So, like an academic progress detective you’ve done that hard part- you’ve identified where the learning gaps are for your students in math. You’ve pinpointed which standards need reinforcement – but what’s the next step? Once you have that data in your hands, what do you actually DO with it? It’s time for one of the best parts of the day… math interventions and small group work!

 Planning Math Interventions Around A Specific Goal

When planning math interventions we’re focusing on deeper, not wider knowledge. If you’re still in the assessment phase and are feeling stuck please read the post How To Use Math Assessment Data To Identify Math Gaps to help you figure out what those specific goals should be.

Planning Effective Math Interventions

We like to include these five parts for a strong intervention lesson:

1. Set-Up (review and practice of skills already mastered)
2. Teach (model and teach the new concept)
3. Engage (teacher-led practice with the new concept)
4. Practice (extended practice with the new concept)
5. Show You Know (a quick check of skill progress/ mastery)

These five parts go hand in hand with the I Do, We Do, You Do model. Let’s walk through how to use these with a sample lesson on place value to the hundreds place.

1) Set-Up & Teach (I Do)

For the first 3-5 minutes it’s a good idea to get kids warmed up with an activity that reviews previously mastered skills. To make transitions smoother, set the expectation that as kids arrive at the small group table, they grab the review activity out of a tub and get to work right away. This ensures nobody is sitting around getting antsy and that you’re taking full advantage of all that precious instructional time. 

Place value mats with base ten blocks are an easy and quick review activity. Simply write 2-digit numbers on a board or give your students dice to roll so they can create their own. They can quietly build numbers to review. If you don’t have physical manipulatives you can download printable base ten blocks. Another handy tool to have on hand for teaching in small groups is a mini anchor chart! If you want to save some money, here are step by step directions for making one!

2) Engage & Practice (We Do)

The next 3-5 minutes are spent modeling and teaching the new concept. For this sample lesson, we’re introducing/re-introducing the hundreds place. You can continue using place value mats, base ten blocks, and work in some place value chips (these are also part of the Math Kit). Practice using the hundreds place with a hands-on activity like Place Value Popsicles. Work on this activity as a group and check in with each individual student to ensure understanding.

3) Show You Know (You Do)

You’ll want to spend the most time in the “practice” stage of the intervention lesson. We recommend around 15 minutes so your students have plenty of time to turn the new concept into a habit! Gradually release students to work on the Place Value Popsicle with a peer then independently to show mastery. 

Conclude your math intervention lesson with a quick check for understanding. This doesn’t have to be a new activity. You can ask students to demonstrate the practice activity one last time without any teacher guidance.

The student data booklet has a page for demonstrating knowledge of place value to the hundreds place using base ten blocks.

If you want a different activity to assess or grade you can grab the Place Value Interactive Notebook activity or Place Value Toothy and have students complete it. Once you feel your students have achieved mastery and are ready to move on to their next skill celebrate by coloring in the smiley face for the, ” I can identify place value of 3-digit numbers” in their student data booklet. Every success is worth celebrating! 

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