The Tier 1 Strategy That Builds Number Sense

In this episode of Tier One Interventions, we unpack the instructional model behind Math in a Month,  a 30-day structure designed to build real number sense through intentional iteration.

Instead of racing through disconnected units, this Tier 1 strategy divides the semester into structured fifths, allowing students to revisit essential concepts with increasing depth and mastery.

We discuss:
 • Why repetition over time builds durable learning
 • How to define instructional essentials
 • Why square roots and radicals belong earlier than you think
 • How to use textbooks strategically without surrendering your instructional design
 • What “don’t steal the struggle” really means in math classrooms

This episode is for math teachers, interventionists, special educators, and instructional leaders who want a systematic approach to building number sense — not quick tricks.

If you’re ready to rethink how math mastery develops, this conversation will give you a structural lens for Tier 1 instruction.

To join a live session or access the full 2.5-hour coaching model, check the link in the show notes.

If Tier 1 instruction feels harder every year — this episode explains why.

📌 This is Part 3 of a 7-part series on rebuilding Tier 1 math from the ground up.

Part 4/7 comes out next week.

🔗 Get involved with Tier 1 Interventions coaching:
 Check the link in the show notes to join live sessions or access the full year of professional learning.

 Join one Mastery Math Method Workshop for just $47.

👇 Comment below: Where do you see kids getting stuck most often in math?

00:00 – Introduction: Mission Accomplished
 01:00 – Season 3: Math in a Month Explained
 02:00 – Why the Semester Is Divided into Fifths
 03:00 – Using Textbooks Strategically (Not Randomly)
 04:00 – Defining Instructional Essentials
 05:00 – Why Radicals and Square Roots Matter
 06:00 – Teaching Square Roots in Second Grade
 08:00 – The Pizza Model for Building Conceptual Understanding
 10:00 – Letting Students Struggle (Don’t Steal the Process)
 11:00 – Why High Schoolers Still Say √100 = 50
 12:30 – Iterative Exposure and Fact Fluency
 14:00 – Structuring January as Math in a Month
 15:00 – Invitation to Tier One Interventions Coaching

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
 https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Live sessions (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

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