Do flashcards help improve basic numeracy skills?

Should we use calculators as a special education accommodation? 

How many years of math do we really need to take in high school? 

I invited math curriculum expert Jonathan Regino to episode 123 of the De Facto Leaders podcast to answer some of these questions. 

With the Science of Reading on the forefront in many districts, we’re starting to have a better understanding of the scope and sequence of English and Language Arts; but this doesn’t always translate over to math curriculum.

Jonathan Regino is a highly accomplished educator with a diverse range of experiences in the field of education. Beginning as a middle school math and science teacher in Pennsylvania, he quickly established himself as a dedicated and passionate educator. Transitioning from the classroom, Jonathan became a Teaching and Learning Specialist at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, providing invaluable support to educators and enhancing teaching practices throughout the County. As an Educational Consultant with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education, he developed strategies for working with students with special needs within the math and STEM Classrooms. Jonathan's work as a curriculum developer at Age of Learning and as a facilitator and program manager for Code.org in Eastern PA showcased his commitment to innovative learning experiences and computer science education. His current role is Supervisor of Math at the Interboro School District in Pennsylvania.

In this conversation, we discussed range of topics, including:

✅Common “gatekeeper” skills for math that can predict as well as prevent success with more advanced math concepts. 

✅The ins and outs of common math interventions and accommodations: Including when and how we should allow calculators or use math flashcards.

✅How to use the Concrete-Representational-Abstract model to teach numeracy and understanding of print symbols. 

✅Just how often are teachers searching for supplemental math materials, and how is this impacting equity? 

You can connect with Jonathan on Twitter @jred530 and on LinkedIn here. 

Resources mentioned in this episode include his presentation:

Creating Equitable Systems for the Struggling Student

The Science of Math 

Implementation of K-12 State Standards for Math and ELA

The Opportunity Myth 

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program for related service providers who want to take a leadership role in implementing executive functioning support. You can learn more about the program here. 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

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