Getting students excited about math practice isn’t always easy, especially when the goal is to move beyond memorization and into deeper mathematical thinking. That’s why teacher Kayla Osbron was excited to try Math Jams with her students and share her review.
Math Jams is a free, 45-minute math event that combines problem-solving, teamwork, and plenty of fun. Designed for students in grades 3–6, Math Jams gives learners the chance to tackle challenges together while building confidence and mathematical reasoning skills.
Working with students in grades 4–6, Kayla quickly saw how the collaborative format transformed the energy in her classroom. Students worked in teams, talked through strategies, encouraged one another through challenging problems, and celebrated each success together. Rather than focusing only on finding the correct answer, Math Jams prompts kids to persevere through productive struggle and engage in meaningful conversations about math.
We spoke with Kayla to learn why she plans to participate in future Math Jams and how the experience supported both student engagement and essential math skills.
How did you use Math Jams with your students?
My classroom is already set up with three tables that I use for small-group instruction, so the setup worked especially well for Math Jams. I had students work at each of the three tables, which naturally created three teams and added a fun element of friendly competition between the groups.
Students joined using the provided code and then worked together to solve the challenges, talking through their strategies and contributing to their team’s score. Having the three tables already established made it easy to transition into the experience, and I loved that the format encouraged collaboration within each table.
How did your students react to Math Jams?
My students were excited by the collaborative nature of Math Jams, especially knowing that they were working as a team and contributing points toward a larger classroom score.
I really enjoyed watching students talk through problems together and encourage one another when they encountered something challenging. The range of difficulty also created opportunities for different students to contribute their strengths, and I saw students willing to take risks and keep working even when they weren’t immediately sure of an answer. It was a great experience seeing some students take natural leadership roles.
Math Jams feels different because the experience centers on students solving math together, rather than simply answering questions individually.
The real value is in the mathematical conversations happening within each team as students discuss strategies, defend their thinking, and work through challenging problems. I also think the nationwide event aspect makes it unique because students aren’t just completing another online activity. Instead, they are participating in a recurring math event alongside classrooms across the country, which gives the experience a real sense of occasion.
Does Math Jams align with specific math skills or curriculum goals?
Math Jams aligns well with a variety of math practices and skills, particularly problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and communicating mathematical ideas.
One of its biggest strengths is that students are practicing how to think mathematically, rather than simply completing a set of computation problems. The team-based format supports students in making sense of problems, persevering when a solution isn’t immediately obvious, explaining their reasoning, and listening to the mathematical thinking of others.
The range of challenge levels also allows students to experience both success and productive struggle, making it a great fit for a wide range of learners in grades 3–6.
How easy was Math Jams to set up and facilitate?
5 out of 5. Very easy.
Math Jams was very easy to set up and facilitate because there was minimal preparation required on my end. Students simply used the provided code to join the experience. Once they were in, I was able to focus my time on facilitating, observing, and listening to their mathematical conversations rather than managing materials or explaining a complicated activity.
The simplicity of the setup combined with the level of student engagement made Math Jams something I could see teachers easily incorporating into their regular classroom routines when a Jam is scheduled.
What are your favorite things about Math Jams?
The two things I like most about Math Jams are the collaboration and the low-prep, high-engagement format.
I love that students had to work through mathematical ideas with one another because they were naturally practicing communication, listening, reasoning, and perseverance rather than working independently on a worksheet. At the same time, it required very little preparation from me, so I could spend my time facilitating student thinking instead of creating materials or managing a complicated activity.
What impact does Math Jams have on students?
What stood out to me most was that the focus wasn’t simply on getting an answer but on problem-solving, logical thinking, communication, and collaboration. It provides a meaningful way to bring excitement and a sense of community into the math classroom. The fact that it is an event that brings together students across the country also adds a level of excitement. Students have an opportunity to come together, challenge themselves, and celebrate math.
Check out Kayla’s video review of Math Jams.
Register for an upcoming Jam.
To try Math Jams in your classroom, just register and start your Jam any time during the event week. Students connect to their class team with a code, so there’s no need to create student accounts or handle logins in advance. Each Jam lasts 45 minutes and can be completed at any time during the event period. Check out upcoming events:
- September 21–27, 2026
- October 19–25, 2026
- November 16–22, 2026
- December 14–20, 2026
- Plus five more monthly events through May 2027
Teacher Picks is a sponsored program available from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.
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