DPS Family Math Program
A guide for K-5 families to support, encourage, and experience mathematics together at home with less stress and more fun!
K-5 Imagine IM Framework
Jasmine Rigby | Lead Family Empowerment + Title I Specialist
DPS Land Acknowledgement
Recognizing DPS commitments to “Know Justice, Know Peace,” we, the DPS educational community, place our minds and bodies in this space while acknowledging Indigenous relatives who have lived in and cared for this ancient Land from time immemorial. We acknowledge the close relationship that Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute and Natives of other tribal Nations continue to have with the waters, plants, and all moving things that call this Land home. We pledge our respect for those enduring Indigenous connections to the place we now call Colorado.
-- Tink Tinker, Ph.D., Osage Nation
Our FACE Vision
When Families and Communities Thrive, Every Learner Thrives
Cuando las familias y las comunidades prosperan, todos los estudiantes prosperan.
Visión de FACE
Four Core Beliefs
Cuatro Creencias Fundamentales
Norms
Respect & Trust: Listen to one another, withhold judgment, and create a safe space to share.�
Everyone’s Voice Matters: Pause, allow all to contribute, and value each person’s wisdom.�
Different Opinions Welcome: Share openly and stay open to others, even when we disagree.�
Supportive Sharing: Offer advice only when asked and honor parenting struggles with compassion.�
Withhold personally identifiable information: Such as birthday, address, school, phone number.
Normas
Respeto y confianza: Escucharnos unos a otros, evitar juzgar y crear un espacio seguro para compartir.
La voz de todos importa: Toma tiempo para pausar, permita que todos contribuyan y valora la sabiduría de cada persona.
Diferentes opiniones son bienvenidas: Comparta abiertamente y manténgase abierto a los demás, incluso cuando no estemos de acuerdo.
Compartir con apoyo: Ofrece consejos solo cuando se los pidan y honra los desafíos de los padres con compasión.
Ocultar información de identificación personal: Como fecha de nacimiento, dirección, escuela, número de teléfono.
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Interactive Features!/Funciones Interactivas
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Four Core Beliefs
Agenda
Introduction to IM Math
Talking About Math (Group Practice)
Real World Math Centers
Closing Resources
Three Core Principals of IM Math
Provide Access for All
Presume Competence
Strength-Based Focus
Ensures every student has the tools, pathways, visual aids, and processing time required to actively participate in the mathematical work.
Starts with the foundational belief that every student is fully capable of thinking critically, solving complex puzzles, and understanding grade-level math.
Celebrates unique student reasoning. Highlights what children *do* understand and builds on their existing visual or structural ideas.
Math is for everyone, and this curriculum is how we get there.
Flexible Learning Pathways
People have different preferred ways of learning. If your child is stuck or frustrated, their brain may benefit from trying new sensory strategy:
Manipulatives
Math Learning Center English & Spanish | A suite of visual, open-ended math tools—including number frames, pattern blocks, fraction bars, and math clocks—designed to build conceptual understanding and spatial reasoning.
Amplify Polypad Over 25 languages: An advanced, highly customizable digital canvas featuring dynamic geometry shapes, algebra tiles, prime factor circles, and probability tools ideal for elementary through high school math.
Didax Virtual Manipulatives: English | A collection of clean, classic classroom tools—such as Unifix cubes, base-ten blocks, and geoboards—that mirror physical hands-on objects for early elementary math.
Manipulatives . com: English: An ad-free, classroom-focused digital library (powered by Toy Theater) offering interactive visual counters, spinners, and grid tools for foundational math skills.
The ‘Three Reads’ Routine
Mai grew 7 tomatoes. She picked 5. How many tomatoes are in the garden?
1st Read: Story Context
2nd Read: Mathematicize
3rd Read: Strategy
Read without numbers or the final question. Ask: "What is happening in this story? Who is it about?"
Add the numbers. Ask: "What are the things we can count or measure? What do these numbers stand for?"
Reveal the question. Ask: "What are we trying to solve? How can we represent this situation?"
Expression:
The ‘Three Reads’ Routine
1st Read: Story Context
2nd Read: Mathematicize
3rd Read: Strategy
Read without numbers or the final question. Ask: "What is happening in this story? Who is it about?"
Add the numbers. Ask: "What are the things we can count or measure? What do these numbers stand for?"
Reveal the question. Ask: "What are we trying to solve? How can we represent this situation?"
Expression:
The ‘Three Reads’ Routine
1st Read: Story Context
2nd Read: Mathematicize
3rd Read: Strategy
Read without numbers or the final question. Ask: "What is happening in this story? Who is it about?"
Add the numbers. Ask: "What are the things we can count or measure? What do these numbers stand for?"
Reveal the question. Ask: "What are we trying to solve? How can we represent this situation?"
Expression:
The ‘Three Reads’ Routine
Maya’s 5th-grade science class is setting up a new rectangular fish tank for their class pet, Bubbles the goldfish.
1st Read: Story Context
2nd Read: Mathematicize
3rd Read: Strategy
Read without numbers or the final question. Ask: "What is happening in this story? Who is it about?"
Add the numbers. Ask: "What are the things we can count or measure? What do these numbers stand for?"
Reveal the question. Ask: "What are we trying to solve? How can we represent this situation?"
Expression:
V = L x W x H
More than Preventing Number ‘Plucking’
Understanding the Goal (Our Why)
When children see numbers in a word problem, they often instantly add or subtract them without reading the context. By focusing on Math Language Routines, like ‘Three Reads’, we encourage deeper reading comprehension and problem solving skills.
Real World Application: The Math is everywhere!
For example, cooking is a highly natural, stress-free zone for foundational math concepts. What are some engaging math skills we might see in the kitchen?
Math Centers At Home:
Station Focus | Hands-On Activity | At-Home Equivalent |
Game Night | Play math center card games or roll casino-donated dice to build sums. | Keep a standard deck of cards in the car or at the dinner table. (ask families for more examples after the rotations). |
The Kitchen Table | Compare shapes of food items, measure ingredients, or sort foods. (k-5 activities) | Discuss prices, fraction splits, how many, more/less, and volumes during cooking. |
Story Tellers | Invent customized word problems based on local Denver landmarks and photos. | Find mathematical patterns in architecture or nature while walking. |
K-2 Game Night Activity
Materials Needed: Decks of playing cards (face cards removed; Aces = 1), casino-donated dice, dry-erase markers/pencils, paper.
K–2nd Grade Activity: "Target 10" (Dice & Cards)
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
3-5 Game Night Activity
Materials Needed: Decks of playing cards (face cards removed; Aces = 1), casino-donated dice, dry-erase markers/pencils, paper.
3rd–5th Grade Activity: "Place Value Build-It" (Cards & Dice)
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
Rotation 1
K-2 Kitchen Table Activity
Materials Needed: Play food models or real, low-cost groceries (graham crackers, pretzels, apples, beans, pasta, dry cereal, paper plates).
K–2nd Grade Activity: "Snack Sorting & Shape Search"
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
3-5 Kitchen Table Activity
Materials Needed: Play food models or real, low-cost groceries (graham crackers, pretzels, apples, beans, pasta, dry cereal, paper plates).
3rd–5th Grade Activity: "Fraction Feast & Unit Cost"
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
Rotation 2
K-2 Storytelling Activity
Materials Needed: Laminated photos of Denver landmarks (e.g., Denver Zoo, Union Station, Red Rocks, Coors Field, Denver Botanic Gardens), dry-erase markers, and sentence stem cards.
🔹 K–2nd Grade Activity: "Denver Picture Stories"
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
3-5 Storytelling Activity
Materials Needed: Laminated photos of Denver landmarks (e.g., Denver Zoo, Union Station, Red Rocks, Coors Field, Denver Botanic Gardens), dry-erase markers, and sentence stem cards.
3rd–5th Grade Activity: "City Challenge Problems"
These Activities are suggestions for Virtual Presentation - they are subject to change for live school sessions based on what activities we have available.
Debrief
Which station felt the most natural to try at home?
What is one everyday moment in your routine where math is already happening?
What tools and games already work for you at home?
Math isn't just a subject at school; it's a language we use at home every day.
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Digital Resources:
Imagine IM Family Support Hub:
Other Learning Tools:
Free Community Math Supports
denverlibrary.org/tutorcom: Virtual on-demand tutoring and homework help for students and adult learners, with resources and support for English language learners.
Academic Search Premier (EBSCO): Free access to math skill-building courses, practice tests, and foundational math tutorials from elementary through high school.
My Denver Card: Provides all Denver youth (ages 5–18) free access to all Denver Recreation Centers, which frequently host structured after-school programs, drop-in homework spaces, and computer labs.
Advocate for Your Child
Conference Questions to Ask
Advocate for Your Child
Explore More Resources
Next Wednesday
Read & Rise Family Literacy Program | English 5 pm
Spanish 6:30 pm
Bring this Program to Your School!
Food
Giveaways
Childcare
Connection
Ways to Stay in Touch
Feedback & Fun Time!
All Families are going home with a Family math Kit
Mark Fukae | Title I Specialist | mark_fukae@dpsk12.net
Jasmine Rigby | Lead Family Empowerment | jasmine_rigby@dpsk12.net
Sources