Watch Valerie Faulkner connect what students know about composing and decomposing numbers to solve with a Parts Equal Total (PET) structure.

Number stories and fractions can both be challening concepts for students to grasp. With SoE, we can scaffold to support comprehension and make difficult tasks much easier.

There’s a place for both conceptual and procedural knowledge in math classrooms. But I do have one exception to my rule.

The Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) approach in mathematics allows all students to access content and gain deep understanding. Given that many students struggle with comprehension, particularly in number stories, let’s explore how to teach story problems using CRA. One reason students are successful when they use Structures of Equality is because it effectively integrates all […]

What is CRA and what does it look like in early math classrooms? Explore best practices for this approach.

The idea of fewer is a difficult concept to understand. There are lots of reasons why, like you can’t actually see fewer. No wonder it’s a challenging idea for students!

Jasmin, a 4th grade teacher from Durham, NC, shares the highs and lows with implementing Structures of Equality in her classroom. You don’t want to miss this interview.

The idea of acting out a story problem is probably not new to you. For years, I’ve heard people say “Act it out.” But no one ever told me how to solve a story problem this way. Today, we’ll talk about how to use this strategy effectively and how to connect it to the use […]

It’s that time of year. If you haven’t already heard people talking about end-of-the-year standardized tests and math test prep, those conversations will be picking up soon. The most common question I hear is “How can I get my kids ready for the test?” Today we’ll talk about some effective strategies to make sure your […]

What is subitizing? Have you ever noticed how quickly you can recognize the number of fingers someone is holding up? Or how many dots there are on a die? That’s subitizing (soo-bi-tiz-ing)! And it’s a critical foundational skill. This blog will cover everything you need to know about what it is, why it’s important, practical tips […]

Before we ever ask students to solve number stories, there are foundational skills they should have. The critical learning phases can help us identify when they’re ready.

Math and arithmetic are often used interchangeably. But there’s a difference between arithmetic and mathematics. And it impacts our practices in the classroom.