Rethinking Math Education Part 4: S2 E27

April 15, 2025 · 32 min

Part 4 of 4

In this episode, Cheri and Jonily discuss breaking down the essential concepts in mathematics that every student should master, the power of reference tasks, and strategies to individualize learning with less prep and stress for teachers. They also explore how functional skills intersect with math learning and how to make math accessible to all students without lowering rigor.

We’ve separated this workshop into four parts. Look for all four episodes.

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RESOURCES/COURSES MENTIONED

Tier 1 Interventions Workshops https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshops

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BOOKS

Making Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64K

Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7

Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.

Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2024.

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TIME CODES

00:20 – Today’s Topic: The Paint Problem

00:34 – What is Tier 1? Why it matters

01:00 – The problem with pull-out interventions

01:22 – Recap from last week: “Why?”

01:33 – The power of movement for attention and focus

02:02 – Brain science: Why spinning helps focus

02:24 – Activating the brain through controlled movement

02:36 – Traditional classroom expectations and their pitfalls

03:17 – Why directions don’t always stick

03:40 – Movement strategies to engage all learners

04:08 – Cheri’s mission: Preaching movement in education

04:11 – Guest insight: Janet’s 7th-grade strategies

04:40 – Crazy 8s and playful engagement

05:14 – Sneaky academic reinforcement through movement

05:23 – More focus triggers and crossing midline

05:38 – Kindergarten example: Using transitions intentionally

06:24 – Wiggle fingers and crossing midline for attention

06:45 – Activating the brain for the next step

07:00 – More examples of focus triggers

07:11 – Brain-body disconnects: Board-to-table transitions

07:34 – Tracking difficulties and the 120 chart

07:53 – It’s more than computation—math is cognitive

08:19 – Invitation to subscribe and share

08:47 – How Tier 1 builds coherence across the classroom

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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIy

AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029

This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.

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MISSION

Minds on Math, LLC: To provide engaging, high-quality professional development and instructional coaching for teachers to improve student achievement and understanding of mathematics.

Dotterer Educational Consulting, a Therapy Services, LLC company: To provide professional development to improve writing skills through efficient lesson planning for regular education classrooms.

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FREE RESOURCES

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-8523599443

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cheri-dotterer-classroom-coach-18603393525

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Other ways to connect with Jonily and Cheri

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventions

IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/

https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/

X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer