• Unpacking Pygmalion: Changing How We Perceive and Talk About Our Students

    Published On: May 4, 2026•By •7.8 min read•Views: 520•Comments Off on Unpacking Pygmalion: Changing How We Perceive and Talk About Our Students•

    Recently, a colleague and I were working with a group of first graders engaged in Choral Counting. At the break, we were reflecting on the lesson with the classroom teacher. I listened as my colleague...

  • Making Sense of Fraction Multiplication

    Published On: April 1, 2026•By •6.4 min read•Views: 2360•Comments Off on Making Sense of Fraction Multiplication•

    When I was in sixth grade, I remember learning how to multiply fractions by multiplying across the tops and the bottoms. The problem 1/2 times 1/2 was easy! All I had to do was multiply...

  • Six Dinner Sid: Bringing Multiplication to Life in Grades 2, 3, & 4

    Published On: March 17, 2026•By •7.2 min read•Views: 838•Comments Off on Six Dinner Sid: Bringing Multiplication to Life in Grades 2, 3, & 4•

    One of my favorite lessons starts with a cat named Sid who lives in a house on Aristotle Street. But he also lives at five other houses on the same street, so he can eat...

  • Pattern Block Fractions: Adding Fractions with Like and Unlike Denominators

    Published On: February 17, 2026•By •7.7 min read•Views: 2118•Comments Off on Pattern Block Fractions: Adding Fractions with Like and Unlike Denominators•

    I was recently visiting some friends at their house in the desert, and one of them was making pancakes for breakfast. “Hey, I’m looking at two recipes,” he called out from the kitchen. “One calls...

  • In the Classroom with Choral Counting

    Published On: January 29, 2026•By •8.4 min read•Views: 1358•Comments Off on In the Classroom with Choral Counting•

    What is Choral Counting? Choral Counting is a routine that helps students notice patterns in our number system and develop their math discourse skills. Choral Counting can also support students’ understanding of counting concepts, place value, and...

  • The Visual Image Math Routine: Stories from Three Transitional Kindergarten Classes

    Published On: January 28, 2026•By •10.2 min read•Views: 998•Comments Off on The Visual Image Math Routine: Stories from Three Transitional Kindergarten Classes•

    Transitional Kindergarten: A Place Where Math Happens Transitional kindergarten provides young children, typically four-year-olds, with an extra year of age-appropriate learning to develop essential academic and social-emotional skills so that they’re well-prepared for kindergarten. It...

  • Writing in Math Class, Part 2: In the Classroom with First Graders

    Published On: January 27, 2026•By •9 min read•Views: 707•Comments Off on Writing in Math Class, Part 2: In the Classroom with First Graders•

    Recently, colleague Karyn Conner and I worked with a group of five first grade teachers in Vista, California. The teachers had just experienced a district-wide professional development day focusing on writing in math class, and...

  • Counting Collections in the Primary Grades

    Published On: September 25, 2025•By •8 min read•Views: 1736•Comments Off on Counting Collections in the Primary Grades•

    What are Counting Collections? When I first heard of Counting Collections, my first thought was, “What’s the big deal?” But as I learned more, I soon realized that this deceivingly simple activity is in fact...

  • Make a Shape! Where Geometry Meets Place Value in First & Second Grade

    Published On: September 25, 2025•By •7.4 min read•Views: 1762•Comments Off on Make a Shape! Where Geometry Meets Place Value in First & Second Grade•

    Have you ever encountered a math activity that is so rich that it addresses multiple topics, spans grade levels, can be used as an assessment, naturally differentiates, and engages children like nobody’s business? Meet Make...