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Proactive Mathematics Interventions, Grades 2-5
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Proactive Mathematics Interventions, Grades 2-5
Priming for Success Through Engaging Tasks and Purposeful Design



September 2025 | 448 pages | Corwin

Shifting from remediation to preparation so all students can thrive in mathematics

Traditional math interventions often focus on remediation, addressing gaps only after students have fallen behind. Proactive Mathematics Interventions, Grades 2–5: Priming for Success Through Engaging Tasks and Purposeful Design presents a game-changing approach that shifts the focus from "fixing kids" to fixing systems. Designed with a strengths-based perspective, this resource equips educators to prime students for success by preparing them with the foundational skills and confidence needed for grade-level success and beyond.

Grounded in the latest research, the book tackles critical challenges such as systemic inequities, math anxiety, and gaps in student readiness. By integrating formative assessment, asset-based strategies, and practical intervention tasks, this comprehensive guide supports teachers, math coaches, interventionists, and school leaders to create proactive systems that meet every learner where they’re at.

Packed with 40+ adaptable tasks, more than 100 printable instructional resources, and actionable strategies, this guide

  • Provides a strength-based intervention model to help uncover and build on students’ existing strengths to cultivate their mathematical confidence
  • Gives step-by-step guidance on creating a proactive intervention system—from collaborative planning to formative assessment
  • Includes engaging and adaptable low-floor, high-ceiling tasks to support grade-level instruction on critical mathematical topics
  • Offers voices from the field with real-life success stories from educators implementing proactive strategies in their classrooms, their intervention sessions, and their tutoring sessions

Start transforming your approach to intervention today to make a lasting impact on your student's mathematical successes and identities. This is a must-have tool for educators committed to addressing inequities and redefining intervention, this book ensures every student can be a confident, capable doer of mathematics.


 
Preface
What Is This Book About?

 
Who Is This Book For?

 
How Does This Book Work?

 
More on Priming

 
How Do We Use Certain Language in This Book?

 
Why Do We Choose Certain Terms?

 
How Does Strengths-Based Language Change Mindsets?

 
How Do We Define Terms Throughout the Text?

 
 
Acknowledgements
About the Authors

 
 
Part 1: Introduction to Priming
 
Chapter 1: Introduction. Proactive Intervention: Fixing Structures, Not Children
So What’s the Problem?

 
What’s Being Done?

 
What Needs to Change?

 
What Is the Research Base?

 
Recommendation 1: Systematic Instruction

 
Recommendation 2: Mathematical Language

 
Recommendation 3: Representations

 
Recommendation 4: Number Lines

 
Recommendation 5: Word Problems

 
Recommendation 6: Timed Activities

 
When We Talk About Intervention, What Do We Mean?

 
What Do We Mean by Tutoring?

 
What Are Some Key Elements of the Intervention Instruction?

 
Employing Multiple Representations

 
Collaborating Across the Team

 
Using a Preemptive and Proactive Approach

 
What Should We Think About Next?

 
Reflection Opportunities for Chapter 1

 
 
Chapter 2: Characteristics of Effective Strengths-Based Interventions
What Is Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning?

 
What Is the Strengths-Spotting Process

 
Four Steps to Spotting Strengths

 
Example of the Process Using a Student’s Representation

 
How Do We Build Rapport and Relationships?

 
What Does It Mean to Be a Warm Demander?

 
How Can We Integrate Culturally Responsive Mathematics

 
Teaching as We Engage in Intervention Activities?

 
How Can We Leverage Family Involvement in Supporting

 
Math Proactive Intervention?

 
How Can We Help Students Avoid or Overcome Math Anxiety?

 
Reflection Opportunities for Chapter 2

 
 
Chapter 3: Formative Assessment: Targeting and Monitoring Interventions
What Is Formative Assessment, and Why Is It Important?

 
What’s the Role of Summative Assessments?

 
And What About Feedback?

 
How Can We Focus on Formative Assessment in Intervention Settings?

 
Observation Tools

 
Interview Tools

 
Show Me Tool

 
What Is the Importance of Task Selection in Assessment?

 
How Can We Connect Assessment and Instruction?

 
Reflection Opportunities for Chapter 3

 
 
Chapter 4: YOUR TURN: A Proactive Preventative Mathematics Intervention/Tutoring Model in Action
Considering Elements of Your Mathematics Intervention Program

 
How Is Our Approach Different?

 
What Does Planning for Priming Look Like?

 
What Does a Planning Conversation Sound Like?

 
How Do We Connect Strengths-Based Teaching and Formative Assessment?

 
How Can We Communicate Student Progress?

 
What Are Other Considerations We Need to Think About?

 
Staffing

 
Time and Location

 
Program Size

 
Instructional Materials

 
Instruction and Assessment

 
Where Do You Begin Priming Intervention Lessons?

 
What Can We Learn From Listening to the Voices of Others Trying Priming in Their Schools?

 
And Now, It’s Your Turn!

 
Reflection Opportunities for Chapter 4

 
 
Part 2: Putting Priming Into Action
 
Chapter 5 Intervention Tasks
Task 1: Mystery Number Riddles

 
Task 2: Come on Down!

 
Task 3: Trading Places

 
Task 4: Adding It Up

 
Task 5: What’s the Difference?

 
Task 6: Targeted Sum

 
Task 7: Targeted Differences

 
Task 8: Valuable Digits

 
Task 9: Picture This

 
Task 10: Balancing Act

 
Task 11: Escape Room

 
Task 12: Things That Come in Groups

 
Task 13: Garden Spaces

 
Task 14: Build It Bingo

 
Task 15: Rearrange It

 
Task 16: Multiplication Chains

 
Task 17: Speed Estimator

 
Task 18: Magic Pot Patterns

 
Task 19: Fraction Frenzy

 
Task 20: Cake Time

 
Task 21: Line ’Em Up

 
Task 22: To Be or Not to Be: Equivalent Fractions

 
Task 23: Fraction Equivalence Through Quilts and Fringes

 
Task 24: Sport Stats

 
Task 25: Fraction Zap

 
Task 26: Fraction Sums

 
Task 27: Fraction Multiplication: Fundraiser

 
Task 28: Fraction Multiplication: Farmland

 
Task 29: Fraction Races

 
Task 30: Shape Sort

 
Task 31: Alike and Different

 
Task 32: Shape Shifting

 
Task 33: Shapes: Build It!

 
Task 34: What’s My Rule?

 
Task 35: Counting Coins

 
Task 36: Smart About Money

 
Task 37: Measure Up!

 
Task 38: Comparing With Measurement

 
Task 39: On the Edge

 
Task 40: Field Day

 
Task 41: Broken Clock

 
Task 42: Tip and Plot

 
Task 43: Picture Perfect

 
 
References
 
Index

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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ISBN: 9781071973677
$42.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.