In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Jonily Zupancic reveals the three must-have concepts for calculus success, according to the College Board. These concepts boil down the complex world of math education to three essential ideas: rate, function, and accumulation. If introduced and reinforced from an early age, these concepts provide students with the skills they need to excel in calculus and beyond.
Cheri and Jonily explain how these three pillars of math understanding are connected to elementary and high school math standards, illustrating the importance of early, consistent exposure. They discuss practical tools like the “Dirty Dozen” reference tasks that help foster retention and mastery of these concepts, moving away from the “cram and forget” approach prevalent in traditional education.
One of the highlights of their discussion is the importance of autonomy and choice in learning. When students can engage with tasks that give them structure and freedom, they build confidence and resilience. For instance, skip counting builds a sense of “rate,” while repeated reasoning tasks help students internalize the idea of accumulation over time. Through these intentional teaching practices, students can experience math as a journey, gaining procedural fluency and a deep conceptual understanding that serves them for life.
If you’re an educator, occupational therapist, or parent looking to support students in their math journey, this episode offers practical, research-based strategies for laying a strong foundation for advanced math success. Join a live workshop.