Know your students before setting unrealistic expectations for them. Take the time to not only learn their names, but also to learn what their strengths and weaknesses are, such as basic arithmetic, word problems, or terms that do not clearly specify which math operation should be performed. Use what you learn to identify students who may have attention or behavioral problems or learning disabilities.
Take the time before class starts to get organized for the day. Students in elementary school will benefit from having clearly defined objectives on the board, and this can also help students in math keep focus of what is really important to learn in subjects like long division or pre-algebra when they are not sure how it would apply to real life. List enough activities or assessments to take up the whole time period.
Keep a consistent order to your math classes. This may mean that every day starts with a simple arithmetic problem to get everyone in their seats and ready to learn, playing a math game during computer time on a specific day of the week, or providing some sort of assessment in the last ten minutes of every math class to ensure your students are on track with the material.
Establish rules for everything from working in pairs to using objects like dry-erase boards, math manipulatives like hundreds or counting blocks, behavior, and using computers or calculators. Elementary school students will appreciate your efforts to spell out the expectations and let them know what the consequences for not following the rules will be. Do not hesitate to create consequences for students who misbehave or use improperly objects reserved for instruction.
Involve your students in the lessons to not only hold their attention, but also to ensure they are understanding the material. Use white boards and markers to assess their understanding of a lesson on equations, or give definitions from a math vocabulary list and instruct them to write the corresponding word. Pass out digit cards and have students hold up the digits that represent the answer to an arithmetic problem. Let them discuss among themselves what the answer to a word problem should be.