The number 24 is in the middle of a circle. There are lines drawn to varying forms of the number that show more sophisticated place value understanding: 2 tens, 4 ones; 24 ones; 1 ten, 14 ones; 20 + 4; 1 tens stick and 14 ones dots

Place value is about more than the position of digits; it’s the foundation of our number system. This blog explores how we can help students think flexibly about numbers.

September 25, 2024

Understanding place value: the key to building number sense

a number line with equal intervals labeled from 1 to 8

Find out why number lines shouldn’t be used until 2nd grade and what to use instead.

August 28, 2024

Why number paths should be used instead of number lines

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 […]

May 8, 2024

CRA and SoE: how to teach story problems

Venn diagram of the concrete, representational, and abstract stages of the CRA framework in math

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

May 1, 2024

Understanding the CRA framework in early math