A Framework You Need To Create A Math Improvement Plan For Your School or District
Why You Need This Strategic Math Planning Framework
Here’s a confession: One of us, years ago, once tried to overhaul an entire school district’s math program with a five-page wishlist and a dream.
Spoiler alert? It flopped.
We thought if we just focused on these important things—assessment practices, productive struggle, belief systems, professional development, all of it—somehow it would all come together like a magic math quilt.
But the reality?
Nothing stuck.
Everyone was overwhelmed, including me.
It was like trying to teach calculus to a class still struggling with fractions—literally and metaphorically.
Eventually, I learned the hard way that meaningful change in math education doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing less—with laser-sharp focus (this is where our 4-stage process was born).
Trying to change everything at once is the fastest way to change absolutely nothing.
You’ve got to focus on one or two real priorities—objectives that actually shift practice, build confidence, and create momentum.
Clarity wins.
Alignment wins.
And most importantly?
Simplicity wins.
Most schools and districts we first meet with aren’t struggling because they don’t care or aren’t trying—they’re struggling because they’re focused on too much – and they focus on the vehicle instead of the destination → “we’re all in on BTC” instead of focusing on what BTC is actually providing for your students.
They’re drowning in action items, measuring everything except what actually matters, and hoping PD days magically fix belief gaps.
Learn & Apply The Components Of This Essential Framework
That’s why this video from inside our support program Roadmap For Math Improvement course exists—to show you a clearer path to building a math program that focuses on the right things.
One that isn’t bloated, chaotic, or built on unrealistic expectations.
This framework helps you design goals with precision, so you can execute with flexibility.
No fluff. No burnout.
Just real traction.
To avoid getting stuck spinning your district wheels, buried under too many goals with not enough impact—this framework video, pulled from the Make Math Moments Improvement Program is your lifeline.
Cut the chaos. Focus on what actually matters. Watch now and start building a math improvement plan that works. 🎧
Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.
Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.
LESSONS TO MAKE MATH MOMENTS
Each lesson consists of:
Each Make Math Moments Problem Based Lesson consists of a Teacher Guide to lead you step-by-step through the planning process to ensure your lesson runs without a hitch!
Each Teacher Guide consists of:
- Intentionality of the lesson;
- A step-by-step walk through of each phase of the lesson;
- Visuals, animations, and videos unpacking big ideas, strategies, and models we intend to emerge during the lesson;
- Sample student approaches to assist in anticipating what your students might do;
- Resources and downloads including Keynote, Powerpoint, Media Files, and Teacher Guide printable PDF; and,
- Much more!
Each Make Math Moments Problem Based Lesson begins with a story, visual, video, or other method to Spark Curiosity through context.
Students will often Notice and Wonder before making an estimate to draw them in and invest in the problem.
After student voice has been heard and acknowledged, we will set students off on a Productive Struggle via a prompt related to the Spark context.
These prompts are given each lesson with the following conditions:
- No calculators are to be used; and,
- Students are to focus on how they can convince their math community that their solution is valid.
Students are left to engage in a productive struggle as the facilitator circulates to observe and engage in conversation as a means of assessing formatively.
The facilitator is instructed through the Teacher Guide on what specific strategies and models could be used to make connections and consolidate the learning from the lesson.
Often times, animations and walk through videos are provided in the Teacher Guide to assist with planning and delivering the consolidation.
A review image, video, or animation is provided as a conclusion to the task from the lesson.
While this might feel like a natural ending to the context students have been exploring, it is just the beginning as we look to leverage this context via extensions and additional lessons to dig deeper.
At the end of each lesson, consolidation prompts and/or extensions are crafted for students to purposefully practice and demonstrate their current understanding.
Facilitators are encouraged to collect these consolidation prompts as a means to engage in the assessment process and inform next moves for instruction.
In multi-day units of study, Math Talks are crafted to help build on the thinking from the previous day and build towards the next step in the developmental progression of the concept(s) we are exploring.
Each Math Talk is constructed as a string of related problems that build with intentionality to emerge specific big ideas, strategies, and mathematical models.
Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons and Day 1 Teacher Guides are openly available for you to leverage and use with your students without becoming a Make Math Moments Academy Member.
Use our OPEN ACCESS multi-day problem based units!
Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons and Day 1 Teacher Guides are openly available for you to leverage and use with your students without becoming a Make Math Moments Academy Member.
Partitive Division Resulting in a Fraction
Equivalence and Algebraic Substitution
Represent Categorical Data & Explore Mean
Downloadable resources including blackline masters, handouts, printable Tips Sheets, slide shows, and media files do require a Make Math Moments Academy Membership.
Use our OPEN ACCESS multi-day problem based units!
