Doing the Math Together
Productive Struggle Handbook
What is Productive Struggle?
Productive struggle is the process of persevering through challenges to build deeper understanding and resilience in learning. In mathematics, this means embracing problem-solving as a journey rather than focusing solely on the final answer. Research supports the idea that engaging students in productive struggle fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a growth mindset (SanGiovanni et al., 2020).
About the Handbook
The Beginner’s Handbook to Productive Struggle by Broek MacDonald (2025) serves as a practical guide for educators looking to integrate productive struggle into their classrooms. It provides clear strategies for fostering a math-positive culture, designing effective tasks, and supporting students through challenge-based learning. The handbook also includes reflective prompts, real-world examples, and actionable steps for teachers to help students embrace perseverance in mathematical thinking.
Why is Productive Struggle Important?
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM, 2015) emphasizes that productive struggle enhances mathematical learning by:
Encouraging students to persist through challenges.
Building confidence in problem-solving.
Promoting creativity and flexible thinking.
Shifting the focus from rote memorization to conceptual understanding.
How to Use This Resource
This handbook offers insights into:
✔ Identifying productive vs. unproductive struggle.
✔ Strategies for fostering a classroom culture that supports perseverance.
✔ Scaffolding techniques to guide student thinking without removing the challenge.
✔ Reflection prompts to deepen both student and teacher learning.
📖 Download the Handbook
Educators can access the Beginner’s Handbook to Productive Struggle to implement these strategies in their classrooms and promote a more resilient mathematical mindset.
