the Structures of Equality book is now available!

Practical Ideas for Elementary Math Teachers

Classroom-tested strategies for word problems, number sense, and making math meaningful.

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Learn how the Repeated Equal Groups (REG) structure builds comprehension, connects visuals to meaning, and supports confident problem-solving.

October 1, 2025

What Are Repeated Equal Groups? 

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After three years with Structures of Equality, fourth grade teacher Jasmin isn’t just trying it out, she’s all in. Her story offers insight into what changes when comprehension leads and scaffolds support real thinking.

September 10, 2025

Three Years In: A Teacher’s Journey with SoE

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Productive struggle isn’t about frustration. It’s about giving students the right kind of challenge, paired with structure and support, so they can reason, make sense of problems, and build confidence.

September 3, 2025

Why Productive Struggle Matters and What It Looks Like in Math

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The Parts Equal Total structure isn’t a shortcut for solving; it’s a way to understand what’s happening in the story. This blog explores how PET supports comprehension from the earliest grades through more complex problems.

August 20, 2025

Why Parts Equal Total Isn’t Just Addition or Subtraction

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Explore how early math routines help students understand that numbers are composed of other numbers: a foundational idea that supports place value, fractions, and meaningful problem solving.

August 6, 2025

Numbers Are Composed of Other Numbers

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We tell students that adding makes numbers bigger and subtracting makes them smaller, but even in kindergarten, we see examples that don’t fit.

July 23, 2025

Misconceptions About Addition and Subtraction

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Subtraction isn’t about taking something away. It’s about making sense of relationships. See why “take away” leads to misconceptions and how to shift your language.

July 9, 2025

Subtraction Does Not Mean “Take Away”

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“Equal” doesn’t just mean “the same.” Let’s unpack what equal really means in early math, and how to help students make sense of it using concrete experiences, representational models, and clear language.

June 25, 2025

More Than ‘the Same’: How Do You Explain Equal?

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A reflection on how Pam Seda’s work validates my mission to bring equity, comprehension, and deep thinking into math classrooms.

June 11, 2025

A Shared Language of Equity: How Pam Seda’s Work Affirms the Vision Behind Structures of Equality

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Math anxiety can create real barriers for students. Learn research-backed strategies to help your students feel more confident, supported, and successful in math.

May 28, 2025

What To Do About Math Anxiety: Practical Strategies 

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Math anxiety is more than nervousness before a test. It’s a persistent fear of engaging with math. Learn how recognizing it can change your classroom culture.

May 27, 2025

What Is Math Anxiety?

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Just because a student can’t calculate fluently doesn’t mean they can’t think deeply. Let’s dismantle gatekeeping and open access to rich, meaningful math for all students.

May 14, 2025

Gatekeeping: Why Calculation Shouldn’t Block Access to Rich Math Content