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.
Track
MCTM (Mathematics)
Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location Name
301
Professional Development (Renewal) Units
1
Session Format
Session - In-Person