding Over Coverage – It’s tempting to rush through topics, but real learning takes time. Students who deeply understand concepts won’t need as much review later.
- Use Inquiry to Introduce, Not Always Solve – Not every concept needs a full inquiry lesson. Use short inquiry questions to introduce an idea, then follow up with direct instruction where needed.
- Blend Inquiry with Direct Instruction – Some skills (e.g., multiplication facts) require explicit teaching first, followed by inquiry-based applications.
- Make Inquiry a Routine – The more students get used to inquiry, the faster they get at problem-solving. Stick with it!
3. “What If Students Don’t Learn the Right Math Strategies?”
One of the biggest concerns about inquiry-based learning is that students might not discover efficient or accurate strategies on their own.
And you know what? That’s possible. But a strategy is only efficient or accurate if a student understands how to use it effectively. Sometimes what we traditionally consider the most efficient strategy, just doesn’t work for some students.
Some students WILL develop misconceptions or struggle with inefficient methods—but that’s why your role as a teacher is crucial.
How to Fix It:
- Use Guided Inquiry – Inquiry doesn’t mean zero guidance. Give students just enough information to get started, then step in to clarify misunderstandings.
- Follow Up with Explicit Teaching – After students explore, consolidate their learning by teaching formal methods explicitly. This bridges the gap between exploration and mastery.
- Encourage Multiple Strategies, Then Discuss Efficiency – Let students experiment with different approaches, then guide a class discussion on which strategies are most efficient and why.
- Don’t Skip the Consolidation Phase – The biggest learning happens when students reflect on their work. Use this time to:
- Address misconceptions.
- Highlight efficient strategies.
- Connect their discoveries to formal math concepts.
4. “Managing Group Work Feels Like Chaos”
Inquiry-based math often involves partner or group work, but keeping students on task can be a challenge.
How to Fix It:
- Teach Group Norms Explicitly – Don’t assume students know how to collaborate. Teach and model how to listen, take turns, and build on each other’s ideas.
- Use Structured Roles – Assign roles like:
- The Questioner – Asks, “What do we know? What do we need to find out?”
- The Recorder – Writes down ideas and solutions.
- The Explainer – Presents the group’s thinking.
- Use Partner Work First – If full-group discussions get out of hand, start with think-pair-share before transitioning to larger groups.
- Walk the Room & Redirect – Instead of staying at the front, move around to keep students engaged and intervene where needed.
5. “How Do I Assess Inquiry-Based Math?”
If you’re used to marking right/wrong answers, assessing inquiry-based learning in math can feel unclear.
How to Fix It:
- Observe, Don’t Just Grade – Pay attention to how students approach problems, not just whether they get the right answer.
- Use Math Journals – Have students explain their thinking in writing—this gives you a window into their understanding.
- Assess During Consolidation – Use class discussions to gauge who understands the concept and who needs more support.
- Try Self & Peer Assessment – Have students reflect on their own learning:
- What strategy worked best for me?
- What was most challenging?
- What will I do differently next time?
For a deeper dive into assessment, read this post covering 6 proven strategies for assessment in inquiry-based learning in math.
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Overcoming Challenges of Inquiry Based Learning in Math
Switching to inquiry-based learning isn’t always easy, but the payoff is worth it.
If students aren’t engaging yet—keep going. If lessons feel slow—trust the process. If things get messy—embrace the learning that happens in the struggle.
The key is balance. Use structured inquiry, explicit teaching, and strategic assessment to make inquiry work for YOU and YOUR students.
Have you faced any challenges of inquiry-based learning? Or got questions? Let me know in the comments below!
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