Which Math Intervention Program Is Right for You?

If you’re a teacher or interventionist looking for the right math intervention program, you’ve probably realized there’s no shortage of options.

Some are highly scripted. Some are completely open-ended. Some hand you a pile of resources with no direction. And some promise a year’s worth of instruction for $20 in the form of a “binder of worksheets.”

So… which one do you choose?

Let’s walk through a few common options, what they offer, and what to watch for—so you can decide what fits your students, your setting, and your teaching style.

Which Math Intervention Program Is Right for You?

If you’re a teacher or interventionist looking for the right math intervention program, you’ve probably realized there’s no shortage of options.

Some are highly scripted. Some are completely open-ended. Some hand you a pile of resources with no direction. And some promise a year’s worth of instruction for $20 in the form of a “binder of worksheets.”

So… which one do you choose?

Let’s walk through a few common options, what they offer, and what to watch for so you can decide what fits your students, your setting, and your teaching style.

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What Makes a Strong Math Intervention Program?

Before we dive into the comparison, it helps to have a quick checklist. A strong math intervention program should:

• Be explicit and systematic, with clear modeling, guided practice, corrective feedback, and cumulative review
• Target critical content: whole number operations in K–5 and rational numbers in upper elementary
• Follow a CRA progression (concrete → representational → abstract)
• Include daily fluency practice, helping students build quick retrieval of basic facts
• Support problem-solving with structured strategies
• Incorporate visual representations like number lines, arrays, and strip diagrams
• Provide frequent progress monitoring to adjust instruction based on student response
• Be realistic to implement, especially in short, focused intervention blocks

These points are drawn from the WWC Practice Guide on Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics, a research-based resource from the Institute of Education Sciences.

Comparing K–5 Math Intervention Programs

Here’s a breakdown of some programs teachers often consider:

Program	Structure	Educational Philosophy	Strengths	Best For
Do the Math	Scripted modules by operation/topic	Explicit instruction with a procedural foundation	Research-based; fluency built-in; easy to follow	Elementary teachers with dedicated intervention blocks
TouchMath	Tactile counting with numeral-based cues	Behaviorist & Multi-Sensory; focused on accuracy and memorization	Easy entry for early learners; strong visual/tactile cues	Teachers in primary or self-contained settings needing structure
Bridges Interventions	Activity-based games and visual models	Constructivist; emphasizes concept-building through exploration	CRA-aligned; hands-on and engaging	Teachers who enjoy open-ended exploration and are supplementing Tier 1 or enrichment time
iReady Teacher Toolbox	Resource bank with mini-lessons	Mixed—depends on teacher implementation	Easy to find skill-specific tasks; flexible use	Confident teachers supplementing other programs or designing their own path
5-Day Focus (The Math Spot)	5-day skill-based cycle (CRA-aligned)	Conceptual + strategic; blends explicit instruction with student thinking	Clear progression; includes assessment and independent practice; supports number sense and fluency; realistic and flexible	Teachers who want a structured, flexible, research-informed approach

Let’s Talk About the Binder of Worksheets

You’ve seen the ads:
📂 “A full year of K–5 intervention worksheets for just $20!”

It seems like a steal. But here’s the truth:

• There’s no progression.
• There’s no instruction—just pages.
• There’s no CRA structure, no number sense work, no strategy development.
• It’s not an intervention. It’s a stack of practice sheets.

And while worksheets can be a helpful tool inside an intentional plan, they are not a plan by themselves. A binder full of worksheets is not a math intervention strategy. Students need guided instruction, meaningful models, and the chance to understand what they’re doing, not just fill in blanks.

A Closer Look at Each Program

Do the Math
Do the Math offers a highly structured, skill-based approach, with scripted modules that walk students through operations, number sense, and fractions. Its clear sequence and built-in fluency practice make it appealing for elementary classrooms where time is carved out for intervention.

TouchMath
TouchMath is designed with strong visual and tactile support, using dots on numerals to guide students through counting-based procedures. It’s most commonly used in primary and special education settings where consistency and structure are key. That said, it focuses heavily on procedures and often lacks opportunities for developing conceptual understanding or strategic thinking—especially for older elementary students.

Bridges Interventions
Bridges Interventions emphasizes exploration, games, and visual models aligned with the CRA framework. It provides engaging, hands-on tasks that build understanding through meaningful contexts. While teachers often praise its design, the open-ended nature of many activities can present challenges in Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention settings, where focused instruction and clear pacing are essential.

iReady Teacher Toolbox
The iReady Teacher Toolbox provides a library of mini-lessons and materials aligned to individual standards, giving teachers quick access to skill-specific resources. It’s flexible, easy to search, and widely used. However, it is more of a resource and less of a cohesive progression or instructional framework, leaving the responsibility for lesson sequencing, fluency building, and deeper conceptual work to the teacher.

5-Day Focus (The Math Spot)
5-Day Focus was developed to fill the gap between rigid, one-size-fits-all programs and resource banks that require significant teacher prep. Each unit targets a single skill over five days using a CRA-aligned structure, embedded number sense and fluency, emphasized daily independent practice and built-in assessment. It’s designed to be both systematic and flexible, helping teachers meet students where they are and move them forward. Unlike many programs, 5-Day Focus is priced for individual teachers, making it accessible without a district purchase order.

A Note About Cost (and Accessibility)

One thing that makes 5-Day Focus different from many of the programs above is that it’s actually priced with teachers in mind. You don’t need a district-level budget or a thousand-dollar quote to get started. For well under $100, you can grab the complete curriculum for your grade level—a full year of CRA-aligned math intervention that includes built-in pre- and post-assessments, independent practice, and a clear instructional path. If you support multiple grades, bundle options with teacher-accessible pricing are also available.

Final Thoughts: You Know Your Students Best

The best math intervention program is the one that helps your students grow—and that you can actually implement.

Whether you choose a formal curriculum, a resource bank, or a flexible structure like 5-Day Focus, what matters most is that it supports:

• Real understanding
• Student success
• And your role as an expert educator

Want to take a closer look at the 5-Day Focus approach? Check it out here