I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about multiplication and how to build students’ fluency with math facts (clearly!). By now, you know that I strongly believe that we need to build students’ conceptual understanding of ... Read More
The Benefits of a Blank Multiplication Table to Build Conceptual Understanding
Last week we tackled a highly debated topic in the elementary math world: to post or not to post a multiplication table. In third grade, students should develop a conceptual understanding of multiplication, and the use of a ... Read More
The Multiplication Chart – To Post or Not To Post?
Knowing how important multiplication fact fluency is, I decided to share what might be a controversial take on the multiplication chart in third grade. Are you ready? I don’t recommend posting a multiplication chart or poster ... Read More

Free Math Centers
Looking for a fun way to help your students master their math facts? These free math centers are so engaging, they won't even realize they’re learning! (Available for addition and multiplication!)
Counting Activities to Boost Deep Conversations
I am so excited to be back today to talk more about counting activities and discussions. In our previous post, we talked about Counting Objects, and how to use Counting Collections to create hands-on experiences. Today we will dive ... Read More
Counting Objects: Using Collections to Create Hands-On Experiences
When we think about counting, what comes to mind first: Reciting a series of numbers or physically counting objects? Counting is frequently thought of as learning to say a sequence of numbers. However, students’ ability to recite ... Read More
9 Powerful Strategies to Engage Students in Math Discourse
Have you ever had students who can compute with ease, but then struggle to talk about the math they're doing? Engaging in math discourse is a skill, and one that we get to help develop as teachers. If you’ve followed me for a bit, ... Read More