Evidence-based instructional strategies

Focusing on the five mathematical practices of strategies for problem-solving, instruction and use of formal mathematical language to promote mathematical discourse, use of the concrete-representational-abstract sequence to scaffold learning, use of explicit instruction, and ensuring fact and computational fluency in all students leads to a firm foundation in the conceptual understanding of mathematics. The following aims to provide you with resources to help you incorporate each of these practices into your Tier 1 instruction and/or part of specially designed instruction for students with disabilities. 

What problem-solving strategies can support my students? 

 

How can I build my students’ understanding of formal mathematical language?

 

What is the Concrete-Representational-Abstract Instructional Approach? 

  • Hands-on Standards guidebooks (Available for grades K-8): Step by step guidebooks to help you teach students the conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts using the CRA framework.
  • Here is a list of mathematics manipulatives available in the T/TAC library: T/TAC Library Math Manipulatives -- 2020 update.pdf

 

What is explicit instruction and how can it support mathematical instruction and learning?

  • Fraction Face-Off!! 
    • Check out this hands-on mathematics intervention for fraction understanding from our 
  • Hands-on Standards guidebooks (Available for grades K-8): Step by step guidebooks to help you teach students the conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts using the CRA framework.
  • Solve-It!: A research-based instructional strategy to help students with developing a strategy for solving word problems. 
    • Excerpt about Solve-It! 
    • Contact the T/TAC at VCU to get more information and support with implementation of this strategy. 

 

How can I build my students’ fact and computational fluency?

  • Solve-It!: A research-based instructional strategy to help students with developing a strategy for solving word problems. 
    • Contact the T/TAC at VCU to get more information and support with implementation of this strategy. 

 

Where can I learn more?

For more information on each of these practices, check out the VDOE’s Evidence-Based Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics Resource Guide.