Prepare to Teach

Before School Starts/Before Each Module

Before you start, download Plan to Teach—it can be found under the Implementation tab of the digital platform. This resource walks you through a structured approach to lesson preparation that works whether it’s your first module or your fifth.

Step 1. Review the Module
Start with the big ideas, the strategies, and how learning connects before you zoom in on individual lessons. This top-down approach helps you see where each lesson fits in the larger arc—which matters when you need to make pacing decisions later.

• Check the Before and After This Module sections to see how it fits into the year’s progression.
• Use the Why section to understand the design decisions behind the module.
• Review Achievement Descriptors and Proficiency Indicators to see what students are expected to know and do.
• Review the Terminology, Math Past, and Materials list to prepare for teaching.

Bonus Tip: Watch the Module Overview video on the digital platform as you work through this step. Seeing the module in context can deepen your understanding before you teach it.

Step 2. Study a Topic
Each module includes several topics—small groups of related lessons that build toward a common mathematical idea. Studying at the topic level helps you see how concepts develop across lessons rather than treating each one in isolation.

• Review the Topic Overview to see how learning unfolds and what strategies or models are emphasized.
• Read the Family Math Letter in the Apply book to preview key concepts and language for both students and families.

Step 3. Study a Lesson
Familiarize yourself with the lesson’s structure and anticipate where students might struggle or surprise you.

• Read through the lesson and try completing the Exit Ticket yourself (this helps—we promise).
• Focus on the Lesson Objective, Key Questions, and Achievement Descriptors to understand the learning goals.
• Consider how the math builds over the lesson and across the topic.

Bonus Tip: Use the sample student responses and scoring guides to anticipate misconceptions and plan supports in advance.