Think about how you learned math… and the ways that you teach math to young learners. How can you help set up your students for future success in mathematics starting in the early grades? Children are interested in math well before they start school – they notice basic shapes, construct simple patterns, and learn to count. Early numeracy serves as the gatekeeper for higher level mathematics. Using evidence-based practices to capitalize on children’s natural interest in math can help build the foundation for future mathematics success. In this course, you will learn about developmental progression of math skills and concepts, evidence-based strategies for teaching math to young children (and how to implement them!), and how to support students with mathematics difficulties.
By the end of this course, learners will:
- Understand developmental math progressions and how they impact the teaching of mathematics to young learners.
- Increase capacity for supporting young learners with math difficulties.
- Design learning activities that implement evidence-based practices for early numeracy into daily classroom routines and lessons.
Intended Audiences
K-12 Educators (K-3 general and special education); Early Learning Providers
Course Type
Self-Paced
Recommended # of PLUs
3 PLUs
In this course, you will learn about a research-based math strategy you can implement in your classroom to boost students’ mental math skills and develop their flexibility, accuracy and efficiency when solving math problems. This course will introduce you to the major components of a number talk and suggest ways of using number talks in your classroom, including as a formative assessment method so you start integrating this powerful strategy in your teaching practice today.
Course Objectives:
- Describe how number talks promote student understanding of mathematics
- Identify the major components of a number talk
- Plan for supports needed for struggling students
- Identify ways you can use number talks for formative assessment
- Apply the number talks strategy in your classroom
Intended Audiences
K-12 General Educators, K-12 Special Educators
Course Type
Self-paced
Recommended # of PLUs
1.5 PLUs
Math Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS): Methods for Grades 2-6 was designed for use with students in the elementary grades 2-6 and supports students development and mastery of key calculation concepts and applications representing the curriculum from grades 2-6. In PALS Math students work together to learn key concepts and procedures. Designed to supplement your regular classroom instruction, it will give your students a chance to practice what they are learning with a different look, different questions and novel problems. This course will cover the skills of computation for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in addition to key concepts and applications across grades 2-6, including area and perimeter, fractions, money, and ratios and probability and many more. Repeated scientific evaluations of PALS Math indicate that high-achieving, average-achieving and low-achieving students, as well as students with disabilities, make progress in a PALS classroom more than non-PALS classrooms. NOTE: To implement, participants must have a PALS Math program materials, so the course will prompt that process.
Intended Audiences
Grades 2-6 Educators, Interventionists/Specialists, Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Administrators
Course Type
Self-Paced
Recommended # of PLUs
3 PLUs
How can you help all your students succeed in mathematics? Learn about how to integrate the content and practice standards in your instruction to support mathematical rigor and encourage all students to see themselves as math learners.
- Learn about the key shifts in the mathematics standards to emphasize coherence, focus and rigor in math instruction.
- Define what is meant by “rigor” in a mathematics classroom.
- Explore the importance of a growth mindset.
- Gain an understanding of the content and practice standards and how they interact across grade levels.
This course is Part 1 of a two-part series and is designed to establish foundational understanding before moving into Part 2, where participants will dive more deeply into strategies to utilize with learners. Upon completion of all Part 1 course requirements, participants will receive an enrollment key which will allow access to the second course-Core Instruction in the Mathematics Classroom (Part 2): Advanced-Facilitating Deep Mathematical Understanding.
Intended Audiences
K-12 General Educators, K-12 Special Educators
Course Type
Self-Paced
Recommended # of PLUs
2 PLUs
Like what you learned in Core Instruction in the Mathematics Classroom (Part 1): Foundations, but still ask, “What strategies can I use in my classroom to facilitate deep mathematical understanding?” This three-hour course is the second course in a two-part series that builds on the elements learned by diving deeply into the topics introduced in the previous course. You will learn about specific strategies and reflect on specific actions you can take in your classroom to plan instruction for standards alignment and mathematical rigor.
Who should take this course? This course expands on Core Instruction in the Mathematics Classroom (Part 1): Foundations. Take this course if you are interested in more in-depth learning on strategies for improving core mathematics instruction.
- Build on your learning from the first course with strategies you can implement in your math classroom to achieve rigor
- Learn how you can use the domain progressions in planning your mathematics instruction
- Explore how the standards for mathematical practice translate to teacher and student actions in the classroom and the strategies you can use to implement the standards
- Practice using the domains and standards to plan mathematics instruction that considers how students progress across grade levels
Core Instruction in the Mathematics Classroom (Part 1): Foundations is a prerequisite to this course. Once you enroll in that course and complete all required activities, you will unlock the enrollment key which allows you to enroll in this course. Copy and paste the enrollment key when prompted to enroll in this course. If you have any challenges with this process, please contact Michele Walden-Doppke.