The questions we ask during word problems shape how students think about math. Here’s what to ask instead and why it changes everything.

Most teachers ask the same questions during word problems: “What operation do we use?” or “Are there any keywords?” These questions feel helpful. But what if they’re pulling students away from the very understanding we’re trying to build?

A resource for caregivers to help their child make sense of math word problems. Learn how to spot the math main idea and support understanding at home.

CGI teaches students to think, not just memorize, but what if there’s one key piece missing? Learn one small shift for a huge impact. (And no, you don’t have to abandon your CGI problems!)

This post explores how to select or adapt number stories that invite sense-making, honor students’ experiences, and align with instructional goals.

Fractions confuse students not because they can’t calculate but because they don’t truly understand what fractions represent. This article unpacks the most common fraction misconceptions, why they occur, and how teachers can shift from rules to reasoning with stories, visuals, and models.

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.

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.

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

Many students struggle with math not because of computation, but because they don’t know where to start. Learn how Structures of Equality (SoE) helps students decode word problems and build confidence in problem-solving.

Sometimes it feels like your students are playing a guessing game when it
comes to number stories. Learn how SoE helps them understand and the research that
backs it.

Are your students struggling with the PET structure? Use manipulatives and visual representations to gradually build their confidence and understanding.