The Secret to Better Focus, Shape Sense, and Math Fluency

What do vestibular reflexes, math standards, and rubber bands have in common? In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri and Jonily unpack the unexpected power of the Geo Board. This tool blends occupational therapy and mathematics to close academic and non-academic gaps in the Tier 1 classroom.
You’ll learn how the Geo Board supports shape sense, measurement, number fluency, and executive functioning, why precision versus accuracy matters, and what happens when kids struggle to switch from vertical to horizontal processing. Additionally, Cheri demonstrates the Handstand Flip—a simple movement hack that engages the whole brain and prepares students to learn.
🎯 Topics include:
Measurement as a gateway to number sense
Geo Board strategies from K to Algebra
Math standards alignment across grade levels
Non-academic interventions that change classroom behavior
These insights help ALL learners succeed
🔗 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
01:35 – The Geo Board as a Reference Task
03:00 – Strategic Use of Geo Boards in Tier 1 Classrooms
05:15 – Identifying Students Who Benefit Most
06:45 – Why Measurement, Money, and Time Are Struggles
08:20 – Measurement as a Tool to Build Number Sense
09:50 – Connecting Shape to Fluency and Equations
10:40 – Precision vs Accuracy in Learning
12:00 – What’s Inside the Geo Board Module?
13:00 – Math Standards Supported by Geo Board
15:10 – Math Practices: Modeling, Tools, and Repetition
17:05 – The Role of Spaced Practice
18:30 – Chunk Zero: Vertical vs Horizontal Processing
21:00 – Vestibular Reflexes and Visual Tracking
24:00 – Simple Classroom Interventions (slant boards, standing, scaffolding)
27:45 – Activating the Body: Prepping for Learning
29:30 – The Handstand Flip Exercise Demo
31:45 – Why Strength Matters for Writing and Attention
33:00 – Fall Recovery, Forearm Strength, and OT Insights
35:00 – Summary of Non-Academic Tier 1 Interventions
36:00 – Closing: Learn More at DisabilityLabs.com
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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
    https://twitter.com/mindsonmath
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer
             https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath
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QUESTION
What is your biggest struggle in your classroom right now? Include grade level and your role. Share in the comments or email us at:
Cheri@cheridotterer.com
Jonily@mindsonmath.com
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HASHTAGS
#tier1interventions #mindonmath  #jonily  #cheri #dysgraphia #dyscalculia
#math #education #teaching #mathintervention #strugglingstudents