Track
MCTM (Mathematics)
Name
Designing Mathematics for Every Learner: Using a Neurodevelopmental Lens to Increase Access
Description

What does it take for a mathematics task to truly work for every learner? In this interactive session, participants will engage in a rich upper-elementary mathematics task and then analyze the full range of skills required for success. Beyond mathematical reasoning, we will surface often-overlooked demands such as memory, language, attention, spatial and sequential processing, motor skills, and higher-order thinking—factors that can significantly shape students’ ability to access and engage in mathematics. Drawing on the Math for All project currently underway in four Montana schools, we introduce a practical neurodevelopmental framework that organizes these cognitive functions into eight key domains. Participants will use this framework to examine how different learner profiles interact with the demands of a mathematics task and where barriers to access may emerge. Educators will leave with a clear, repeatable process for analyzing and adapting mathematics tasks, along with concrete strategies that can be immediately implemented across grade levels, content areas, and instructional settings.

This sectional targets grade level(s):
k-8
Session Format
Session - In-Person
Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Professional Development (Renewal) Units
1
Capacity
30