April 29, 2025 13:56 S2:E29

The Geo Board Hack That Fixed Handwriting AND Math Anxiety! S2 E29

In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, we delve into how a simple tool—the geo board—can yield surprising results for students who struggle with note-taking, handwriting, or traditional seated learning. Join Cheri, Jonily, and Natalie as they explore how vertical surfaces, flow state, and insights from occupational therapy are revolutionizing math classrooms. From "Teenage Tummy Time" to duct-taped binders turned into slant boards, this episode is full of strategies you can use tomorrow.

🔗 Find the full Geo Board training module: https://disabilitylabs.com

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BOOKS

Making Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64K

Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7

Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.

Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2024.

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TIME CODES

00:00 – The power of vertical whiteboards for struggling students

01:00 – Welcome to the Geo Board episode: OT meets math

02:00 – Building Thinking Classrooms shoutout & Peter Liljedahl

03:30 – The missing neuroscience behind vertical surface learning

04:30 – Natalie on student engagement and focus at the boards

06:00 – Wrist extension, muscle development, and vertical writing

07:00 – "Teenage Tummy Time" and reducing gravity’s impact

08:00 – OT assessments, design copying, and unstructured geo board play

09:00 – Engaging the senses: why spatial design matters

10:00 – Brain science is Natalie’s new passion

10:45 – Desk adaptations using 3-ring binders

12:00 – Binder hacks for seating and footrests

12:45 – Duct tape tips for sensory-friendly writing

13:30 – Outro: Where to find the full Geo Board course

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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIy

AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029

This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.

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MISSION

Minds on Math, LLC: To provide engaging, high-quality professional development and instructional coaching for teachers to improve student achievement and understanding of mathematics.

Dotterer Educational Consulting, a Therapy Services, LLC company: To provide professional development to improve writing skills through efficient lesson planning for regular education classrooms.

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FREE RESOURCES

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-8523599443

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cheri-dotterer-classroom-coach-18603393525

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Other ways to connect with Jonily and Cheri

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventions

IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/

https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/

X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer