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2nd Grade Math Teaching Guide | Activities & Examples

Katie Wickliff — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:55:34 +0000

Key takeaways

Second-grade math focuses on number sense, place value, operations, mental math, geometry, measurement, and money
Academic standards vary by state, district, or school, but the expectations are similar across the country
Second graders love interactive, hands-on learning that allows movement, creativity, and teamwork

In 2nd-grade math, students build fluency with addition and subtraction facts, explore place value, learn standard units of measurement, recognize and work with geometric shapes, and more. While 2nd graders certainly have more academic responsibility than in earlier grades, it’s important to keep math fun. Research consistently shows that students with a positive outlook on math are more confident in their abilities and motivated to keep learning. This 2nd-grade teaching guide takes this seriously, with five engaging activities that reinforce important math skills. We also explore 2nd-grade academic standards and offer practical teaching tips that benefit all learners.

2nd Grade Math Standards

Academic standards outline the concepts and skills students are expected to learn by the end of the school year. While the Common Core initiative sought to create greater consistency across the United States, 2nd grade math standards still vary by state, district, or individual school. Even so, most 2nd-grade math standards address four main topics: operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base 10, measurement and data, and geometry.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Second-grade students learn to use addition and subtraction to solve one or two-step word problems. Using visual representations and other strategies, students begin to understand the relationship between addition and subtraction. Students learn to add and subtract within 20 using mental math strategies. Students begin multiplication by exploring equal groups and determining whether a group has an odd or even number of objects.

Number and Operations in Base 10

In a Base 10 number system, ten digits ranging from 0 to 9 are used to represent any number’s value, depending on their position within the numeral. Second-grade students learn how each place in a three-digit number represents hundreds, tens, and ones. Additionally, they learn to read, write, and count up to 1000 and skip-count by 5s, 10s, and 100s. They use mental math to add or subtract 10 or 100 from any given number.

Measurement and Data

Students learn to measure, estimate, and compare an object’s length using various tools, such as a ruler, yardstick, or tape measure. Second graders also learn to write and tell time to the nearest five minutes on both analog and digital clocks. Students solve money word problems and learn the worth of dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Second graders represent measurement and data results on a line or bar graph.

Geometry

Students recognize and can draw various shapes, such as rectangles, circles, triangles, and pentagons. Students understand that shapes have different attributes, such as a square having four equal sides or a triangle having three angles. Second graders learn to partition shapes and describe the parts using the words halves, thirds, quarters, or fourths.

If you’re looking to strengthen your 2nd grader’s understanding of these important math expectations, DreamBox Math can help! This math program provides adaptive, individualized lessons aligned with every U.S. state’s math standards, so your student can practice the skills that matter most.

Tips for Teaching 2nd Grade Math

Develop Mathematical Thinking

The ability to understand numbers and their relationships is essential for math success. Students who can confidently work with numbers are better able to develop efficient strategies for solving problems, so continuing to focus on number sense is key. One way to help your 2nd graders develop mathematical thinking is to draw pictures or use models to teach a concept, rather than relying on abstract explanations.

Connect New Skills to Prior Learning

Help 2nd graders build confidence by connecting new concepts to skills they’ve already learned. Applying familiar strategies to new topics helps students understand mathematical relationships and is a great way to demonstrate how math builds upon itself.

Build Fluency Through Strategies

Strategies such as making 10, counting on, using number lines, and decomposing numbers into multiples of ten help students solve problems efficiently. Rather than relying on rote memorization, which is difficult for many students, learning strategies help them understand concepts more deeply.

Differentiate

As in earlier grades, 2nd graders arrive in the classroom with varying ability levels and learning styles. Create lesson plans with opportunities for choice, extra scaffolding, and enrichment to meet the needs of every learner.

Play Games

Whether playing dice games, card games, or online games, kids just love the chance to have fun! Using games in the classroom gives students meaningful practice with 2nd-grade math concepts like numbers and operations, telling time, working with money, or understanding shapes.

Give Consistent, Low-Stakes Assessments

Formative assessments allow teachers to assess student progress quickly and correct misunderstandings in real time. Also, asking students to reflect on their learning strengthens critical thinking skills. Examples of formative assessments in 2nd grade include math journals, quick quizzes in which students use whiteboards to display their answers, emoji cards with pictures that match their level of understanding, and exit tickets.

Encourage Math Discussions

Give students time to talk about math with partners, small groups, or the whole class. This can be freeform or pose an open-ended question for students to discuss. Students learn a great deal by listening to their classmates, considering other perspectives, and explaining their own thinking.

Use Math Vocabulary

Simply put, when students learn the proper math vocabulary, they can understand the questions being asked. Teach students important terms such as “digit,” “sum,” “difference,” and “array,” and model their use throughout the day.

Keep Lessons Short and Active

Just like kindergarten and 1st grade, math lessons in 2nd grade should be brief, purposeful, and engaging. Hands-on learning, physical movement, small group activities, and math games keep 2nd graders motivated and engaged.

Cultivate a Positive Math Mindset

When students feel positive about math, they develop the confidence to tackle challenges and take risks. Celebrate progress over perfection and give consistent encouragement. The classroom should be a supportive environment where students feel safe exploring new strategies.

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5 2nd Grade Math Learning Activities

1. Shape Scavenger Hunt

A shape scavenger hunt can be done in the classroom, around the school, or outside. Second graders search for 2D or 3D shapes found in everyday objects. To prepare, create a list of scavenger hunt items that students need to find, with graphics of each shape as a guide. Provide students with a recording sheet for drawing or writing their answers. Students can work individually, in pairs, or compete with one another to see who can find the shapes the fastest. Before handing out the scavenger hunt guide, review shapes and their attributes.

2. Measuring with Washi Tape

This hands-on activity uses decorative paper tape, called “washi tape,” to measure length. The tape is easily removed and repositioned. Before the lesson begins, stick different-length strips of washi tape around the classroom. Label each strip with a number so students can record their answers. Students move around the room, using a ruler to measure each strip of tape in feet and inches and record the length. Extension ideas include estimating the length before measuring, ordering the measurements from least to greatest, or using other tools such as a yardstick or a measuring tape.

3. Place Value Uno

This game uses number cards from a standard Uno deck to help students visualize and practice reading larger numbers. Second graders usually focus on identifying digits in the hundreds, tens, and ones places, but adjust for ability level. Students sit facing their partner, shuffle the cards, and divide them into two even piles. To begin, each player turns over one card from their pile. That card goes into the highest place value spot. Players then flip over a second card and place it in the next place-value spot. Each player reads their number aloud, and the player with the highest number keeps all the cards for that round. If the pair turns over the same number, they can choose to split the cards equally or play a traditional “war.” The player with the most cards at the end wins.

4. Money Matching Activity

This simple activity helps students practice identifying coins and matching coin combinations to written money amounts. To prepare, create a set of cards with differing dollar amounts. For example, one card might show $0.50. Then, create a second set of cards with pictures of coins and bills that match those amounts, such as two quarters. Students work in groups to match the cards and paste the pairs onto a piece of colored paper. This activity helps students practice money skills and makes real-world math connections.

5. Addition/Subtraction Tic Tac Toe

Most kids are familiar with tic-tac-toe, and this game puts a spin on the traditional game. To prepare, create a tic-tac-toe worksheet with several squares, each square with an addition or subtraction problem. Working in pairs, students choose the square they want, but must solve the problem before placing their “X” or “O.” They must also show their work or explain their thinking. This quick, easy game is perfect for fast finishers or filling extra time at the end of the lesson. Students can take a worksheet home to practice their skills with a sibling or parent.

The post 2nd Grade Math Teaching Guide | Activities & Examples appeared first on Discovery Education.

Kindergarten Math: Teaching Guide, Tips & Activities

Katie Wickliff — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:53:10 +0000

Key takeaways

Kindergarten math typically focuses on: counting, place value, shapes, measurement, and geometry.
Developing strong number sense is essential for building early math confidence.
Kindergarteners learn best through brief hands-on activities that encourage movement and exploration.

Kindergarten is often the formal beginning of a child’s math journey, which can feel both exciting and overwhelming for students, parents, and teachers. During this important year, kindergarteners build skills in number recognition, counting, sorting, identifying shapes and patterns, and much more. They also focus on developing number sense, an essential part of future understanding and confidence in math. Math standards outline what kindergarteners should learn, but effective, engaging instruction helps students truly understand important concepts. In this guide, we explore kindergarten math standards, outline several teaching strategies, and share fun, low-prep activities that encourage play and exploration.

Kindergarten Math Standards

Kindergarten math standards can vary according to state, district, or school, but most expectations address five main topics: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in Base 10, measurement and data, and geometry.

Counting and Cardinality

Kindergarten students learn to count to 100 by ones and tens, write numbers from 0–20, and begin to notice the relationship between numbers and quantities. Kindergarteners also learn that the last number in a sequence represents the total, allowing them to answer “how many?” questions. Using matching and counting strategies, kindergarten students will determine if the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in a second group.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

In kindergarten, students learn that addition involves combining numbers, while subtraction involves breaking them down or taking from them. Kindergarteners will learn to add and subtract fluently within 5 and use objects or drawings to solve word problems within 10. They will learn strategies to decompose numbers into pairs in multiple ways.

Place Value Concepts

In kindergarten, students will begin to understand place value. They will use drawings and objects to represent numbers as one group of ten and additional ones. Students connect these objects to numerical symbols and recognize patterns: that the numbers start with 1 (represents 1 ten) and end with the number of additional ones.

Measurement and Data

In kindergarten, students learn to describe the measurable attributes of objects, including length, width, height, and weight. Additionally, students will compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common and describe the difference, such as “heavier” or “lighter.” Kindergarten students also learn to classify objects, count the number of objects in a category, and order categories by number. Doing this helps kindergarteners build a foundation for collecting, representing, and analyzing information.

Geometry

Kindergarten students will learn to correctly identify and describe shapes such as triangles, squares, circles, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres, regardless of orientation or size. They will also notice these shapes in their everyday lives and determine whether the shape is two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Students will analyze and compare shapes by describing their similarities and differences. Kindergarteners will build and draw shapes and combine simple shapes.

Tips for Teaching Kindergarten Math

1. Never Too Early for Number Sense

Strong number sense is the foundation for math development, and it’s never too early for children to understand numbers and their relationships. Kindergarteners develop number sense by using physical objects, called manipulatives, so that they can visualize what numbers actually mean, use 5-frames or 10-frames to show quantities, and count everything to build one-to-one correspondence.

2. Purposeful Play

Kindergarteners learn best through play, and purposeful play keeps kindergarteners excited and focused on learning important skills. Learning centers, games, puzzles, movement, and music allow students to explore while building a solid mathematical foundation.

3. Encourage Mathematical Thinking

Asking open-ended questions like “Why do you think that happened?” or “What surprised you the most about the activity?” prompts kindergarteners to reflect on their work, deepening their critical thinking skills. Giving students the opportunity to share also builds confidence, while listening to their classmates builds important listening skills.

4. Math Vocabulary

Even though kindergarteners are young, there’s no need to simplify math vocabulary. Students should understand the terms for concepts they’re learning, such as “sum,” “difference,” “equation,” “greater than,” or “equal to.” Exposure to math language avoids confusion and builds a strong foundation for the future.

5. Differentiate Instruction

Kindergarteners arrive in the classroom with different levels of readiness, so lessons should reflect their unique abilities and experiences. Design purposeful, flexible lessons that help students build confidence while learning at their own pace. For math practice tailored to individual students’ needs, check out DreamBox. This online math program uses fun games and activities to help students learn at their own pace.

6. Use Manipulatives

Kindergarteners have difficulty with abstract concepts, so using manipulatives in the classroom is a must. Hands-on tools like counting bears, unit cubes, pattern blocks, and math racks let students explore math concepts in accessible and concrete ways.

7. Explore the Real World

To find math meaningful, students must be able to connect it to the real world. Head outside to count flowers, identify shapes in nature, or compare the size of two stones. These experiences help students see the importance of math in their everyday lives.

8. Incorporate Math Into Other Subjects

Integrate math concepts into literacy, science, or art lessons. Cross-curricular learning provides even more opportunities for students to see math in different contexts. Reading counting books, painting shapes, or graphing the number of sunny days in a week are all ways to incorporate math into the school day.

9. Assess Understanding in Real Time

Informal assessments allow teachers to monitor student progress and address misunderstandings quickly. Close observation, thumbs-up/thumbs-down, or think-pair-share are all formative assessments that can provide valuable information and guide instruction.

10. Keep Lessons Brief

The average 5-year-old’s attention span is usually only about 10 minutes, so lessons should reflect that developmental reality. In kindergarten math, instruction should be short, interactive, and exciting to help students stay focused and actively engaged in learning.

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5 Kindergarten Math Activities

1. Sorting Objects

In this simple, hands-on activity, kindergarteners practice sorting, identifying, and describing objects. LEGO bricks work especially well here. Give each student a small pile of bricks, along with a muffin tin, paper plates, or bowls for sorting. Then invite them to sort the objects by attributes such as color, size, or shape. After sorting, volunteers can share how they grouped the objects and explain their thinking. To extend the activity, kindergarteners can count how many objects are in each group or compare groups using “more,” “less,” or “equal.”

2. Simon Says Math

This twist on the classic Simon Says game combines movement with math while helping kindergarteners build listening and motor skills. While this activity requires no materials and minimal prep, it’s helpful to write down the commands before playing the game. To play, give kids instructions like “Simon says hop four times!” or “Simon says point to something taller than you!” Make sure to explain that students only follow the action when it starts with “Simon says.” Let students take turns as Simon.

3. Garbage

Garbage is a simple card game that helps kindergarteners practice number recognition, counting, and ordering, and is best played in pairs. To begin, each pair gets one deck of cards with jokers removed. They place 10 cards face down in two rows of five. These cards represent the numbers 1–10. The rest of the cards are placed face down in a draw pile. To begin, the first player draws a card from the pile—for example, a four. She counts to her fourth card, removes it, and places the four in that position, face up. Then, the player looks at their new card to see if they can place it. If the first player receives a face card or a number they’ve already placed, their turn ends. The first person who fills in all 10 places wins. An ace card counts as the number 1.

4. Pattern Block Pictures

This creative activity uses pattern blocks and templates to create pictures, practicing shape recognition, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Give students a pattern block template (widely available online) and a set of pattern blocks, then challenge them to cover the pictures with the correct shapes. The teacher can check for understanding by circulating the room and asking individual students to name the shapes they use. For more of a challenge, invite students to create and label their own pictures without templates.

5. Outdoor Number Hop

Get kids moving with this fun outdoor activity that helps kids practice number recognition, counting, and ordering. Before class begins, use sidewalk chalk to draw numbers on the pavement in random, scattered locations. Have all students start behind a chalk-drawn line, then call out directions like “skip to number nine!” or “run like a cheetah to number six!” Number Hop works particularly well as a whole group activity because it requires minimal instruction and is easily adapted for students with different abilities.

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8 Math Instructional Strategies to Engage Students

Katie Wickliff — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:33:49 +0000

Key takeaways

Using a variety of math instructional strategies across the week keeps students engaged and helps identify gaps in understanding
Strategies like number talks, math journaling, graphic organizers, and cooperative learning develop reasoning skills alongside math fluency
Cultivating a growth mindset is the most important of all instructional strategies for math—it builds the confidence students need to persist through challenges

Teaching math is challenging, and many students have an aversion to math. That’s why it’s important to make learning math a positive experience for them. You have the power to change their mindset toward math. They may not always come away loving math, but at the very minimum, they can make peace with it!

As math educators, how can we do this? It’s all about engagement. And how do we create that engagement? We do this by using a variety of math instructional strategies over a week’s worth of lessons.

This article provides a springboard for several ideas to enliven your math lessons. You’ll come away with:

8 math instructional strategies that can be used across elementary grade levels
A thorough explanation and examples for these strategies
A clearer picture of why instructional strategies for math are important in assessing student understanding

1. “Common Sense” Number Talks

Offer students a problem and give them three different possible answers. Ask them to look at the problem without solving it and determine which answer seems most reasonable.

For example, Anita sees a price tag on a dress. The original cost of the dress was $85.95, but the sign says that there’s a sale—30% off the price tag. Here are three possible prices: $69.00, $53.95, $26.75. Which price would be the most reasonable estimate and why? Then, let students calculate the answer and compare it to their best guess. Which of the original possible prices was the closest? Did they guess it correctly? Have them explain their reasoning. Encourage them to look at the problem in different ways. What operations are they using mentally? Is there any answer they could cross out right away? What rounding and estimating techniques did they use before they actually solved the problem?

2. Math Journaling

Journaling is an effective tool in language arts and can also be a useful strategy in math class. Math journals, whether on paper or digital, provide students with a way to document their answers to open-ended problems. They can include diagrams and illustrations that display the process they used to solve a particular problem. In addition to these “show your steps” notes, journals can be used for student reflection. As their teacher, you can provide appropriate prompts, such as “What did you think was the most difficult part of this problem? Why did you use this particular pathway to solve the problem? Now that you’ve solved it, can you think of an easier route to get the answer?”

One of the key benefits of journaling is “metacognition,” which simply means it gives students an opportunity to analyze their own thinking. Their journal notes will not be shared in class, just with you, their teacher. Even though journal notes are not a formal assessment, the students’ reflections and displayed work will help you to determine areas where understanding can be improved.

3. Graphic Organizers

For students, one of the most difficult challenges is breaking down problems into manageable steps. Graphic organizers can be a huge help in this regard because they provide students with a visual process of categorizing aspects of problems. Before using a new graphic organizer in the classroom, show the students how it’s separated and how color-coding might be used where appropriate.

It’s a good idea to walk through a sample problem so they can get a feel for how the organizer can help them tackle the problem step by step. For a new topic, you can provide partially filled-in organizers to scaffold their fledgling reasoning.

For example, most students have some anxiety related to solving word problems. A graphic organizer mat specifically designed for word problems might be separated into five pieces. In the first box, students explain what they need to solve. In the second, they can list one or more strategies they might use to work toward a solution. In the third, they can explain their step-by-step process. In the fourth, they can provide their answer and their reasoning. Finally, in the last box, they can show how they checked their answer. Word problems are less threatening when they are broken apart in this way.

Another very useful graphic organizer is called the Frayer model. It’s perfect for building math vocabulary and understanding definitions. This organizer is divided into four areas, with the word you are working with in the center.

For example, suppose you’re introducing different types of polygons. The top left-hand box in the Frayer template can provide a definition. Then, students can fill out the top-right-hand box with some properties of that particular polygon. The bottom left box can show some matching examples of that polygon, and the bottom right can show some polygons that don’t match the definition, in other words, the nonexamples.

4. Cooperative Learning

Teaching in small groups has long been part of the instructional toolkit for math. Some teachers are reluctant to use this strategy for fear that the strongest students will dominate the other students in the group, and the others won’t do their part. The truth is that once students enter the world of work, much of their problem-solving will involve working in teams. Cooperative learning provides an opportunity for them to learn new math concepts in a collaborative environment, one that has the potential to increase both their math and social confidence.

It’s a good idea to set up some ground rules before using cooperative learning to work on new math skills. Encourage students to improve their active listening and communication skills. Ask them how they will handle conflicts if not everyone in the group agrees on how to resolve them. Inquire about how they will provide constructive feedback when it’s clear that some students are weaker than others in particular skills.

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5. Math Games

Do you remember the game of hangman? You can use it to teach math vocabulary in a classroom setting. Divide the class into groups, then have each group take a turn to guess a letter. Will the class guess the math vocabulary word before the stick figure is drawn? Choose a long word with not too many repeated letters to make the game more challenging than usual. A dodecagon or an equiangular are some examples. After the word is guessed, you might segue to a Frayer model sheet to discuss definitions as well as examples/nonexamples.

Another fun game that gets kids moving and thinking is a place value competition. Give each student a card with a number. The challenge is to have them line up to form the largest possible number. Another variation of this game is to use decimals such as 0.14, 0.05, 0.006, 0.0007, and have the students arrange themselves in a line based on which value is the largest or smallest.

Beyond physical activities, many classrooms also find success by incorporating digital tools into their weekly rotations. By using a math program such as DreamBox Math, you can offer students a gamified environment to practice skills at their own pace on their own devices.

6. Differentiated Instruction

It’s no surprise that the students in your classroom learn best in different ways. Differentiated instruction strategies for math address diverse learning styles, skill sets, and environments. Some students might learn visually, some might learn best by listening, and some might learn best by working with manipulatives. In addition to offering students different ways to learn, another differentiated instruction strategy is to adapt your lesson plans to the range of each student’s skills.

The environment is also a factor. Some students learn best by reading a lesson aloud or watching you work through examples on the board or overhead. Others work best in small groups where they can learn from other students as well. Make the effort to carve out one-on-one time with each student at least once a week to hone in on weak skills. Varying your presentation several times a week ensures that you’re giving all the students in your class the best learning opportunities.

Another engagement strategy is to find out your students’ interests. Do some students love art? Are some excited by music or sports? Word problems in particular can be made more engaging by building them around students’ common interests.

7. Explicit Teacher Modeling

When introducing a new concept, you can model it for students step by step. “First, I’m going to show you how I would do this problem and the thinking I go through. Then, we’re going to do it together in class. Then you’re going to try solving the problem on your own.” A step-by-step walkthrough using manipulatives or drawings while you talk slowly through the process will help students understand that you still have to “think through” different ways to tackle a problem. Teachers don’t automatically know the answer! They have to use number sense and math reasoning, too.

8. Growth Mindset

Probably the most important of all math instructional strategies is to display a growth mindset in the classroom. Some historical examples might be useful here. Even geniuses like Albert Einstein complained about their mathematical challenges. If a student says, “I’m not good at math,” you might share that you weren’t automatically good at math either. Practice and an embrace of challenges with excitement are solid virtues for the mathematics student to cultivate. Encouraging these traits will help them both in math and in life. At the start, emphasize developing a deep understanding of math and a trial-and-error mindset. Timed practice and tests can come later once students have developed the confidence to move quickly.

Using different math instructional strategies in your classroom will help you identify where students are catching on and where their understanding is slow or incomplete. Although this type of observation provides qualitative, not quantitative data, it’s still incredibly valuable information you can use to adapt and enrich your future lessons.

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Elementary Math Teaching Guide: Strategies That Work

Katie Wickliff — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:51:59 +0000

Key takeaways

Elementary math focuses on foundational skills and concepts to develop number sense, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding
Identifying clear objectives and learning goals will help teachers determine which strategies to use
Celebrating progress over perfection is a key way to build students’ courage and confidence in math

Helping students build a strong mathematical foundation is one of the most important responsibilities for any elementary teacher, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. While most students benefit from personalized instruction, many effective teaching strategies can help all learners succeed in math. From creating purposeful lessons and activities to encouraging a growth mindset and celebrating progress, the strategies in our guide are intentional, engaging, and focused on making sure students truly understand (and enjoy!) learning elementary math.

What does elementary math typically focus on?

Elementary math focuses on a wide range of concepts and skills, starting with basic knowledge such as counting, cardinality, and shape identification, and progressing in complexity as children demonstrate understanding. In the early elementary years, students approach math concretely, using manipulatives (physical objects) and other learning tools before moving to visual representations and, eventually, to more abstract thinking and problem-solving.

Key focus areas include:

Number Sense

Number sense, the ability to understand numbers and how they work together, is an essential part of a child’s math development. Students with strong number sense can confidently explore numbers and develop efficient, flexible strategies for approaching and solving problems.

Place Value

Developing number sense allows students to understand place value, that the value of a digit depends on its position (hundreds, tens, ones). Place value is the foundation of many mathematical concepts, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Understanding the value of a number is essential for solving problems accurately and applying math to real-world situations. When students understand that numbers mean something, they often become more active participants in their own learning.

Operations and Computational Fluency

Number sense and operations go hand in hand. While number sense is understanding what numbers mean, operations are the “action,” or computation performed on those numbers. In elementary math, students focus on developing fluency with math facts and calculations, as well as strategies to solve real-world problems.

Algebraic Thinking

Algebraic thinking in elementary school focuses on recognizing and identifying patterns, describing quantities and how they change, understanding mathematical rules, and working with unknown values in equations. Students begin to understand how to make generalizations by noticing patterns or representations and realizing that these patterns and representations work in many situations. Early algebraic thinking matters because it helps develop reasoning and problem-solving skills, encouraging students to think logically and move beyond simply finding the answer.

Geometry and Measurement

In elementary math, students focus on developing spatial reasoning, which is the ability to “see” and manipulate shapes in their minds. They recognize and classify 2D and 3D shapes and eventually learn to create more complex shapes from simpler ones. They also begin measuring angles and calculating perimeter and area, applying these skills to real-world situations and problems.

Data Analysis

Students learn to collect, sort, classify, represent, interpret, and present data using hands-on materials, simple graphs, or tally charts. Early on, students focus mostly on categorical data, which describes categories or groups, often based on similarities, such as “favorite sport,” “favorite subject,” or “favorite color.” Students eventually progress toward understanding data by noticing patterns, comparing quantities, or finding totals.

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10 Effective Strategies for Teaching Elementary Math

1. Conceptual Understanding First

Making sure that your students truly understand a concept is the most important part of teaching elementary math. Conceptual understanding is not a separate math lesson; rather, it is incorporated into lessons from the very beginning and is the foundation for all effective teaching strategies. Students develop understanding through hands-on exploration, visual models, discussion, reflection, and connecting math to daily life. Teachers should allow students to solve problems in different ways so they understand that math is about reasoning, flexible thinking, patterns, and relationships between numbers.

2. Purposeful Lesson Planning

When you are designing strategies for your students, make sure to identify clear objectives and learning goals. What do you want your students to understand and be able to do? This will inform the rest of your strategies and ensure that your math lesson is purposeful, effective, and focused.

3. Clear Instruction, Modeling, and Guided Practice

With direct instruction, the teacher explains the concept step-by-step. Then, they model the skill and demonstrate how to do the work. Next, guided practice allows students to try the activity with the teacher’s support and feedback, building the confidence to work independently. These three steps are important because they provide a clear, structured way for students to receive instruction and demonstrate understanding before moving to independent work.

4. Differentiated Instruction

Every student is unique, and differentiated instruction allows teachers to adjust learning goals, activities, and assessments based on individual needs and learning styles. Simply put, there is no “one size fits all” approach to teaching elementary math. In fact, implementing effective strategies allows teachers to tailor lessons to their unique learners.

5. Meaningful Games and Activities

Games and hands-on activities encourage active learning, which increases engagement and motivation. Purposeful activities can also help simplify complex concepts, encourage deeper understanding, and develop problem-solving skills. For example, DreamBox Math, an interactive online math program, uses games and fun challenges to help reinforce math concepts.

6. Small Group and Partner Work

Small-group work allows students to actively discuss their ideas and listen to different approaches to solving a math problem or challenge. This discussion and collaboration also help students develop confidence in explaining their own mathematical process, which deepens their understanding. Teachers can also provide more individualized instruction, for example, by pulling a small group to reteach a concept or give students an extra challenge.

7. Formative Assessments

Formative assessments allow teachers to quickly gather information throughout the lesson to monitor student learning in real time. These assessments can also help identify misconceptions to correct before the lesson progresses. Examples of formative assessments include “think-pair-share,” where students discuss with a partner before sharing with the class; online polls or quizzes on an interactive learning platform; or exit tickets to find out what students understand and what questions they still have.

8. Connect Math to the Real World

Connecting math for elementary teachers to daily life is an essential teaching strategy because it allows students to see that numbers are everywhere! Hands-on activities like cooking, building, or even designing their “dream home” make learning new concepts exciting. Even the youngest students can connect math to the real world.

9. Provide Feedback

While teachers should always communicate with students’ parents or caregivers, providing direct, individual feedback to students themselves is an invaluable way to gauge how they feel about their math progress. Meeting one-on-one is also a great way to build relationships and show students that they are valued and respected.

10. Encourage a Growth Mindset

When students see mistakes as an important part of learning, it encourages grit and perseverance. When teachers celebrate effort and progress, rather than perfection, it encourages students to take educational risks and tackle challenging concepts.

The post Elementary Math Teaching Guide: Strategies That Work appeared first on Discovery Education.

DreamBox Math: Common Q&A for Curriculum Evaluation

David Bryan — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:01:56 +0000

Evaluating curricula like Discovery Education’s DreamBox Math for possible adoption is never simple or easy, but we want to help. Use this set of key questions with detailed answers as a guide to how our program can support educator and student success in your school or district.

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Key Questions and Answers about DreamBox Math

1. Does DreamBox Math support all three aspects of math rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application?

Short answer: Yes, students actively do mathematics by building models, testing strategies, solving problems, and developing the conceptual understanding that leads to lasting fluency.

DreamBox Math’s instructional design follows the research-grounded progression of concepts first, then fluency. Our proven formula: virtual manipulatives + conceptual design = math fluency. Incorporating virtual manipulatives and visual models to build meaning before practicing procedures ensures student understanding is deep and transferable. As they progress, learners also build confidence and a love of math.

2. Is DreamBox Math content focused on grade-level priorities?

Short answer: Yes, districts can guide DreamBox Math’s adaptive engine toward state-assessment or district-priority standards, which no other program can duplicate.

Interactive lessons are backed by research and designed to accomplish pedagogical goals, then aligned to standards across all states. As standards change, we regularly update DreamBox Math alignments. What’s more, we’re always updating curriculum alignments to help teachers connect DreamBox Math to what they’re doing in the classroom.

At a broader level, districts now choose how DreamBox’s Intelligent Adaptive Engine prioritizes grade-level standards in support of their goals and objectives. The two Intelligent Adaptive Pathways are:

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

Focused Adaptive Pathways let educators maximize every minute of their limited supplemental time on the standards that matter most.

More ways for educators to target grade-level priorities:

Interactive Curriculum Guide: Explore lessons by grade-level and/or standard.
Assignments: Create by topic, standard, curriculum unit, and NWEA.

3. How well does DreamBox Math build coherence across grade levels and concepts?

Short answer: Extremely well, with a defined sequence for skills and concepts, personalized learning based on student thinking, and opportunities for educators and districts to adjust and prioritize instruction.

DreamBox Math has a sequence (aka trajectory or progression) for all skills and concepts, and the included Curriculum Guide can help educators visualize this trajectory across all grade levels and domains. Our curriculum is designed to support the process of learning and transfer of prior learning throughout grades K–8.

Instruction tailored to each individual: Every student gets a continuously evolving learning pathway based on how they think because DreamBox Math’s Intelligent Adaptive Learning automatically personalizes instruction within and between lessons. Students always start at their just-right level with the help of our Launchpad placement engine. Some lessons are intended to connect ideas between concepts taught at different grade levels and offer activities marked accordingly.

The new Intelligent Adaptive Pathways let districts prioritize grade-level standards in support of their goals and objectives through two options:

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

These pathways set the focus based on a student’s rostered grade level but fill prerequisite work first.

Assignments: When needed, teachers can choose to assign lessons either long term or short term. Long-term assignments are perfect for targeting standards- or NWEA-aligned skills. Short-term assignments can be used to enhance curricular units and concepts.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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4. Does DreamBox Math develop mathematical reasoning and problem-solving, not just respond to correct answers?

Short answer: Absolutely! DreamBox Math reads and adapts to student thinking rather than just correct answers, so learners experience productive struggle, conceptual breakthroughs, and mathematical agency.

DreamBox Math is built on the idea that learning is personal, so personalization is essential. Its Intelligent Adaptive Engine responds in real time to every mathematical move a student makes (strategy, manipulative use, error patterns, decision sequences), adjusting instantly to their progress and performance. This results in:

Deeper misconception detection
Faster remediation
Transfer of learning

DreamBox Math lessons are purpose built to support thinking and reasoning with:

Virtual manipulatives: Students explore concepts with immediate visual feedback. Personalized hints support thinking without giving away answers.
Embedded assessment: DreamBox Math’s adaptive engine collects insights from every interaction, not just right or wrong responses.

What virtual manipulatives offer: Students explore ideas, test strategies, and discover solutions as they build, move, and reason with virtual manipulatives. They develop number sense, mental models, structural knowledge, and mathematical reasoning.

5. How effectively does DreamBox Math differentiate instruction for different learners?

Short answer: DreamBox Math delivers personalized lessons and targeted scaffolding that adjust in real time, ensuring every student is always working at the right level.

Teachers are amazing, but no human can personalize learning for 25 students all at once, offer infinite patience, and remember every student’s learning history. DreamBox Math automatically differentiates based on student thinking, so your team can focus on what they do best—build relationships with students, talk about math, develop discourse, and deliver instruction.

What automatic differentiation means: Continuous formative assessment captures students’ decisions in real time and enables DreamBox Math to adjust within lessons as students are working and between lessons to match each learner’s readiness. Each student gets a personalized pathway to develop mathematical reasoning and problem solving.

In the classroom, teachers can flexibly connect DreamBox Math to any context:

Preview concepts: Teacher-led math talks using Curriculum Guide lesson demos.
Fill gaps/check for understanding: Short-term assignments aligned to curriculum units.
Independent practice: Automatic differentiation builds foundations at each student’s own pace.
Early identification: Real-time insights reveal students who may need intervention before the next benchmark.

For targeted interventions, DreamBox provides:

Daily updated progress reporting that alerts teachers when students need extra support.
Lesson previews during whole- or small-group and 1:1 instruction.
Long-term assignments to target standards- or NWEA-aligned skills.
Short-term assignments to enhance curricular units and concepts.
Assignment Overview & History Report to monitor progress.

6. Does DreamBox Math engage students through active learning and meaningful practice?

Short answer: Yes, students using DreamBox Math are building models, manipulating objects, testing strategies, and solving problems, not clicking through a digital worksheet.

DreamBox Math immerses students in hands-on, gamified lessons using virtual manipulatives that help them make sense of abstract math concepts. Unlike programs that use math to deliver games, DreamBox’s gamified elements serve active mathematical problem-solving.

DreamBox Math lessons have four critical attributes that make learning stick:

Context: This creates purpose and engagement through meaningful, real-world situations.
Intentional numbers: Fairness, challenge, and curiosity spark student thinking. Numbers shape strategy opportunities and adapt to the learner. Standards are the floor, not the ceiling.
Manipulatives: Students use them to act, explore, and discover ideas for themselves. This drives authentic “lightbulb” moments for every learner.
Hints/Scaffolds: Students get just-in-time clarity that preserves thinking. They support explicit instruction without replacing reasoning.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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7. Does DreamBox Math support mastery-based learning and allow students to progress at their own pace?

Short answer: Yes to both because we want students to develop deeper understanding and strong problem-solving skills to think through math, not just memorize it.

In DreamBox Math, students use hands-on exploration to:

Build mental models
Understand structures and relationships
Develop strategic thinking and reasoning

This results in problem-solving skills that transfer to contexts within and beyond the classroom, including assessments.

Standards mastery: DreamBox’s interactive lessons are backed by research and designed to accomplish pedagogical goals, then aligned to standards across all states. As standards change, we regularly update DreamBox Math alignments.

Benefits of personalization: DreamBox Math delivers personalized lessons and targeted scaffolding that adjust in real time, ensuring every student is always working at the right level—not stuck, not bored, just engaged and learning. And each student is productively challenged from day one, not wasting weeks on content they’ve already mastered, because our Launchpad placement engine starts them at their just-right level.

Personalized pathways driven by student thinking: Continuous formative assessment captures students’ thinking (strategy, manipulative use, error patterns, decision sequences) in real time. Then DreamBox Math relies on its Intelligent Adaptive Engine, which is built on 25+ years of math-specific learning science, to adjust within lessons as students are working and between lessons to match each learner’s readiness. Teachers get real-time visibility into student understanding without extra work.

8. What’s the evidence that DreamBox Math improves math achievement?

Short answer: DreamBox Math is backed by ESSA Strong (Tier 1) evidence across 13,000+ students in diverse districts, among other evidence.

We have proof at scale that when students use DreamBox Math at recommended levels, they show significant growth by various measures:

ESSA Strong (Tier 1) across 13,000+ students in diverse districts. (Evidence for ESSA)
20 min/week on DreamBox → 2.5-point NWEA MAP gain, grades 3–5. (Harvard CEPR study)
8,000+ CA students: +10 points (K–2) and +7 points (3–5) NWEA MAP gains, (2–5+ lessons/week). (LearnPlatform by Instructure study)
K–2 RCT (24 schools, NC): significant outperformance, effect size +0.12. (Discovery Education 100,000-student study)

Note that DreamBox Math’s daily progress data gives you ROI visibility between benchmarks, not just at the end of the year.

9. What kind of data does DreamBox Math provide, and is it actionable?

Short answer: Unlike any other math program, DreamBox Math gives educators real-time insights into student thinking (continuous formative assessment data), so they don’t need to wait till the next benchmark to act.

With DreamBox Math, continuous formative assessment provides real-time insight into how students think and learn, not just whether they got a question right.

Plus, teachers have other reports and data that can inform instructional decisions:

Progress Report: Progress in DreamBox across the district’s school year in the focal areas of the standards.
Standards Report: Progress against individual grade-level standards.
Assignment History Report: Ideal for targeted instruction over time.
Assignment Overview: Active assignments and proficiency for the classroom at a glance.
Lesson Recommendations: The lessons each student has in their personalized pathways.
Lesson Highlights: Lesson replays by student, providing insight into understanding and areas of struggle.

New AI Classroom Assist (in beta): This transforms DreamBox Math’s continuous formative assessment data into clear, actionable recommendations, revealing struggling students, engagement concerns, rapid guessing, and assignment gaps—directly on the teacher Home Page. There’s no setup or training needed, and it keeps student data private.

District- and school-level data tracking: Administrators can see usage, progress, and standards proficiency across classrooms, schools, and the entire district, supporting accountability, strategic planning, and board-level reporting.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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10. How well does DreamBox Math integrate into existing curriculum and instructional routines?

Short answer: DreamBox Math is a supplemental program aligned to 10+ published curricula and every state’s standards. It makes it easy for teachers to pull up a lesson that connects directly to what they’re teaching.

DreamBox Math fills the gaps that even the best core programs have: It’s the personalized layer the core alone can’t provide for every learner. In fact, a recent survey we conducted revealed that 77% of current partners agree that they use DreamBox Math to fill curricular gaps.

How does DreamBox Math fit so easily into your toolkit? We’ve aligned it to each state’s standards and more than 10 widely used curriculum programs, including:

Eureka Math
enVision
Into Math
Reveal Math
IM v.360
And many more!

DreamBox Math connects to these and other core curricula with research-backed instructional design and progressions. What’s more, it provides an interactive Curriculum Guide for lesson exploration and assignments by standard, topic, curriculum unit, and NWEA. This allows teachers to connect DreamBox to exactly what they’re teaching. No other supplemental curriculum offers this depth of alignment flexibility.

At a broader level, districts now choose how DreamBox’s Intelligent Adaptive Engine prioritizes grade-level standards. The two pathways are:

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

Focused Adaptive Pathways let educators maximize every minute of their limited supplemental time on the standards that matter most.

11. How does DreamBox Math integrate with our LMS?

Short answer: DreamBox Math does not integrate with your LMS, but it does integrate with rostering systems like ClassLink or Clever and enterprise-level SSO.

12. Is DreamBox Math scalable, sustainable, and worth the investment over time?

Short answer: Without a doubt! DreamBox Math is purpose built to help teachers, schools, and districts make the most of every math minute, so students develop the understanding and problem-solving skills to be successful in school and beyond.

DreamBox Math helps districts scale high-quality instruction regardless of staff shortages, bandwidth, or instructor qualifications. It supports new, substitute, and stretched teachers without sacrificing responsiveness or instructional rigor.

With the included onboarding, professional learning, and ongoing support, teachers feel confident and successful from day one. And Discovery Education’s Professional Learning team, comprised of experienced educators, provides relevant synchronous and asynchronous options to build capacity at any pace.
In the classroom, DreamBox Math is the partner that does what a human cannot: personalize learning for every student simultaneously, offer infinite patience, and provide continuous formative assessment. This frees teachers to focus on relationships, instruction, and discourse. Strengthening the classroom focus, DreamBox Math’s new AI Classroom Assist (in beta) brings to light struggling students and engagement concerns so teachers can act quickly to provide extra support.

DreamBox Math stands alone among supplemental curricula:

Unmatched adaptivity: Adjusts to student thinking in the moment
Built for thinking: Promotes strategic reasoning and deep understanding
Curriculum cohesion: Aligns to standards, curricula, and NWEA
Readiness beyond the classroom: Builds algebra readiness, college & career readiness, and STEM foundations

Investing in DreamBox Math means you get an effective teaching and learning tool that requires less time, is easy to implement and use, and has impact on a variety of measures—validated by more than a decade of independent research. In fact, one district saw over 5 percentile point achievement gains in just 8 weeks with one hour per week of usage.

Many districts choose DreamBox Math because it supports multiple priorities with one solution. As part of the Discovery Education Connected Ecosystem, DreamBox Math is not another point solution, it’s the adaptive learning pillar of a coherent K–12 partnership.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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The post DreamBox Math: Common Q&A for Curriculum Evaluation appeared first on Discovery Education.

1st Grade Math Teaching Guide | Activities and Standards

Katie Wickliff — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:12:47 +0000

Key takeaways

First-grade math builds on the concepts and skills taught in kindergarten
While 1st-grade academic standards are generally similar, it’s important to learn your school’s specific expectations
To keep students engaged and attentive, lessons should be purposeful and focused, but also brief, hands-on, and engaging

When children begin 1st grade, they’re usually filled with excitement, curiosity, and energy. They’ve “graduated” from kindergarten and are familiar with classroom routines and expectations, and are generally eager to learn. Luckily, teachers can keep the momentum going by creating a classroom environment where learning and fun are both on the table. In this guide, we review 1st-grade math standards, outline teaching tips and strategies, and share five fun math activities that students love. Let’s get started!

1st Grade Math Standards

First-grade academic standards provide an overview of the concepts and skills students are expected to learn by the end of the school year. While programs like Common Core attempted to create more consistency across the United States, academic standards still differ by state, district, or individual school. Even so, 1st-grade math standards across the country focus on four main topics, including operations and algebraic thinking, place value and number sense, measurement and data, and geometry.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Students learn to represent and solve addition and subtraction problems within 20, and use mental math to solve problems within 10. They solve addition word problems with three whole numbers using objects, drawings, or equations with a symbol to represent the unknown number. They also use strategies such as counting on, making 10, or decomposing numbers to solve addition and subtraction problems.

Place Value and Number Sense

First graders learn to count and write numbers up to 120, and to use numerals to represent a specific number of objects. They’ll explore place value and understand that a two-digit number represents a certain amount of tens and ones. They’ll also learn to compare numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols. Students will use place value knowledge to mentally add or subtract by tens and explain their reasoning.

Measurement and Data

Students learn to measure the length of an object using multiple shorter objects and express the length in whole numbers. For example, students might use several paper clips to measure the length of an envelope. Students will also learn to order three objects by length. In 1st grade, students use analog and digital clocks to write and tell time to the hour and half-hour. They will learn to collect, organize, and represent data in up to three categories, and ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, the amount in each category, and how many more or fewer there are in one category than another.

Geometry

Students will identify two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional shapes. They will learn how to count and compare the sides and corners of shapes. First graders will also build and draw shapes like rectangles, squares, triangles, and trapezoids. Students will understand how to divide circles and rectangles into two and four equal parts, and describe those parts using the words halves, fourths, and quarters.

10 Tips for Teaching 1st Grade Math

While academic standards outline what students should learn by the end of the year, the way those skills are taught should be flexible, interactive, and responsive to students’ needs. While there’s no definitive, straightforward “recipe” for teaching 1st-grade math, we’ve outlined several intentional tips and strategies to help students understand math concepts and master key 1st-grade skills.

1. Build Number Sense

The ability to understand numbers and their relationships is essential for math success. Help students build number sense by using manipulatives for concrete understanding, connecting math to the real world, playing games, and encouraging students to explain their thinking.

2. Concrete-Visual-Abstract

Explore math concepts through concrete objects like counters or coins, then move to visual aids like number lines and hundreds charts, and finally to numbers and symbols. Children develop abstract reasoning skills later, so concrete learning is essential for understanding.

3. Build Fluency Through Strategies

Teach students strategies such as making 10, counting on, fact families, and doubles to help them solve problems more efficiently. When students learn strategies instead of relying on memorization, they develop the skills to solve more complex problems later on.

4. Consistent, Low-Stakes Assessment

Formative assessments are effective ways to assess student progress throughout the lesson. Additionally, asking students to reflect on their learning will help strengthen their critical thinking skills. Examples for 1st graders include: “thumbs up, thumbs down, or thumbs sideways” to show their understanding, drawing pictures to explain strategies, or simply circulating the room and observing closely. Consistent, low-stakes assessment also allows teachers to make adjustments or correct misunderstandings immediately.

5. Use Math Vocabulary

Incorporate math language throughout the day, modeling important terms like “sum,” “difference,” “vertices,” and more to strengthen understanding and prepare for more complex math challenges. Using proper terminology from the beginning avoids confusion later on!

6. Play Games

Board games, dice games, and card games all provide students with meaningful practice in important skills and concepts. Using mathematical games is also a low-pressure way for students to interact with and learn from one another.

7. Use Real-World Contexts

Activities like nature walks, shape hunts, or measuring ingredients allow 1st graders to understand that numbers are everywhere. Exploring real-world scenarios makes math feel meaningful and relevant.

8. Keep Lessons Short and Active

Young learners benefit from lessons that are brief but meaningful. Interactive, focused activities that encourage movement or hands-on learning keep 1st graders engaged and motivated.

9. Differentiate

First graders arrive in the classroom with differing levels of ability and readiness. Create lesson plans that provide extra support, practice, or challenge to meet every student’s needs.

10. Celebrate Progress

Encourage a positive math mindset by celebrating progress, not perfection. Students thrive in a supportive environment where they feel safe taking educational risks, making mistakes, and practicing new skills.

Also, be sure to check out our guide to teaching elementary math for even more strategies to help your learners succeed in the classroom and beyond.

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5 1st Grade Math Activities

No matter which specific standards your school follows, consistently practicing 1st-grade math concepts helps students develop skills and confidence. Dreambox Math is an online program designed to help students master standards-aligned math concepts. Through engaging, interactive math games and practice problems, Dreambox offers a personalized approach to practice.

1. Math Block Towers

When 1st graders are learning addition and subtraction, they need to see concrete examples of combining numbers to produce a new number. In this block tower activity, students choose two colors to show the sum of a two-digit equation. First, each student will need a worksheet or flashcards with addition problems (see the example below). Then, they’ll need 10 blocks in one color and 10 in another. Working individually or in pairs, students read the addition question and build a tower using the right number of blocks.

2. Bundle and Build

One of the first place value lessons 1st graders learn is the importance of the number 10 and how grouping items by tens helps us count. This hands-on activity uses popsicle sticks to help students visualize a group of 10 by bundling them together. Give each student 30 popsicle sticks (count these and bundle ahead of time). Working as a whole group, show the students how to bundle 10 sticks with a rubber band. Then, ask the students to count out more popsicle sticks–you can choose any number less than 10. For example, 1 bundle and 4 sticks represent the number 14. As students count and organize the sticks, they begin to build an understanding of tens and ones.

3. Marshmallow Shape Building

In 1st-grade geometry, students learn to identify 2D and 3D shapes correctly. This fun (and tasty!) activity helps develop spatial intelligence and makes the abstract concept of shapes easier to understand. First, give each student a handful of mini marshmallows and several toothpicks. As a whole group, discuss the attributes of shapes they’ve already learned, drawing each on a large white board. First graders will then form 2D shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks. When completed, have volunteers explain their process. Time permitting, work on creating 3D shapes, such as cones, cubes, or pyramids.

4. Online Math Activities

If your 1st graders are begging for screen time, turn it into a learning opportunity by utilizing online math programs, practice problems, or math apps. Be sure to check out DreamBox’s award-winning online math program. DreamBox’s personalized program is filled with practice opportunities and interactive activities that support your child’s unique math journey.

5. Measurement Activity

1st graders concentrate on different types of measurement, and this activity has always been a hit with my students and is perfect for the beginning of the school year. Each student writes their first name on a strip of paper. If needed, provide strips with boxes to guide letter placement. Working as a group, glue the strips of paper on a large poster board, ordering them from shortest name to longest name. For example, the chart might begin with “Amy” (3 letters) and end with Christopher (10 letters). Extend the activity by having the students compare the names using math vocabulary, such as “longer than,” “shorter than,” or “equal to.”

The post 1st Grade Math Teaching Guide | Activities and Standards appeared first on Discovery Education.

How to Choose a Supplemental Math Program: A District Purchasing Guide

DE Staff — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:07:47 +0000

Key takeaways

Evidence quality is non-negotiable.
Adaptivity and data tools are only valuable if teachers can act on them.
Adoption determines ROI.

Is Your District Considering A Supplemental Math Solution To Accelerate Learning For All Students And Increase Teacher Capacity?

The investment in curriculum programs for schools in your district is a significant undertaking. You have diverse student needs, staffing capacity concerns, and district accountability to consider.

This helpful guide provides districts with a comprehensive set of criteria for preparing to issue a request for proposals (RFP) or to make a district purchasing decision for supplemental math programs.

Objectives

To accelerate learning for diverse classroom instructional needs
To support data-driven instruction and district administration with robust and easy-to-read data analytics
To expand classroom staff capacity

Important Considerations

Does the research show independently evaluated “Strong” evidence of effectiveness?
Does the solution build deep conceptual understanding needed to develop critical math skills?
Does the solution provide the just-in-time supports needed?
Does the student have agency over their learning?
Can assessment data support real-time instructional decisions?
Can assessment data support real-time instructional decisions?
Does progress monitoring support predictive analytics and teaching recommendations?
Does the PD offered adapt to your needs?
Does the PD offered adapt to your needs?
Is ongoing support included in your subscription?

Weighing and Ranking Criteria

Use this chart to help your district determine the ranking of important criteria when it comes to finding a supplemental math program.

Category	Description	Weight (district completes)
Efficacy	Independently proven to produce desired outcomes including ESSA “Strong” research
Adaptivity	Students develop the conceptual understanding and fluency needed
Acceleration	Just-in-time scaffolding, feedback, hints and instructional support
Student Agency	Choice and control over interactive lessons and student progress monitoring
Assessment	Supports data-driven instruction with real time assessment data
Data-Driven Instructional tools	Tools provide teacher insights into student thinking and personalized lesson assignments
Progress Monitoring	Provides predictive analytics and real-time usage and progress data for educators and administrators
Professional Learning	Flexible implementation – blended or on-site PD
Implementation Success & Ongoing Support	Provides implementation and onboarding services to support adoption and usage with ongoing customer support
Integrations	Supports SSO and rostering via Clever or ClassLink

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Questions and Considerations for Choosing a Supplemental Math Program

Consider these thoughtful questions and criteria to find the answers that best inform your selection of a supplemental math program.

Efficacy

Identify the research that demonstrates the program is as effective as they say. Who conducted the research and has it been validated by independent third parties?

Criteria to Consider:

What ESSA Tier of Evidence does the product have and is there research to support the level?
Is there a list of independent Randomized Control Trial (RCT) studies that demonstrate the usage needed to support the study outcomes?
What is the recommended usage of the program?
Do they have customer testimonials that support their efficacy claims?

Adaptivity & Acceleration

How can the solution support the instructional needs of all students? How does it adapt to each student’s unique needs?

Criteria to Consider:

Does the program deliver what students need in a motivating and engaging format?
How does the program determine what each student needs based on their unique starting point?
What are the adaptive learning pathways a student takes through the program?
What are the scaffolds, hints, and feedback offered in the program?
How does the solution serve MTSS Instruction for Tier I, II, and III?
How does the solution serve the needs of English Language Learners?
How can teachers make supplemental assignments for accelerated or struggling students?

Student Engagement & Agency

A program only works when students use it. Selecting a solution that students love increases the likelihood you will achieve your progress goals.

Criteria to Consider:

How does the student experience agency over their learning?
How does the program promote a growth mindset in mathematics?
Is the solution age- and grade-agnostic?
Can students track their own progress in the program?

Assessment & Curricular Insights

Consider that a more innovative approach to assessment may help you get the data needed to drive instruction while also relieving students of test-anxiety and increasing instructional time.

Criteria to Consider:

Does the solution assess student methods in addition to answers?
Does the solution deliver ongoing, real-time proficiency data?
How often does the assessment need to occur and how much time does it take?
How does the assessment inform instruction?
Does the solution align with your state standards and core curriculum?

Progress Monitoring & Data-Driven Instructional Tools

Educator demands are high and classroom diversity tests capacity. How useful is the data a solution generates? Can teachers easily use that data to make personalized instructional decisions?

Criteria to Consider:

Do the instructional tools allow educators to group students with shared levels of understanding?
Does the program make lesson recommendations and predictions to inform instructional strategies?
Does the solution provide visibility into how students think and learn?
How does the solution help teachers monitor progress and provide personalized and targeted instruction at scale?

Implementation & Professional Learning

The effectiveness of your investment is tied to usage and adoption. The program cannot be burdensome to your staff.

Criteria to Consider:

How does the solution support PD for math?
How accessible is Professional Development?
What type of implementation and ongoing support does the solution provide?

Integrations

The ability to integrate rosters and support for single-sign-on will translate to ongoing ease of use by staff and students.

Does the program support SSO and rostering via Clever or ClassLink?

The post How to Choose a Supplemental Math Program: A District Purchasing Guide appeared first on Discovery Education.

Math Intervention Guide: 10 Research-Based Strategies That Work

Maggie Lazur — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:27:08 +0000

Key takeaways

Matching instruction to where a student actually is in their learning, not where the curriculum assumes they should be, is what separates math intervention that works from math intervention that looks good on paper.
The districts that catch struggling students earliest treat screening as the beginning of a process, not the end.
The most effective math intervention strategies combine explicit instruction, targeted skill practice, and progress monitoring. They work because they work together.

When a student misses something foundational in math, it does not just affect that skill. It starts affecting everything that comes after it. Math intervention, when grounded in solid research and implemented consistently, is one of the most effective responses.

What Is Math Intervention?

Math intervention is a structured, targeted instructional approach for students who are not making adequate progress through core instruction alone.⁴ MTSS, which stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports, is the framework most schools use to decide how much support a student needs and what kind.² Tier 1 covers the foundational instruction that all students receive. When students need something beyond that, Tier 2 provides additional small-group support. For students with more significant skill gaps, Tier 3 offers intensive, often one-on-one instruction.

Math intervention is not the same as special education, and it is not simply re-teaching the same lesson a second time and hoping for a different result. Many students who need intervention have gaps resulting from inconsistent instruction. Sometimes a student missed a critical concept and never had the chance to recover it. Not all academic support is the same. Remediation, intervention, and acceleration each serve a different purpose, and knowing which one a student actually needs is where good decision-making starts.

Many popular tools, including digital learning apps and just-in-time review lessons, get adopted because they are engaging or easy to implement, not because the evidence behind them is strong. A collection of supplemental tools does not make a math intervention system. What matters is a clear, evidence-based process that connects what assessment data reveals to what actually happens in instruction. Schools looking for a structured math intervention program should prioritize options that link adaptive technology directly to progress monitoring, so that data drives decisions rather than sitting in a report no one reads.

How Does Math Intervention Work?

Poorly done, math intervention looks like pulling a student out of class to work on a worksheet at a slower pace. Math intervention, when done well, follows a clear decision-making process built around four questions. Which key skills are students missing? What is the fastest way to rebuild those skills? Is the intervention working? And what happens next? Getting those questions right is what separates math intervention strategies that move students forward from those that simply keep them busy. Educators can explore these four principles for effective math intervention to determine how best to support their students.

Once students are identified, instruction has to be matched to where they actually are in their learning. Research supports a model called the Instructional Hierarchy, which maps three stages of skill development: acquisition, fluency, and generalization.³ In acquisition, students need explicit instruction, guided practice, and feedback at every step. In fluency, the goal shifts to building automaticity through repeated practice. Generalization comes last, when students apply the skill flexibly in new contexts.

The mistake most educators make is skipping ahead. Giving a student timed practice before they can consistently get the right answer does not build speed. It builds confusion. And asking a student to apply a skill they have not yet mastered tends to produce frustration more than learning. Both missteps feel productive in the moment, though neither reliably builds mastery. Progress monitoring is what keeps intervention on track. Without it, a student can spend weeks in an approach that is not working while everyone assumes it is.

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How Do You Know Which Students Need Math Intervention?

Universal screeners are the foundation for districts to identify struggling learners. These are brief assessments, given to all students two or three times a year, that measure the specific math skills most likely to predict future success or struggle. When used consistently alongside strong habits around using data in the classroom, screeners give teachers enough lead time to step in before a small gap becomes a big one.

Grades, classroom performance, teacher observations, and state assessment results all provide context that a screener alone cannot. In high school, especially, chronic absences and behavioral patterns can also be early signs that a student is struggling.

Getting the right answer matters, but so does how long it takes. A student who answers most problems correctly but works very slowly may not be as proficient as they appear. Research shows that speed and accuracy combined are twice as predictive of math success as accuracy alone.⁴ Because it is so easy to miss, students can slip through the cracks.

10 Effective Math Intervention Strategies

Use Explicit Instruction for New Skills: Explicit instruction gets mischaracterized as lecturing, but that is not what the research describes. When a student is encountering a skill for the first time, they need modeling, guided practice, and feedback at each step, not a worksheet or an open-ended task. Breaking complex skills into smaller pieces and connecting new content to what students already know gives struggling learners a foothold. This is one of the most consistently supported instructional strategies for math across decades of research.
Match the Instructional Tactic to the Learning Stage: One of the most preventable causes of stalled math intervention is using the wrong approach at the wrong time. A student who is still acquiring a skill needs structured, teacher-led instruction. Getting the right answer is step one. Getting there quickly is step two. Skipping to step three before a student has both tends to backfire.
Prioritize High-Leverage Skills: Not every math skill carries the same weight. Intervention time has to be spent on the concepts that do the most work: place value, fact fluency, fractions, proportional reasoning. These are the skills that, when missing, block access to related content across multiple grade levels.
Build Fluency Through Repeated, Timed Practice: Fluency is the automatic recall of facts and procedures that frees up working memory for more complex problem solving. For example, a student who has to count on their fingers to solve 7×8 in the middle of a multi-step algebra problem is using up brainpower that the problem itself demands. Students who have basic facts memorized to the point of automatic recall consistently outperform those who do not when the math gets more complex. Timed practice builds that automaticity, and the research is consistent on this point.¹˒⁵
Use Small Group Instruction: Large classrooms make it hard to catch the student who is not keeping up. Small group instruction changes that ratio. Teachers can see who is struggling and with what. Groups should shift based on what students need, not stay fixed by ability level.
Conduct Weekly Progress Monitoring: Weekly progress monitoring gives teachers actual data to work with, turning an intuitive judgment call into a decision grounded in evidence. Building math assessments into your classroom routine does not require an overhaul. It requires a system.
Provide Immediate, Descriptive Feedback: Feedback that actually accelerates learning names the error, explains why it happened, and points toward a next step. Teachers who build feedback into the flow of instruction, rather than saving it for after, see better results.
Give Students Something to Hold Onto: Middle school is where math starts to feel abstract in a way it never did before, and that shift catches a lot of students off guard. Physical and visual tools like algebra tiles, number lines, and geometric models bridge the gap between a concept a student can see and touch and the symbolic representation they are eventually expected to work with independently.
Encourage Productive Struggle Without Over-Scaffolding: There is a difference between a student who is stuck and a student who is thinking hard. A well-placed question that gets a student unstuck does more for their learning than a teacher who jumps in and solves it for them. One builds understanding. The other just gets the problem done.
Connect Screener Results to Action: Many schools have solid universal screening tools and almost no infrastructure connecting those results to what happens in the classroom. The missing piece is usually not data. It is a clear, consistent process for deciding what to do with it. Without that, schools end up with a lot of information and not enough action.

No student wakes up one day and suddenly cannot do math. The gap builds slowly, and by the time it shows up, it has usually been there for a while. That is why the most effective instructional strategies for math are less about which program a school buys and more about whether there is a real process behind it. Find the right students early. Understand where their learning broke down. Then teach that. For kids who have been told that math just is not for them, a system that does all of this well can be the thing that finally tells a different story.

3 Ways Adaptive Learning Supports Foundational Math and Reading for Elementary Students

DE Staff — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:38:38 +0000

Every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of success, but in today’s classrooms, that’s easier said than done. With wide-ranging skill levels across math and reading curriculum, learning gaps, and growing demands on teacher time, it’s hard to give every learner what they need, when they need it. That’s where interactive learning platforms with adaptive technology can play a vital role.

1. Adaptive Learning Solutions Fill Skill Gaps and Prevent Learning Loss

Learning is cumulative, and small skill gaps can become major roadblocks if left unaddressed. Adaptive programs can identify missed concepts early, sometimes before a teacher even sees them, and automatically provide targeted practice or revisit foundational concepts.

The How: Continuously Detect, Assess, and Target
Adaptive learning programs work behind the scenes to detect when a student is struggling. The programs don’t wait for formal, summative assessment to intervene. Instead, programs like DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading use continuous formative assessments to analyze patterns like repeated errors, hesitation, and inefficient strategies. The programs then respond instantly to offer support the moment a student needs it, without disrupting a student’s learning momentum. At the same time, these programs capture student progress and provide data-rich reports that offer educators actionable insights, enabling them to differentiate instruction, target small-group work, and make informed decisions that deepen student learning.

Why it Matters

Catching learning gaps early keeps students on track and prevents them from falling behind. This proactive, just-in-time support is especially effective in addressing unfinished learning and avoiding costly remediation.

Fast Fact

Many educators already know how impactful adaptive instruction can be, in fact 93% of teachers believe that adaptive learning would help students learn more effectively.

Learn about the Adaptive Engine that Powers DreamBox Math

2. Meet Students Where They Are Whether Behind or Ahead of Grade Level

Adaptive learning platforms don’t just deliver digital content. They respond in real time to how each student learns, creating personalized virtual learning experiences that boost confidence, fill knowledge gaps, and help every student grow, at their own pace, and in their own way.

The How: Track, Analyze, Adjust in Real Time
Adaptive programs track more than just right or wrong answers, they continuously analyze how students solve problelms, how long they take, and where they hesitate. Based on this data, programs like DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading adjust instruction in real time, tailoring the content, pacing, and scaffolding in real time.

Why it Matters

Adaptive learning solutions help create the Zone of Proximal Development, the space where learning is most effective because it’s just beyond what a student can do independently, but still within reach.

Fast Fact

Did you know that about three quarters of students say that learning at their own pace would increase the likelihood of engaging in lessons, feeling empowered in school, and feeling more prepared for the future?

3. Adaptive Learning Builds Growth Mindset and Confidence

A growth mindset is essential for learning. Adaptive learning technology reinforces this by helping students connect effort with progress. As they receive feedback and independently overcome challenges, they gain confidence that their abilities can grow with practice.

The How: Encourage Exploration, Productive Struggle, and Independence
DreamBox Math and Reading lessons are designed to support agency and progress through independent exploration and productive struggle. This type of adaptive technology offers hints and scaffolds only when necessary, allowing students to learn and grow by trying things, making mistakes, and seeing what works. As students successfully solve problems on their own, they build confidence and become more willing to take on new challenges.

Why it Matters

Students who believe they can figure things out are more likely to stay engaged, take academic risks, and develop lifelong learning habits.In this space of productive struggle, students stay motivated and make progress, challenged by content that’s appropriately difficult, not too easy, and not overwhelming.

Fast Fact

Recent research found that 94% of superintendents believe that personalized learning solutions that leverage adaptive technology to customize instruction to each student’s skills, preferences, and interests, can effectively boost student confidence.

Learn how DreamBox Reading leverages adaptivity to build foundational reading skills.

Create Student-Centered Learning Environments with Adaptive Learning

Adaptivity isn’t just about technology. It’s about creating responsive, student-centered classrooms. By choosing adaptive learning tools like DreamBox Math and Reading, educators can support every learner, close skill gaps, and build the confidence students need to succeed, now and in the future.

Ready to learn more about adaptivity?

Download Our Free Guide

The post 3 Ways Adaptive Learning Supports Foundational Math and Reading for Elementary Students appeared first on Discovery Education.

Leveling Up Middle School Math Engagement with DreamBox

DE Staff — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:34:33 +0000

Middle school is a time of growth and discovery—a time when students connect to their personal and academic identities. For educators, it’s a pivotal period for nurturing independence and agency in learning to promote engagement. This has always been a core value for DreamBox and critical for algebra readiness, an indicator of future success in college and careers.

DreamBox Math equips students with scaffolded personalized learning that fosters conceptual understanding. Students learn to think logically, identify patterns, construct arguments and solve new and unfamiliar problems.

Empowering Engaged and Motivated Learners

We believe that learning math should inspire confidence, curiosity, and creativity in every student. That’s why we are excited to introduce a new look for the DreamBox Math middle school experience. Designed to reflect the energy, interests, and routines of today’s middle schoolers, this update isn’t just about the technology—it’s about empowering engaged, motivated learners to see the adventure in mathematics, rather than a simple problem set. In DreamBox we want to make every moment matter more, to make teaching and learning mathematics more engaging, motivating, and impactful.

Meeting a New Milestone

As 11-14-year-olds navigate this key developmental phase, they are eager to take more control over their learning choices. DreamBox, a trusted name in personalized, adaptive math instruction, has been part of many students’ journeys through elementary school. But middle school is different, and students are ready to level up.

We are committed to our partnership with educators and rely on their feedback to guide innovations that ensure the most for their students. To meet the evolving needs of learners, DreamBox tested early designs with students to learn what resonates in grades 6–8 and used their feedback to modernize the engagement.

The result? An exciting environment that combines an elevated age-appropriate environment and a more vibrant design that conveys a youthful sense of adventure and independence and thoughtfully crafted to support self-directed learning while maintaining a sense of fun and curiosity about math.

Students will now have an easier time navigating lessons. The fresh lesson chooser design offers them greater clarity and ownership in their learning, with an Assignment panel that appears when teachers create assignments, enabling students to distinguish teacher-assigned tasks from lessons recommended by DreamBox.
There’s something powerful about seeing your progress in real-time. With a prominently featured weekly goal tracker, students can’t miss an opportunity to self-monitor their achievements, stay motivated, and remain accountable to their learning goals.
It’s augmenting math with an all-new vibe. Say hello to a fresh experience —this vibrant and engaging engagement is reflective of middle schoolers’ tastes and personal interests.

“I like this design better than the actual one . . . if you change your design like this and then people take a look at it, they're probably going to start wanting to work on DreamBox more often.”

Middle School Student

Why Educators Will Love It

Middle school teachers and administrators will reap the benefits of these updates too. Students who feel more in control of their learning often engage at higher levels, making teaching not just easier, but more impactful.

Here’s how the new DreamBox middle school experience supports educators:

Fostering Independence: With clear visibility into assignments and goals, students are equipped to take more ownership of their learning. Educators can simply assign lessons, confident that students will take the reins from there.
More engagement: Students and educators both benefit from the learning impact of DreamBox with better data that informs teaching decisions with little to no additional effort.
Meaningful Goal Tracking: Improved engagement means teachers get deeper insights into student learning.

Gazing into the Future

This is just the beginning. Updates to the middle school experience will continue into 2026 with:

Student-Facing Reporting Tools designed to empower students to set and monitor their own progress—boosting both confidence and accountability.
Exciting New Engagement Elements that continue to delight and motivate students, taking math learning to the next level of fun and interactivity.
Ongoing lesson updates and new lessons for Grades 6–8 over the longer term to better directly align with middle school curriculum as well as educator experience improvements to support teaching routines.

With these updates, we’re excited to support teachers and administrators with tools that elevate their dedicated work, improve classroom outcomes, and cultivate a love for learning.

Together, we can make middle school math a place where students not only succeed— but thrive.

To learn more about how DreamBox can take your math instruction to the next level, visit our back-to-school landing page or reach out to a member of our team.

Get an in-depth look into the exciting updates coming for the 2025-2026 school year!

Watch Engage K-12

The post Leveling Up Middle School Math Engagement with DreamBox appeared first on Discovery Education.

Math | Discovery Education

2nd Grade Math Teaching Guide | Activities & Examples

Key takeaways

Second-grade math focuses on number sense, place value, operations, mental math, geometry, measurement, and money

Academic standards vary by state, district, or school, but the expectations are similar across the country

Second graders love interactive, hands-on learning that allows movement, creativity, and teamwork

2nd Grade Math Standards

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Number and Operations in Base 10

Measurement and Data

Geometry

Tips for Teaching 2nd Grade Math

Develop Mathematical Thinking

Connect New Skills to Prior Learning

Build Fluency Through Strategies

Differentiate

Play Games

Give Consistent, Low-Stakes Assessments

Encourage Math Discussions

Use Math Vocabulary

Keep Lessons Short and Active

Cultivate a Positive Math Mindset

Explore K-8 Math Resources

5 2nd Grade Math Learning Activities

1. Shape Scavenger Hunt

2. Measuring with Washi Tape

3. Place Value Uno

4. Money Matching Activity

5. Addition/Subtraction Tic Tac Toe

Kindergarten Math: Teaching Guide, Tips & Activities

Key takeaways

Kindergarten math typically focuses on: counting, place value, shapes, measurement, and geometry.

Developing strong number sense is essential for building early math confidence.

Kindergarteners learn best through brief hands-on activities that encourage movement and exploration.

Kindergarten Math Standards

Counting and Cardinality

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Place Value Concepts

Measurement and Data

Geometry

Tips for Teaching Kindergarten Math

1. Never Too Early for Number Sense

2. Purposeful Play

3. Encourage Mathematical Thinking

4. Math Vocabulary

5. Differentiate Instruction

6. Use Manipulatives

7. Explore the Real World

8. Incorporate Math Into Other Subjects

9. Assess Understanding in Real Time

10. Keep Lessons Brief

Explore K-8 Math Resources

5 Kindergarten Math Activities

1. Sorting Objects

2. Simon Says Math

3. Garbage

4. Pattern Block Pictures

5. Outdoor Number Hop

8 Math Instructional Strategies to Engage Students

Key takeaways

Using a variety of math instructional strategies across the week keeps students engaged and helps identify gaps in understanding

Strategies like number talks, math journaling, graphic organizers, and cooperative learning develop reasoning skills alongside math fluency

Cultivating a growth mindset is the most important of all instructional strategies for math—it builds the confidence students need to persist through challenges

1. “Common Sense” Number Talks

2. Math Journaling

3. Graphic Organizers

4. Cooperative Learning

Explore K-8 Math Resources

5. Math Games

6. Differentiated Instruction

7. Explicit Teacher Modeling

8. Growth Mindset

Elementary Math Teaching Guide: Strategies That Work

Key takeaways

Elementary math focuses on foundational skills and concepts to develop number sense, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding

Identifying clear objectives and learning goals will help teachers determine which strategies to use

Celebrating progress over perfection is a key way to build students’ courage and confidence in math

What does elementary math typically focus on?

Number Sense

Operations and Computational Fluency