Welcome back, listeners, to Diverse Thinking Different Learning! In this episode, we’re having a conversation with Dr. Sarah Powell, a distinguished professor at the University of Texas at Austin and Associate Director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. Dr. Powell’s expertise in math education sheds light on effective strategies to support students who face challenges with math!

The discussion explores the crucial role early math education plays in shaping a student's future academic success, emphasizing that early struggles can lead to long-term difficulties if not addressed properly. Dr. Powell elaborates on how cumulative math skills impact later learning, stressing the importance of early intervention and continuous support throughout a student’s educational journey.

Dr. Powell also highlights several best practices for math instruction, including the use of multiple representations to deepen understanding and systematic, explicit teaching methods to ensure mastery of concepts. She also addresses the role of math vocabulary and its significance in helping students grasp mathematical ideas more effectively.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into how targeted interventions and effective teaching strategies can make a significant difference in students' math achievements. If you are an educator yourself seeking to enhance your math instruction or perhaps a parent looking to support your child's learning, this episode of the show is sure to offer practical advice and actionable strategies to help all students excel in math!

Show Notes:

[3:14] - Early math performance predicts future success, making early intervention important for long-term achievement. [6:06] - Dr. Powell points out how schools often prioritize reading over math, but early math interventions are just as important. [9:01] - Dr. Powell argues that teaching math vocabulary is essential for understanding concepts and participating effectively in the classroom. [11:59] - Difficulties in math may be linked to language issues, including reading, writing, and speaking. [13:04] - Using multiple representations, like manipulatives and drawings, can help students better understand math concepts. [15:24] - Dr. Powel feels that students should understand math deeply by using various representations, not just by memorizing symbols. [18:55] - Identifying common mistakes better helps target instruction than addressing isolated mistakes. [20:02] - Dr. Powell argues that effective math learning involves modeling, repeated practice, and building fluency through both speed and accuracy. [23:53] - Incorporating short fluency practices into the school day enhances math skills and helps reduce cognitive overload. [25:34] - Older students should develop fluency to avoid using basic strategies like tick marks, which can lead to mistakes. [26:55] - Effective strategies for solving word problems include the U.P.S. check method and recognizing common problem types. [31:16] - Dr. Powell explains how parents can help with word problems by discussing the problem and identifying consistent frameworks. [32:43] - Parents can also support math learning through discussions, games, and incorporating math into daily activities. [35:25] - Engaging in practical math activities, like measuring ingredients, makes math fun and relevant! [38:57] - For additional support, resources include emailing Dr. Powell as well as videos on representations, a free math course, and teacher-friendly materials!

About Our Guest:

Dr. Sarah R. Powell is a Professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin and Associate Director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. Her research, teaching, and service focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently. Dr. Powell is currently Principal Investigator (PI) of an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) efficacy grant (RAAMPS) related to word-problem solving at Grade 4. Dr. Powell is also PI of SPIRAL, an IES grant which works collaboratively with Grade 4 and 5 teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students with mathematics difficulty. Dr. Powell is Co-PI of STAIR 2.0 (funded by IES) in which the team works with middle school special education math teachers and SCALE (funded by the US Department of Education) in which the team is replicating a fraction intervention in Grades 4-8. Dr. Powell collaborates on Math Words, an IES development grant about mathematics vocabulary. She also assists with a word-problem project funded as a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to Querium. To help create the next generation of researchers focused on mathematics, Dr. Powell is PI of a doctoral leadership grant (LIME) funded by Office of Special Education Programs. Dr. Powell was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2019. Dr. Powell understands all of these efforts are a team effort, and she thanks her project leads, graduate students, research assistants, and research collaborators as well as the teachers and students who participate in these projects.

Links and Related Resources:

• ChildNEXUS - “Important Components of Effective Math Intervention”

• Diverse Thinking Diverse Learning - “Ep. 60: A Multisensory Intervention for Kids Who Struggle with Math with Adrianne Meldrum”

• Diverse Thinking Diverse Learning - “Ep. 122: Accommodations for Students Who Struggle with Math with Adrianne Meldrum”

• “Intensive Intervention in Mathematics Course Content”

• “Specialized Math Intervention to Reach All Learners”

• “Pirate Math Equation Quest”

• Texas SPED Support - “Instructional Routines for Mathematics Intervention”

• YouTube - Project STAIR

Connect with Dr. Sarah Powell:

• The University of Texas at Austin College of Education - Dr. Sarah Powell

• Email: [email protected] 

• Phone: 15124756556

Connect with Us:

• Get on our Email List

• Book a Consultation

• Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider

• Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses for Better Understanding and Supporting Your Child with ADHD, Dyslexia & Anxiety

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.