Problem Structures for Addition & Subtraction
Quick pop quiz. How many problem structures are there for addition and subtraction problems? If you said somewhere around 15 structures, you’re in the right ballpark. Unfortunately, students are often…
Instructional Strategies
Think-Write-Pair-Share
Today I have a little twist on the Think-Pair-Share strategy. When using Think-Pair-Share, you pose a question to the class, give them a minute to think about it without talking,…
De-emphasizing Speed in Math
I recently spoke to the mother of a 1st-grade student who told her mom that she was bad at math because everyone in the class could answer so much more…
Making Sense of Math
Math should make sense. It’s a relatively simple statement, yet for many, it’s the stuff of dreams. I know that as a child growing up, math certainly did not make…
Encouraging Student Self-Reflection
When I was a campus-based interventionist, we picked up and dropped off our students each day, giving me a few extra minutes with my students as I walked them back…
Guiding Questions: Moving Beyond Right and Wrong Answers
There’s been a big shift in math education—from memorizing procedures to building deep conceptual understanding. But how do we get there? One powerful way is by asking the right questions….
Remediate the Skill, Not the Standard
You’ve got your data in hand, and now you’re ready to remediate. How do you start? Of course narrowing it down by standard is your first step. You see that…
Using Data to Plan Effective Math Remediation
Let’s face it—data is everywhere. In a school setting, the data that drives our instruction comes from assessments, which we usually classify as either formative or summative. Typically, we define…
Direct Instruction…Do We Need It?
I thought that title would get your attention! Now just hear me out. I want you to consider that there is really very little in math that students must learn through…
