As interventionists and classroom teachers alike know, “math intervention” can mean a hundred different things depending on the setting. This post clears up the confusion and gives you a clear, practical definition plus guidance on how to make the most of your intervention time.
What Is Math Intervention?
What math intervention is... and isn't!
| Math Intervention Is | Math Intervention Is Not |
|---|---|
| Small group or one-on-one instruction | A packet of worksheets |
| Targeted to specific gaps | Reviewing whole-group content |
| Hands-on and visual scaffolds to promote math competency | A "math fact games" group |
| Based on data | Same for every student |
Let’s get this out of the way right now. Math intervention does NOT mean pulling a group of kids aside and helping them to complete their work after a whole group lesson.
What Should I Teach During Math Intervention?
When it comes to math intervention, your time is best spent helping students build a strong understanding of numbers and operations. This focus is directly aligned with the research-based recommendations from What Works Clearinghouse.
Begin by reviewing both your current grade-level standards and those from earlier grades. Wherever your students’ understanding begins to break down, that’s where your instruction should start. Even if the gap traces back several years, it’s important to meet your students at their point of need.
Here’s what that can look like in practice:
A second grader who doesn’t understand that 15 is one ten and five ones is not ready for second grade content. You’ll need to start with place value before they can move forward successfully.
A fifth grader who doesn’t recognize that the 2 in 200 is ten times the value of the 2 in 20 will struggle with decimals until they’ve built a stronger whole number foundation.
If you’re looking for skill-based lessons that are ready to use, my 5-Day Focus Math Intervention units are built to support students from Kindergarten through 4th grade, with 5th grade units coming soon. Each unit is designed to target a specific concept over five days, moving from concrete models to representational thinking and finally to abstract application. The lessons include everything you need—pre-assessments, exit tickets, and independent practice—so you can meet your students right where they are without spending hours planning.
Frequently Asked questions about math intervention
Do Math Centers Count as Math Intervention?
What About an Intervention Binder- Is that Math Intervention?
Targeted Lessons, Independent Practice… What Else Do I Need?
Planning Your Intervention Block? check out this free guide!
