If you’ve ever wondered what to actually do during small group time in math, this episode will give you a clear and practical way to support students without lowering expectations.

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Description:

Small group instruction is a common part of math classrooms—but when it comes time to actually sit down with a group of students, many teachers are left wondering what they should be doing. Should you reteach the lesson? Provide more practice? Or try something completely different?

The answer isn’t about creating a whole new lesson. Instead, effective tier 2 instruction is about helping students access the same rigorous math as their peers—but with the right supports in place. By using formative assessment to understand where students are along the concrete, representational, and abstract continuum, teachers can provide targeted scaffolds that move students forward. The key is not lowering expectations, but removing barriers so every student can engage with the learning.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• What tier 2 math instruction should (and shouldn’t) look like
• Why small group time isn’t about reteaching the same lesson
• How to use the CRA (concrete, representational, abstract) model effectively
• What it means to provide “access” to grade-level math
• How to decide when students are ready to move on
• The role of high-quality instructional materials and manipulatives

Show Notes Page

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Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.