Mr. Lee's Learners

Math intervention can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be frustrating when students aren't making the progress we expect. Over the years, I've learned that sometimes the biggest barriers to student growth aren't the students themselves—it's the instructional decisions we make. Here are seven common math intervention mistakes I've seen and what to do instead. 1. Focusing on Procedures Before Understanding Many struggling students can memorize steps without understanding why those steps work. For example, a student may correctly solve a subtraction problem using a standard algorithm but have little understanding of place value. Connecting Ten Frame Trays Amazon Product Description Try This Instead Begin with concrete and visual models before moving to abstract procedures. Use manipulatives, drawings, and number talks to help students build conceptual understanding. 2. Moving Too Quickly Through Skills When intervention groups move at the same pace as the class...

Number sense is the foundation of mathematical success. Students who develop strong number sense are better able to solve problems, recognize patterns, and apply efficient strategies when working with numbers. As a math interventionist, I've found that small group instruction provides the perfect opportunity to strengthen number sense skills through hands-on activities and meaningful mathematical discussions. Here are 10 number sense activities that I regularly use during intervention groups.  These activities are particularly important for kindergarten and first grade groups that provide the foundation for future grades.   1. Quick Dot Images Show students a dot image for 2–3 seconds and ask them how many dots they saw. Encourage students to explain how they knew the quantity rather than simply counting each dot. This activity helps students: Subitize quantities Recognize number patterns Build mental math skills Classroom Tip:  Ask students, "What did you see?" instead o...

When working with students who need additional support in math, having the right tools can make a significant difference. I just completed my third year as a math interventionist.  Over those three years I've found that a handful of supplies consistently help students build number sense, stay engaged, and better understand mathematical concepts. If I could only choose five supplies for math intervention, I would start with dry erase markers, magnetic ten frames, two-color counters, dry erase erasers, and linking cubes. These tools support number sense, problem solving, and student engagement across multiple grade levels. 1. EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers One of the most effective ways to increase student participation is to give every student a way to show their thinking. Dry erase markers allow students to solve problems, demonstrate strategies, and make corrections without worrying about mistakes becoming permanent. I use whiteboards regularly for: Number sense activities Fact f...

As mid-July hits, the Fourth of July holiday is in the rearview window, teachers find themselves in that strange summer limbo. Some are already shopping for back-to-school supplies, while others are still fully in beach mode (and rightfully so!). If you're somewhere in the middle—itching to feel  a little  more prepared without diving headfirst into full-on school mode—this post is for you. Here are five low-pressure ways to get your mindset and systems ready while still soaking up the last few weeks of summer: 1.  Reflect on What Worked (and What Didn't) Grab a notebook, open your notes app, or just take a quiet walk and think back on last year: What routines made your life easier? What was more stressful than it needed to be? Is there something you promised yourself you'd do differently next year? 2.  Declutter One Digital Space Instead of trying to reorganize your whole Google Drive, just pick one folder: Maybe it's your "End of Year" files or your math cen...

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is at the heart of every successful classroom. Helping students believe in themselves, bounce back from challenges, and treat others with kindness is just as important as mastering math facts or reading fluency. That’s why I created this set of  25 SEL Motivational Coloring Pages —a fun and purposeful way to build a positive classroom culture while giving students space to express themselves creatively. Why Motivational Coloring Pages Work These aren’t your average coloring sheets! Each page features a kid-friendly  positive affirmation or growth mindset phrase  to help students internalize important SEL messages like: “I Can Do Hard Things” “Mistakes Help Me Grow” “My Voice Matters” “Kindness is Cool” Students color while reflecting on these ideas, often leading to powerful classroom conversations and lasting mindset shifts. Classroom Uses for SEL Coloring Pages Whether you teach kindergarten or upper elementary, these pages are flexible a...

If you're working with students who are still developing strong number sense, especially with numbers 0 through 20, double ten frame cards are an essential tool to add to your math instruction toolkit. Whether you teach kindergarten or early elementary students, these cards can help children make sense of quantities, subitize, and build a firm foundation in math fluency. This set of  Double Ten Frame Cards  to help students visualize numbers in different ways and increase their flexibility with composing and decomposing numbers. There are a total of 168 cards included in this resource with 8 cards of each number.  These cards are easy to prep, simple to use, and incredibly versatile! Why Use Double Ten Frames? Double ten frames help students: Understand numbers beyond 10 in a visual format See how numbers are composed (5 + 7 = 12) and decomposed (12 = 10 + 2) Develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts Build confidence in working with teen numbers Classroom & ...

As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, keeping students engaged becomes more challenging—and more important! That’s why I love using seasonal, high-interest stories to wrap up the year with both fun and purpose. One of my favorite ways to end the school year is with a  Reader’s Theater Companion for  The Night Before Summer Vacation  by Natasha Wing . It’s low prep, fun for students, and packed with learning value! What’s Included in This End-of-Year Reader’s Theater Resource? This engaging packet is a companion to the much-loved book  The Night Before Summer Vacation , a rhyming tale that captures the excitement (and chaos!) of preparing for a big summer trip. Here’s what’s included: Reader’s Theater Scripts for 2 and 3 students  – Perfect for partners or small groups. A  Summer-Themed Word Search  to reinforce vocabulary in a fun, independent activity. Answer Key  for easy grading or self-checking. 5 Summer-Themed Coloring Pa...