Big Ideas

Explore our Resources by Topic

Our set of Big Ideas map the key concepts children ages 3 to 6 need to explore for each foundational math topic. Sift through the resources we have organized by topic.

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Idea Library

Focus on Play

Our Focus on Play video series explores the mathematics that can be found in a child's everyday fun.

The Erikson Institute Early Math Collaborative is transforming the understanding, teaching and learning of early mathematics from the ground up.

Professional development
Online learning
Instructional coaching
Research

Online Learning

Professional development modules

Our self-guided modules provide materials, strategies, and expert guidance for working with adult learners to explore foundational mathematics. Whether you are working with childcare providers, in-service teachers, or pre-service teachers, modules give you what you need to support professional learning in your local context.

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Series: About the Collaborative

Celebration Highlights Shifts in Teacher Education, Classroom Resources

Joined by guest speaker Bill Ayers, the Collaborative welcomed teachers in the eight schools in the Innovations project to present, collaborate, and celebrate their achievements of the last three years of the initiative. The event held on June 16th, 2014 included workshops and poster presentations created by participating teachers, all aimed at highlighting the gradual but real-world shifts in practice that have been occurring.

Series: About the Collaborative

Centering on Math: NSF Grant Funds Program with Pre-K Head Start Centers

The Collaborative received a four-year $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, funding a new project that aims to improve early mathematics learning in Head Start classrooms across Chicago. This new program intends to help prepare teachers and teacher assistants to provide effective, intentional math instruction.

Age/grade 0-3, Pre-K

Series: Hear from the Experts

Discussions that Advance Mathematical Learning with Diane Briars

Summing up the point of the day's lesson with the whole class is an extremely important, yet often neglected part of any math lesson.

Age/grade 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K
Tags Diane Briars, Math talk, Planning

Series: Ideas at Work

All Sorts of Families: Connecting School and Home with Math

All members of a household have things in common and things that set them apart. Exploring the important ways that loved ones go together and what makes them unique involves both mathematical thinking and a…

Topics Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Age/grade Kindergarten, Pre-K

Series: Book Ideas

3 "Mathical" Books for More Advanced Counting

Along with being "mathical" award winners, these books provide compelling contexts that help primary grade children understand why more advanced counting is useful and that it isn’t always efficient to count by ones.