Some students make it all the way to third grade looking like they’ve got it. Then multiplication shows up and everything falls apart. Here’s why, and what the gap actually is.

Flat tops and ones-place rules might help kids label numbers as odd or even, but they miss the why. This post shows how to build deeper understanding using the Compare structure and equal group reasoning.

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.

“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.

Teaching K-3 students how to compose and decompose numbers sets the foundation for more complex math. Learn how to use manipulatives, visual representations, and real-life examples to make these concepts stick.

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