Using Pear Deck in K-12 Math Classrooms

Imagine a math classroom where students are actively engaged, technology is seamlessly integrated, and learning is both interactive and enjoyable. As an educator, I've always strived to create this dynamic learning environment for my students, and one invaluable tool that has helped me achieve this goal is Pear Deck. In this blog, I'll share practical insights and tips on how to harness the power of Pear Deck to transform K-12 math classrooms into vibrant spaces of mathematical exploration and understanding.

Here are some suggestions for getting started with Pear Deck in your math class.

Browse the premade math templates

Pear Deck has several premade math templates that range from identifying geometric shapes, to “what doesn’t belong,” to solving equations, to even a neat Desmos mapper function. A personal favorite of mine is the graphing template, which was so wonderful to use when I taught linear and non-linear relationships. I am also a fan of the number line template and used this heavily when I taught the upper elementary grades. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a template that resonates with you and your math content area.

Don’t be afraid to browse the other templates

You don’t just have to stick to the math templates — there is great merit in checking out what some of the other templates have to offer! I am a big fan of using the ELA templates in the following ways:

• Venn Diagrams – e.g., “Compare and contrast concave and convex polygons.”
• Correct the sentence – e.g., “The x axis represents the dependent variable. Correct the sentence.”
• The science templates for claim, evidence, and reasoning (for number sense and mathematical thinking)
• The critical thinking templates for explaining point of view

Pear Deck also has wonderful all-purpose templates for the beginning, middle, and end of lessons.

Use Pear Deck as a way to collect feedback on math concepts, lessons, and activities

Another great way to use Pear Deck in math class is for a live feedback session. Via Pear Deck’s template library, you can check in with students for a stress check on a lesson/activity so you can modify or adjust your instruction to meet the needs of your students. Or, if you would like feedback on a homework assignment, you can ask students to gauge how simple or difficult they thought the activity was. This is a responsive way to see what other supports your students may need in order to complete their work and understand the math concepts in your course.

There’s no doubt technology can help provide dynamic learning experiences for students, and its incorporation in math classrooms can help make content more engaging for students.

To use Pear Deck for your own math lessons, get your copy of these templates for math and ELA! Browse the Pear Deck Orchard for more free, ready-to-teach templates.