Structures in Use
The right answer doesn’t tell you whether a student understands. Student-drawn models do. Here’s what to look for and how to respond
Writing an equation from a Repeated Equal Groups model is possible but only after students understand what the structure is showing. Here’s how to make that connection explicit.
The Compare structure doesn’t just show the relationship; it shows the equation. Here’s how to help students see what’s already there before they write anything down.
Do your students struggle to write equations from models? Here’s how to help them translate.
The questions we ask during word problems shape how students think about math. Here’s what to ask instead and why it changes everything.
Numberless word problems are powerful, but fully removing numbers isn’t always the right move. Learn 4 approaches that keep students focused on the relationship, not the calculation.
Removing the numbers is just the beginning. Learn how to use a 3-day numberless word problem progression to help students slow down and make sense of math stories.
Multiplicative comparisons, stories with scaled relationships, are some of the trickiest problems students face. SoE helps students see the relationship before solving.
When students come across questions like “How many more does Jordan have than Emma?”, the comparison relationship often confuses them. This blog talks about how the Compare structure helps them see the relationship between the values.
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.
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.
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.
