Elementary Math for Families
Our Vision
Our vision is to cultivate a collaborative partnership between families, educators, and the community to empower all students to develop a deep understanding, confidence, and love for mathematics. Through meaningful, accessible, and responsive family engagement, we aim to create supportive home-school connections that enhance student learning, promote equitable access to resources, and celebrate diverse mathematical experiences. Together, we will foster a shared commitment to mathematical excellence, lifelong problem-solving skills, and preparation for the future of every student.
- Welcome
- Summer Skills
- Grade-Level Resources
- A Day in the Life
- Growth Mindset
- Math is everywhere
- Talk Math Together
- Family Math Links
Welcome

Dear TPS Families,
As we wrap up a wonderful school year, we want to celebrate the incredible growth our students have made in mathematics. They have built strong number sense, developed problem-solving skills, and learned to explain their thinking, and we are so proud of their hard work!
To help students continue learning over the summer, the TPS Elementary Math Team has created The Tulsa Math Adventure, which includes activities for each of the 55 Days of Summer. These are designed to build on your child’s learning in their current grade level. Each day includes a simple, engaging activity that students can do independently or families can do together using everyday materials.
Across grades K–5, these activities focus on Number and Operations, and Oklahoma’s vision for math, where students:
- Solve problems and explain their thinking
- Make connections to real life
- Communicate math ideas clearly
- Reason and think deeply about math
You’ll also find digital links and prompts to support learning and help you better understand the strategies your child is using.
As you work through the activities, we encourage you to:
- Ask your child to explain their thinking
- Give them time to problem-solve
- Celebrate effort and persistence
Most importantly, we have fun learning together! Everyday moments like cooking, shopping, and playing games are powerful opportunities to build math skills.
Thank you for your continued support. We wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and math-filled summer!
With appreciation,
Your TPS Elementary Math Team
Summer Skills
Click the images below to download the summer math packets. Download the Tulsa Math Adventure gameboard here.
Grade-Level Resources
Grade-Level Resources
Explore helpful tools and guides to support your child’s math learning at home. The enVision Family Resources include vocabulary support, homework help, video tutorials, and tips to better understand the strategies your child is using in class—all aligned to what they’re learning each day.
A Day in the Life
Daily Schedule
Core Math Block
enVision Math
60 minutes
Intervention Block
SuccessMaker, Savvas Step 3 Resources, and Small Groups
30 minutes
Core Math Block
Exploring Math
This is where the days lesson is introduced to students through problem-based learning, encouraging students to explore and discuss strategies before formal instruction.
Visual Learning Bridge
A short, animated video that helps students connect their problem-solving strategies to clear, visual models, reinforcing key math concepts from the lesson.
Guided Practice
Provides students with scaffolded problems that reinforce the day’s lesson, allowing them to apply new strategies with teacher support.
Independent Practice
Allows students to apply what they've learned on their own through a variety of problems that build fluency, deepen understanding, and help teachers identify student learning.
Math Intervention
math small groups
Why Math Small Groups Matter for Your Child
Math small groups are a powerful part of your child's learning. They provide targeted, personalized instruction so every student can grow in their understanding of math—whether they need extra support, are right on track, or are ready for an extra challenge.
Here's why math small groups are important:
1. Personalized Instruction
Teachers use classroom observations, assessments, and SuccessMaker data to identify exactly what each student needs. Small group lessons are designed to provide targeted instruction that helps students strengthen specific math skills and build confidence.
2. Targeted Lessons That Meet Students Where They Are
Teachers use enVision Math Step 3 Intervention Activities to provide additional instruction on concepts students are currently learning. These lessons reinforce key math skills, provide extra practice, and help bridge learning gaps before students move on to new concepts.
3. Additional Support When Needed
Some students may need more intensive intervention to strengthen foundational math skills. In these cases, teachers use the Math Diagnosis and Intervention System (MDIS) to identify specific areas of need and provide focused instruction that helps students build a stronger mathematical foundation.
4. More Student Talk = More Learning
Small groups provide more opportunities for students to explain their thinking, ask questions, solve problems together, and receive immediate feedback from their teacher. These conversations help deepen understanding and build confidence.
5. Ongoing Check-Ins
Teachers continually monitor student learning through classroom assessments, daily observations, and SuccessMaker progress. As students grow, small groups change to ensure every child continues receiving the instruction that best meets their needs.
Math small groups are not just about helping students who are behind—they're about helping every student thrive. By combining teacher expertise, targeted intervention resources, and personalized data from SuccessMaker, we provide every child with the support they need to become a confident and successful mathematician.
We're excited to let you know that your child will begin participating in teacher-led math small groups beginning September 14, 2026.
What to Expect:
- Every student will participate in teacher-led math small groups on a regular basis, with the frequency determined by their individual learning needs.
- Teachers will use SuccessMaker data, classroom assessments, and daily observations to plan instruction and monitor student progress.
- Students may participate in enVision Math Step 3 Intervention Activities to reinforce current grade-level learning and strengthen concepts taught in class.
- Students needing additional support may receive targeted instruction using the Math Diagnosis and Intervention System (MDIS) to address specific skill gaps and build a stronger mathematical foundation.
- Small group lessons are designed to build confidence, address unfinished learning, and help every student make meaningful progress toward grade-level success.
Digital Math Intervention
SuccessMaker Math is an adaptive online learning program that provides students with personalized math instruction based on their individual learning needs. Instead of giving every student the same practice, SuccessMaker continuously adjusts each student's learning path by identifying strengths, addressing unfinished learning, and providing instruction at the right level to help them succeed.
How It Works
- SuccessMaker begins with an Initial Placement Assessment that identifies each student's current math understanding.
- Based on the results, the program creates a personalized learning path designed specifically for each student.
- As students complete lessons, SuccessMaker continuously adjusts instruction by providing additional practice, review, or new concepts based on their performance.
- Students receive immediate feedback throughout each lesson, helping them learn from mistakes and build confidence.
Why It Helps
- Every student receives personalized instruction tailored to their individual needs.
- Adaptive lessons help fill learning gaps while reinforcing grade-level concepts.
- Immediate feedback supports student learning and encourages perseverance.
- Students work at their own pace while progressing toward grade-level expectations.
- Teachers can monitor student progress and use real-time data to celebrate growth and support student success.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
SuccessMaker can be accessed both at school and at home through Clever, allowing students to continue building their math skills whenever additional practice is needed.
The Goal
SuccessMaker is one of the tools we use to ensure every child receives personalized support in mathematics. By adapting to each student's unique learning needs, SuccessMaker helps build strong mathematical understanding, increase confidence, and support continued academic growth.
2026–2027 Implementation Timeline
September 1–4, 2026
During the math intervention block, students will complete the SuccessMaker Initial Placement Assessment. This assessment identifies each student's current level of understanding and creates a personalized learning path to support future growth.
Beginning September 8, 2026
Students will begin engaging with their personalized SuccessMaker learning path during the daily math intervention block.
Student Expectations:
- Engage with SuccessMaker for the district-recommended number of minutes each week based on individual learning needs.
- Complete one personalized SuccessMaker lesson each day.
- Work carefully and independently while doing their best on every lesson.
What Parents Need to Know
The What and Why Behind Today’s Math Instruction
Let’s be clear—math hasn’t changed.
1 + 1 still equals 2.
WHAT: A Shift in How We Teach
Today’s math instruction focuses on helping students understand math, not just do it. That means:
- Emphasizing concepts, strategies, and reasoning, not just memorization.
- Creating student-centered classrooms where exploration and problem-solving come first.
- Using visual models and real-world examples to build deep, flexible understanding.
- We want students to make sense of math, not just follow steps they don’t understand.
WHY: The Research Is Clear
We teach this way because it:
- Improves learning outcomes for all students, not just a few.
- Aligns with brain-based research about how children develop and learn.
- Prepares kids for the future, where critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability matter more than ever.
Top 3 Facts Every Parent Should Know About Today’s Math
- Math Instruction Evolves—Just Like Everything Else
- Phones, cars, and medicine have changed—and for good reason. The way we teach math is evolving too, because today’s world demands different skills than it did 30 years ago. We're building thinkers, not just calculators.
- Mathematics Is Not a Gene
- No child is “just not a math person.” All students can succeed in math with the right support and mindset. We focus on growth, effort, and understanding—not natural talent.
- We’re Preparing Kids for Tomorrow’s World
- Today’s jobs require more than memorizing formulas. We’re teaching students to collaborate, reason, and solve problems—skills that matter in any career path.
Just as the telephone evolved from a single-purpose device into a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and problem-solving, math instruction has undergone its own transformation. Alexander Graham Bell would be stunned to see that today’s phones function as computers, TVs, cameras, calculators, and more—proof that tools must evolve to remain relevant. The same is true for math instruction. What was once a rigid, procedural approach must now adapt to meet the needs of today’s learners. If instruction doesn't evolve, it risks becoming obsolete. Like the modern smartphone, effective math teaching must be dynamic, personalized, and built for real-world connection.
We Prepare Students for the Future, Not Today
It is important to remember that our job is not to teach kids math that they use today - it is to prepare them for the future. We need to anticipate the math that will be useful when kids enter the workforce and teach them the skills necessary to be successful later, not now.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2018) indicates that these traits are the top skills that future job seekers need:
- complex problem-solving
- critical thinking
- creativity
Whether students enter technical careers or college-track professions, having these enhanced skills will best prepare them for their future work life.
One way to prepare students to enter a world of problem-solving is to normalize struggle. Normalizing struggle means we encourage students to persevere through challenging tasks and we make our struggle visible. Children need to see that things don’t come easy; so we, as educators and parents, must model that for our students and children, then they will begin to own that thinking.
Resource: Partnering with Parents in Elementary School Math by Hilary Kreisberg & Matthew L. Beyranevand
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset in Mathematics
Growing Great Math Thinkers!
Did you know that every brain can grow stronger with practice? At Tulsa Public Schools, we believe every child can become a confident mathematician. When students tackle challenges, learn from mistakes, and keep trying, they're building skills that last a lifetime.
Grow Your Math Mindset at Home!
- Encourage effort over perfection.
- Celebrate mistakes—they help our brains grow!
- Ask your child to explain their thinking.
- Remind them, "You can't do it...yet!"
Sing Along! Watch The Growth Mindset Song by Numberock together and discover how a positive mindset helps us learn.
Math is everywhere
Math Is Everywhere!
Math doesn't just happen at school—it happens every day! Whether you're cooking dinner, shopping, building with blocks, or playing a game, you're helping your child become a stronger mathematician.
Just 10–15 minutes of math play at home can build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and show children that math is both fun and useful.
Try These Family Math Challenges!
In the Kitchen
- Measure ingredients.
- Double or halve a recipe.
- Estimate before measuring.
At the Store
- Compare prices.
- Count money.
- Estimate the total cost.
- Find the best buy.
Build & Create
- Build towers with blocks or boxes.
- Measure and compare heights.
- Create patterns and designs.
Play Together
- Board games
- Card games
- Dominoes
- Dice games
- Puzzles
Playing games builds number sense, strategy, and critical thinking!
Count Anytime
Practice counting:
- Forward and backward
- By 2s, 5s, and 10s
- Starting from different numbers
Make Chores Count!
Turn everyday routines into math conversations:
- Sort laundry
- Set the table
- Pack a suitcase
- Measure pet food
- Create a grocery list
- Tell time
- Estimate how long chores will take
Talk Math Together
Talk Math Together
One of the best ways to build math thinking is simply by talking!
Ask questions like:
- How did you figure that out?
- Can you solve it another way?
- What do you notice?
- What pattern do you see?
- Which one is greater? How do you know?
Math Challenge of the Week
Can your family complete one of these this week?
- Cook a meal together using measurements.
- Play a favorite board game.
- Count objects around the house.
- Build the tallest LEGO tower.
- Compare prices at the grocery store.
- Find shapes on a neighborhood walk.
- Measure something in your home.
Every math conversation helps your child grow!
Family Math Links
Family Math Links
Learning math can be fun! Whether your child enjoys watching TV, playing games, or exploring online, these free resources make learning engaging while building confidence and problem-solving skills. Choose an activity below and enjoy learning together!
Educational Math Shows
Educational Math Games
More Math Activities and resources
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