Zukeran Elementary Highlights MTSS and Collaborative Math Instruction
Aligned with DoDEA's Blueprint
Zukeran Elementary School recently showcased a powerful example of collaborative teaching during a fourth-grade math lesson focused on rounding whole numbers. The instructional team—studio teacher Ms. St. Jean, Math Support Specialist Ms. Guillen, Learning Impaired Mild-to-Moderate teacher Ms. Hess, and paraprofessional, Ms. Summers—worked together to deliver a dynamic, student-centered experience. Using helium balloons as a hands-on visual aid, students explored the concept of rounding through an engaging activity that connected the concrete to representational and abstract.
Ms. Hess shared, "When it comes to math and introducing a new concept, I always try to make the lesson relatable, kinesthetic, and visual. Having the opportunity to collaborate and co-teach with other professionals and specialists as part of MTSS is rewarding and more effective for reaching all students."
This lesson exemplifies the goals of the DoDEA Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, which emphasizes equity, excellence, and engagement, and aligns with the Multitiered System of Supports (MTSS), combining tier one, tier two, and tier three instruction. Through co-teaching and differentiated instruction, the team provided layered academic and behavioral support tailored to student needs. The lesson integrated the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) instructional strategy, a research-based approach that builds deep mathematical understanding by guiding students from tangible experiences to symbolic thinking, with MTSS and collaborative teaching. Zukeran educators created comprehensive and effective learning environment where every student had the opportunity to succeed.
