Little Problem Solvers

An introductory lesson on multiplication using equal groups and pairs, themed around magical elves making toys, foraging in the forest, and packing items. Students transition from concrete counting to skip counting and basic multiplication concepts.

A magical introduction to subtraction within 10 using cross-out strategies with glowing stars, pixie dust, and magical gems.

An introductory math lesson focused on picture addition up to 5 using cute elven items and forest treasures, designed to engage early kindergarteners in basic counting and operations.

Scaffolded practice activities ('Skill Missions') that review key concepts: linear equations, systems, sequences, lines of best fit, and factoring. These activities ensure students have the foundational skills needed for their final project.

A high-intensity, 2-hour math simulation where students act as lead consultants. They complete a scaffolded Skill Warmup before choosing one of four career paths (Music, Urban, Rocket, or Sports) to solve real-world "Work Orders" and delivering an Executive Pitch.

A civic-minded math lesson where students analyze real-world data from the 2022 midterm elections. Students learn to navigate complex infographics using structured reading strategies and tackle data-driven math questions with supportive step-by-step checklists.

A math lesson focused on solving and interpreting 4-digit by 1-digit division word problems with remainders in a mountain climbing theme. Includes task cards, a recording sheet, and a detailed teacher answer guide.

Introduces early 3-digit numbers (100-120), visual skip-counting (2s, 5s, 10s) using constellation maps, and ordering cosmic objects to build sequential logic.

Focuses on identifying double-digit numbers (10-99), representing them using ten-frames and printable base-ten icons, and writing numbers in expanded place value charts (tens and ones) with clear physical boundaries.

Covers single-digit subtraction (1-9) with cosmic countdowns, crossing-out stars or rocket fuel cells, embedded touch-points for backwards counting, and structured workspace templates.

Focuses on single-digit addition (1-9) using embedded touch-point numbers, pictorial representations of spaceships and stars, a persistent 1-20 number path, and large guided workspace boxes for physical alignment.

Week 4 is the capstone week where students synthesize their additive and subtractive decimal skills in the context of money. They solve multi-step commercial transactions, balance credit records, and purchase starship upgrades.

Week 3 focuses on partitioning, equivalent fractions, and adding or subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. Students practice fair-sharing reactor cores, dividing cargo weight, and mapping stellar orbits using fraction bars.

Week 2 focuses on mastering whole-number regrouping and multi-column carrying in the context of starship cargo inventories. Students use base-10 blocks to bundle ones into tens and tens into hundreds, bridging visual modeling directly to standard vertical algorithms.