Math Lesson Planning: Where Students Get Stuck and How to Plan for It

The most effective math teachers don't just plan what to teach — they plan for what students will get wrong. Common misconceptions are predictable: students add numerators and denominators separately, confuse area and perimeter, or apply procedures without understanding why they work.

During planning, ask: 'What's the most common mistake students make with this concept?' Then plan a moment in the lesson to surface and address that mistake — before students practice it into a habit.

Error analysis: Show a worked example with a deliberate mistake. 'Where did this student go wrong?' This is more powerful than showing the correct method because it requires understanding, not just imitation.

Multiple representations: Plan to show the concept visually, numerically, and verbally. When students are stuck on the algorithm, the visual model often unlocks understanding.

Strategic practice sequencing: Start with problems that isolate the new skill, then gradually add complexity. Don't jump from the example to the hardest problem — build a bridge.

Math lessons in LessonCraft include common misconception notes, differentiated practice sequences, and checks for understanding designed to catch errors early.