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In elementary schools today, improving student achievement – especially in math – is a pressing concern. Across the country, administrators and educators are facing a troubling challenge: standardized test scores in both math and reading have not recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
While several factors contribute to this trend, low student engagement in math stands out as a key issue.
When students aren’t actively participating in their lessons, particularly in math, they may struggle to stay interested and motivated to understand core concepts. As a result, they won’t perform well on assessments.
So, how can schools reignite enthusiasm and boost performance in math? Many are turning to supplemental math curriculums that support and enhance traditional instruction.
Hands-on, kinesthetic teaching methods are effective student engagement strategies. They enable students to move, collaborate, and play while learning. When integrated into an elementary math curriculum, these methods can make math feel more accessible, meaningful, and fun.
Discover how to build the best math curriculum for elementary students with movement-based strategies that will boost student engagement in math.
Despite having a structured math core curriculum in place, many students continue to struggle with grade-level concepts. So what’s missing?
Evidence suggests that student engagement in math plays a critical role. When students feel disconnected from the material or bored by routine instruction, they are less likely to participate meaningfully or perform well on tests.
A 2022 review analyzed over 100 research articles spanning a 35-year period. The findings were clear: consistent support from teachers, peers, and parents can significantly boost student engagement (Martins et al., 2022). The review also confirmed that student engagement is strongly tied to academic achievement across multiple studies.
In other words, if schools want to raise math scores, they must prioritize how students feel about learning, not just what’s being taught.
Concerningly, a 2006 study found that 70% of high school dropouts blamed a lack of motivation for leaving school (Civic Enterprises). Many students cited boredom and a sense that school lacked relevance – clear warning signs that can begin in the early grades if student engagement is overlooked.
More recently, a 2023 longitudinal study published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology confirmed that disengaged math students show declining performance over time – highlighting the urgent need for proactive engagement strategies in elementary classrooms.
Even comprehensive elementary math curriculums can fall short if learners aren’t actively engaged. A math curriculum may check every box for standards alignment, but without interest and motivation, students can still fall behind.
That’s why many administrators are adding a supplemental math curriculum to bring energy and variety into the school day. These programs introduce movement-based, hands-on, and collaborative learning experiences that help students make personal connections to math.
One 2004 study on mastery motivation in early elementary students found that children with higher motivation levels earned significantly better math and reading grades (Broussard & Garrison).
Another major review from the Center on Education Policy (2012) linked motivation to improved academic performance, greater conceptual understanding, and even higher graduation rates.
Furthermore, research from the National Training Laboratories suggests learners retain up to 75% of information when actively participating in a task, compared to only 10% through passive methods like reading or listening to lectures.
The best math curriculum for elementary students considers their engagement and motivation levels. Reenergizing instruction sets students up for long-term academic and occupational success.
So we know that student engagement strategies are important, but what methods actually work to engage students in math?
A 2017 study found that integrating physical activity into math instruction significantly increased students’ enjoyment and engagement – without compromising the quality of learning (Riley, et al.).
Another 2024 study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, found that incorporating fundamental movement skills into kindergarten math lessons improved both physical activity levels and mathematical proficiency. These findings confirm what many educators already know: when children move, they learn better.
By combining a strong elementary math curriculum with movement-based, student-centered learning tools, educators can unlock the full potential of every learner—boosting comprehension, motivation, and performance.
To address the growing need for improved math performance, many schools are turning to Math & Movement – our innovative, hands-on supplemental math curriculum designed to maximize engagement and achievement.
Our program blends academic content with physical activity, creating an immersive, kinesthetic learning experience that keeps students focused, energized, and excited about math.
In fact, a 2023 large-population study found that students who participated in Math & Movement demonstrated statistically significant improvement in math learning outcomes compared to those participating in traditional activities.
Unlike some elementary math curriculums that rely heavily on screens or worksheets, Math & Movement taps into the power of kinesthetic instruction. Students jump, hop, and move along colorful floor mats, engage with manipulatives, and apply math concepts through physical exploration. These activities make learning more fun – and more effective.
Movement-based learning not only supports deeper comprehension but also enhances memory retention, which is crucial for achieving long-term academic success. When students are active participants in their learning, they’re more likely to internalize and apply what they’ve learned.
Related Reading: New Way to Teach Math – Movement Works Best!
Math & Movement is not designed to replace your school’s core math program—instead, it acts as a powerful supplement. When integrated into existing lesson plans, it reinforces essential skills while reigniting students’ excitement about learning.
A 2020 review of small-group math enrichment programs found that targeted interventions can significantly enhance early math skills when paired with a strong curriculum. Math & Movement does exactly that.
Whether used during intervention blocks, daily math class, or after-school programs, our resources are tailored to help young learners thrive.
By incorporating Math & Movement into your instructional strategy, you’re not only enriching your elementary math curriculum, but also equipping students with the confidence, skills, and joy they need to succeed.
Want to get started with movement-based learning right now? Enter your email to get our training manual with over 250 active math movements. No materials necessary!
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Related Reading: Exercise Snacks for Kids: Increase Physical Activity in Schools
Across the US, schools are seeing firsthand how a supplemental math curriculum like Math & Movement can transform math instruction. Educators who have integrated the program into their classrooms report a noticeable shift: students are more enthusiastic, more engaged, and more willing to participate in math lessons.
By weaving physical activity and hands-on learning into daily instruction, Math & Movement turns routine math practice into a dynamic, interactive experience that students genuinely look forward to. This boost in motivation is a game-changer – especially in elementary settings where student engagement in math often determines long-term success.
The same 2023 large-population study mentioned earlier also had incredible findings on student engagement in math. The study examined 492 students in grades 3-5 as they participated in an 8-week math intervention. The intervention focused on incorporating kinesthetic learning strategies into multiplication lessons.
Over the eight weeks, the students participated in various movement-based learning activities, including active math movements and jumping on Math & Movement floor mats. Teachers continued to use traditional teaching activities, including whiteboard work, flashcards, and worksheets, along with the new kinesthetic activities.
In conclusion, the data showed a highly significant relationship between the type of activities and the level of student engagement. Movement-based learning activities resulted in greater levels of student engagement compared to traditional activities.
Using Math & Movement in your own school can bring these same benefits. You can develop the best math curriculum for elementary students by including movement-based student engagement strategies.
Want to head deeper into the research and results behind Math & Movement? Explore our Program Data page to see how schools across the US are transforming student achievement with our program.
In today’s elementary classrooms, a strong math curriculum is essential—but it’s only part of the equation. To truly drive student success, schools must go beyond the basics and prioritize something just as critical: student engagement in math.
When students are actively involved in their learning—moving, exploring, and collaborating—math becomes more than numbers on a page. It becomes a meaningful, memorable experience. This is where Math & Movement shines. As a research-based supplemental math curriculum, it brings energy and excitement back to instruction while reinforcing core concepts through kinesthetic strategies proven to improve outcomes.
If your school is seeing signs of disengagement or stagnant test scores, the solution may not be a total curriculum overhaul—it may simply be the right supplement. Math & Movement integrates seamlessly with any elementary math curriculum, helping teachers introduce movement-rich, student-centered lessons that build confidence, strengthen retention, and support whole-child development.
Now is the time to rethink your approach and explore the best math curriculum for elementary success—one that keeps students active, inspired, and ready to learn.
To make math more engaging, focus on interactive and hands-on learning experiences that tap into different learning styles. Movement-based activities, games, manipulatives, and collaborative problem-solving can transform lessons into fun and memorable experiences. Incorporating a supplemental K–5 math curriculum like Math & Movement can boost excitement and help students connect more deeply with math concepts.
The best supplemental math curriculums for K–5 students are those that align with standards, are easy to implement alongside your core curriculum, and prioritize engagement. Math & Movement stands out for its kinesthetic learning approach, combining math practice with physical activity to increase retention and enjoyment.
Effective strategies to improve engagement include:
These approaches help students feel more connected to the learning process and improve outcomes in any elementary math curriculum.
You don’t need to start over to make progress. The key is to enhance your existing curriculum with strategies and tools that increase student engagement. Adding a supplemental math curriculum like Math & Movement allows you to support diverse learners, reinforce concepts in new ways, and boost results –without changing your core program. Small changes in delivery can lead to significant improvements in student confidence and performance.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
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