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 heartbeat of a meaningful math experience, and every student deserves the opportunity to be genuinely curious in math class! “We cannot all be students in Mr. Zak’s classroom, which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, we can learn with Mr. Zak and his students by immersing ourselves in his writing in Curious Kids in the Math Classroom . His work is welcoming, warm, caring, and curious. Through countless stories, examples, and resources, Mr. Zak models for us the humility and humanity that will bring out the best in the curious kids we encounter in our own work, and that will bring out the best in us.” ―Christopher Danielson, author of Which One Doesn't Belong?, How Many?, and How Did You Count? “Reading this text is like chatting with a colleague about what we see and wonder about as we teach. It is a refreshing invitation to wonder alongside learners and teaching colleagues. It positions curiosity as a gift we 'get to' use and challenges us to consider how we might give all learners access to curiosity through practical and intentional teacher habits.” ―Kaneka Turner, Elementary Math Specialist, Reimage LLC “ Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a powerful invitation to rethink how curiosity lives and breathes in mathematics classrooms. Zak challenges educators to recognize that children arrive curious by nature, and that our choices can either nurture that curiosity or shut it down, reminding us that every student, regardless of background or experience, has the ability to wonder. This is a must-read for educators who believe every child can do mathematics and who are willing to trust the long game of sense-making, identity, and joyful learning.” ―Dr. Kristopher J. Childs “So many students learn to survive math by staying quiet and playing it safe. Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is a bold reminder that curiosity is the opposite of fear, and Zak shows us exactly how to access its powerful ability to bring us all back to magic, confidence, and joy in math class!” ―Vanessa Vakharia , author of Math Therapy™: 5 Steps to Help Your Students Overcome Math Trauma and Build a Better Relationship With Math “Curious math classes aren't just a happy accident or the work of superheroic teachers. They happen by intent and by design and Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is loaded with strategies to help you create them yourself.” ―Dan Meyer, VP of Teacher Growth, Amplify “This book is a must read. I felt like I was on Zak’s carpet with him as I read and thought about the importance of listening, creating experiences that provide uncertainty, realizing that curiosity grows from wondering alongside our students, as well as recognizing that curiosity thrives when students have permission to pause, or even walk away from a math problem to think differently about its solution.” ―Francis (Skip) Fennell, PhD.; Hon. DHL , Professor of Education & Graduate and Professional Studies Emeritus, McDaniel College, and Past-President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) “In Curious Kids in the Math Classroom , Zak builds on so many ideas I think about when teaching mathematics. He leverages those ideas to enhance support of students’ curiosity and does so in ways that honor the diversity of students' ideas and their varied ways of participating. You will want to read Curious Kids in the Math Classroom over and over. Ideas for why and how to support curiosity are abundant. You will want to try them and come back and read more.” ―Megan Franke, Professor of Education, UCLA “Zak has written a book filled with practical ideas for cultivating a community built on curiosity. This book is filled with images and tasks that can help us all take the step we need to begin our curiosity practices and create safe spaces for children to thrive. Curious Kids in the Math Classroom is just the spark