Contents:

Planning

Session Approaches

Progression Approaches

Use the fillable Small Group Planner to guide you as you consider session learning goals, resources, and evidence. Easily identify and access aligned ST Math content and support tools. 

You may already use class or district data to form your groups. However, there are several ways you can utilize ST Math data in your educator console to group students. 

Equip student helpers to provide ST Math support while you work with a small group.

Puzzle Talks

Use a Puzzle Talk and slow the conversation down with new approaches:

• Build the puzzle using math tools
• Label the math vocabulary in the puzzle
• Show thinking through pictures, symbols, numbers, and words, and have students explain their thinking to the group
• Compare strategies and solutions, and discuss how they relate to models used in your core curriculum

Resources:

• Puzzle Talk Overview
• Puzzle Talk Resources
• Suggested Manipulatives
• Math Mats & Game Mats
• Problem Solving Process Resources

1:1 Play

Engage in 1:1 ST Math play to provide more immediate encouragement and support.

What to play:

• Grade-level Journey
• Assignments:
  • Class or individual
  • Related to standards or curriculum
  • Preview or review
  • Challenge or Optional Objectives
  • Auto-Assignments (if applicable)

Providing an Assignment for a group of students? Create a staff-managed class with just these students, then assign the Objective.

How to play:

• Provide math tools
• Use data trackers
• Reflect with journal pages or exit tickets—try completing them as a group, or use them as prompts for discussion

Off-platform Resources

At times, students may benefit from off-platform activities that use printable ST Math resources. 

On the Game Mats, Math Mats, and Creature Cards pages, you will see some have related guides with several math activities utilizing these tools.

ST Math Special Projects - JiJi Choice Board gives students a way to highlight and share their understanding of concepts learned in ST Math.

As a creative way for students to explain their thinking and incorporate a language development strategy, utilize a Letter to JiJi template.

If you plan to target a specific standard, you may find this resource helpful:

Targeting Standards Planner - PDF | Make a Google Copy