204 pages · 2026
Curious Kids in the Math Classroom
By Zak Champagne
- Published
- August 7, 2026
- Imprint
- Routledge
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- ISBN
- 9781003668947
Overview
About this book
What if math class sparked wonder instead of worry? What if every student saw themselves as a curious, capable math learner?
Curious Kids in the Math Classroom invites elementary teachers to reimagine the math classroom as a space of exploration and joyful discovery. Rooted in Zak Champagne’s real classroom experiences, this book helps educators cultivate communities of curious kids and create spaces where every child has a meaningful place in the learning.
Each chapter blends classroom stories with practical strategies (called curiosity practices) designed to center student thinking and elevate curiosity. From embracing open-ended routines to making space for unfinished ideas, the book offers actionable tools that support deep engagement, rich mathematical reasoning, and student voice. Educators will find practical routines and tasks as well as implementation tips to help bring these ideas to life.
Curious Kids in the Math Classroom challenges the traditional view of math class as a place to learn a series of rules to follow and instead celebrates it as a place of wonder, sense making, and curiosity.
Curiosity is at the heart of a meaningful math experience, and every student deserves the opportunity to be genuinely curious in math class!
Subjects
K-12 Resources
Inside the book
Table of contents
Select a chapter to read its abstract.
ChapterIntroduction
Pages: 12
This introduction defines curiosity as our innate desire to resolve uncertainty. It sets the stage for understanding curiosity as something that can be intentionally nurtured rather than left to chance. Additionally, it defines how equity and social justice work surrounding curiosity is not a one-off. It's central to the work and will be treated accordingly through the book.
Chapter 1Building Community and Creating Safe Learning Spaces
Pages: 24
Curiosity cannot thrive without safety, trust, and a sense of belonging. This chapter explores how teachers can build classroom communities where students feel comfortable taking risks and embracing uncertainty. It highlights small, powerful moves that create conditions for curiosity to grow.
Chapter 2Fostering Choice and Autonomy
Pages: 24
Giving students authentic choice invites them to engage more deeply and follow their mathematical interests. This chapter examines how autonomy provides opportunities for students to be genuinely curious. Readers will learn simple structures that help students pursue the math they are curious about.
Chapter 3Facilitating Math Discussions That Spark Curiosity
Pages: 22
Curiosity flourishes when students have the opportunity to talk, listen, and build on one another's ideas. This chapter reviews the current literature around facilitating mathematical discussions and shows how to structure discussions that center student thinking. Teachers will see how discourse becomes a driver of curiosity when ideas are valued over answers.
Chapter 4Listening to, with, and Alongside Students
Pages: 20
Listening is one of the most powerful tools for cultivating curiosity. This chapter explores what it means for teachers to truly listen to students and how when students feel heard, they dive deep into their curious thoughts. Readers will learn how intentional listening can transform the flow of classroom conversations and support students as developing thinkers.
Chapter 5Building Curricular Tasks Around Cliffhangers
Pages: 20
Some of the richest math tasks are the ones that leave students wanting more. This chapter unpacks the design of cliffhanger tasks, which use the element of surprise to pull curious kids into the mathematical ideas they are engaging with.
Chapter 6Creating and Adapting Math Tasks That Spark Curiosity
Pages: 28
This chapter guides readers through practical strategies for adapting existing curricular materials and designing new tasks that are accessible, engaging, and curiosity rich. Readers will see how small shifts and simple moves in how we adapt and create math tasks can dramatically increase curiosity.
Chapter 7Focusing on Ideas Over Answers
Pages: 18
Curiosity grows when students understand that we view their ideas as powerful sense-making tools. This chapter helps teachers shift classroom culture so that sense making takes center stage. Readers will learn routines and moves that elevate student thinking in ways that spark and sustain curiosity.
Chapter 8Centering Students and Their Humanity
Pages: 10
Classrooms that foster curiosity are not built with a checklist. They are a long-term commitment to practices that evolve over time, across classrooms, and center students and their lived experiences. This chapter shows how educators can sustain the work and cultivate a culture where curiosity remains central year after year.