Elementary Math Intervention: The Experts and Strategies I Trust

If you’ve been in my world for a while, you know my focus is secondary math. However, a question I get asked constantly is: "Juliana, what do you recommend for Elementary Intervention?"

While I feel most of my BREAK it Math Intervention Framework does work for elementary (except for one step), I also like to be clear that I’ve never taught elementary math and therefore it doesn’t feel authentic to me to share teaching strategies for a grade and situation I’ve never actually taught in myself. Luckily, I’ve met many amazing math leaders who do focus on elementary math that I can share with you here.

But first, are you wondering what step of my framework I do NOT recommend for Elementary teachers? Step 3: Engage Every Student. Specifically, my Math Wars Method®. Math Wars is a strategy for explicit instruction that I believe is best for older students with years of math failure and trauma. Instead, I believe that Elementary intervention should be focused on contextual and conceptual mathematics. Beyond that, the principles in my framework like meeting a student where they are and dismantling math trauma, remain universal. Here is my curated list of recommendations for high-impact elementary intervention.

1. Six Core Engagement Structures

Which one doesn’t belong, Same and different, Would you rather… structures that can all be introduced without math, have the math layered in, and focus on students' reasoning vs one correct answer. These structures are perfect for secondary and elementary intervention classrooms alike. There are mountains of elementary specific resources on the free WODB site as well as Sue Looney’s SameButDifferentMath.com site. These structures are the ultimate low floor, high ceiling routine that get students comfortable and confident talking about math.

2. Building Thinking Classrooms & Tasks

When it comes to elementary math instruction, I recommend a hands-on, task-based approach. Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms is one of my favorite resources for this. Focus on inquiry and task based problems that require students to think, struggle productively, and collaborate.

3. Word Problem Workshop - Mona Iehl

I highly recommend looking at what Mona Iehl teaches in her book, Word Problem Workshop. Her approach to getting students to grapple with word problems in elementary is the best I’ve seen. It helps students navigate the language of word problems without getting overwhelmed.

4. Mix and Math - Brittany Hege

If you want to make math - especially fractions - tactile, Brittany Hege from Mix and Math is your go-to girl. She has a Free Hands-On Math Workshop that is incredible. She focuses on how to use manipulatives to build deep conceptual understanding, the "Concrete" part of the CRA model that is so vital in intervention. I am a proud member of her community and have learned so much about fraction number sense from Brittany.

5. The Just-in-Time Math Intervention Model 

I always advocate for the Just in Time Intervention model. To do this effectively at the elementary level, look at Achieve the Core. Specifically their "Highlights of Major Work" and “focus documents” for each grade level. It tells you exactly where to focus your energy so you aren't wasting time on minor standards.

6. Content Progressions

Graham Fletcher’s Progression Videos are pure gold. They show you exactly where a concept starts (like addition or multiplication) and where it’s going in elementary grades. If you’re teaching in a multi-grade intervention setting, you can use these videos to tackle one concept all the way through!

My Core Philosophy Remains the Same

The goal of math intervention is to build a bridge between where the student is and where the grade level curriculum needs them to be. Now elementary teachers can use these expert vetted resources to ensure that the bridge is built on a solid foundation of conceptual understanding rather than just rote memorization.