Tier 1 Interventions

By: Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer
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  • Summary

  • Math intervention, writing intervention, neurobiology, and cognitive-based learning - Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer are sharing how to incorporate them into your classroom. Jonily is a secondary math teacher and instructional coach for math K-12. Cheri is an occupational therapist specializing in neurology-based treatment across the lifespan and a Strategy-based Interventionist. Jonily secretly calls Cheri her Lesson Plan Whisperer because Cheri is always in her head, reminding her of the foundations of development before academics begin. They met in 2018 and have been talking ever since. Together, they have discovered the Miracle Math Classroom. This classroom embeds all math standards from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, plus neuro-based interventions that improve proficiency and boost student engagement. Both gifted and learning support students thrive using the interventions they share, plus all students in between. Using cognitive enhancing techniques strategically placed in the lesson plan, students learn more and enjoy school more, and fewer students get removed from critical instruction for Tier Three Interventions. Jonily has discovered how to teach all Kindergarten through algebra math standards using twelve, that’s right, twelve Reference Tasks. They include the Pizza Problem, 120-Chart, Paper Folding, Making Rectangles, Quick Dots, Locker Problem, Jesse and Kay, Geoboard, Candy Problem, Paint Problem, Staircase, and the Function Machine. Cheri uses Body-Brain Anchors to ignite the flame inside everyone’s brain for learning. Whether a person is five or 90, her strategy-based interventions will ignite that flame. These Brain-Body Anchors include the Handstand Flip, Interlaced Bilateral Integration, and the Body Sentence Alphabet. Together, they connect the puzzle behind math instruction and instructional delivery alongside these cognitive-enhancing activities to maximize math education for all students. Join us live on the third Saturday of the month, sans July, for the math behind the Reference Task. Every live event is approximately 2.5 contact hours. The first 30-ish minutes become this podcast. To hear the entire training, join our membership program. Please note: we will not record on holiday weekends. Join our mailing list for updates on dates. To join us live, register at Tier1interventions.com. The 2.5-hour sessions include the PowerPoint slides, additional audio files of Jonily teaching the Reference Task, resources from Cheri, and much more. A subscription to these 2.5-hour Workshops is $97/month or $947/year. Membership includes: *Approximately 27.5 hours of direct training per year *Audio files of Jonily's Hear Me Teach segments - complete *PowerPoint Slides to grab and use in your Magic Math Classroom *Resources from Jonily and Cheri for you and your students *A copy of Math DYSconnected when released. Or, you can listen to the first segment on your favorite podcast app for free; no membership is required. No matter how you listen, you will come away with golden nuggets that will transform your classroom. Reach out to Jonily: jonily@mindsonmath.com Reach out to Cheri: info@cheridotterer.com Tier1Interventions.com
    2024 Minds on Math, LLC and Dotterer Educational Consulting
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Language Learning Mathematics Science
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Episodes
  • Hidden Math Pattern That Makes Subtraction Easy For Everyone: S2 E19

    Hidden Math Pattern That Makes Subtraction Easy For Everyone: S2 E19
    Feb 18 2025

    In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Jonily Zupancic continues the conversation on Three Math Rules That Never Expire, focusing on Rule #2: Subtraction is Distance. Many students struggle with subtraction when taught only as "taking away." But what if we reframed it as measuring distance? Jonily explains how this approach builds number sense from preschool through high school, making subtraction intuitive and transferable across math concepts, including negative numbers, decimals, and absolute value.

    She walks listeners through practical examples, discusses number line strategies, and shares how teachers can improve students’ understanding using subtraction cycles. Tune in for actionable teaching tips and a fresh perspective on subtraction!

    FREE DOWNLOAD: https://disabilitylabs.com/f/division-is-counting-introduction-cycle-a-copy
    .****************************************************************************
    DisabilityLabs.com sponsors this video podcast. We are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.
    *****************************************************************************

    RESOURCES/COURSES MENTIONED

    All episodes of Tier 1 Interventions are recorded live and edited for teachers, therapists, and parents to consume on their way to work.

    Join the Next Tier 1 Interventions Workshops LIVE: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshops

    2025.

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    BOOKS

    Making Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64K

    Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd

    On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7

    Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.


    Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2025.

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    SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

    APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4

    SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIy

    AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029

    This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.

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    MISSION

    We are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.

    *************************************************************************

    WORK WITH US:

    Join Tier 1 Workshops. Complete episodes with bonuses are included in the course. New episodes are added after the live events. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshops

    *****************************************************************************************************

    FREE RESOURCES

    Saturday Math and IMPACT Wednesday https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-8523599443

    3 Interventions OTs need to make your Students' Math Stick!

    https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com

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    Other ways to connect with Jonily and Cheri

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventions

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/

    https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/

    X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer

    https://twitter.com/mindsonmath

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer

    https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath

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    BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

    Join our community https://disabilitylabs.com/community

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    HASHTAGS

    #tier1interventions #mindsonmath #jonily #cheri #TeacherTips #MathEducation #ClassroomStrategies #TeachingMath #K12Education #MathTeachers #EducationMatters #TeacherLife #MathInterventions #NumberSense #MathFluency #CountingStrategies #MathAutomaticity #MathPatterns #STEMEducation #MathDifferentiation #PodcastForTeachers #EducationPodcast #TeachingPodcast #MathPodcast #Tier1Interventions #TheWritingGlitch #EdTechPodcast
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    18 mins
  • The Power of Indirect Instruction in Mathematics: S2 E18

    The Power of Indirect Instruction in Mathematics: S2 E18
    Feb 11 2025
    In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, hosts Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic delve into the concept of the Staircase Problem, a reference task designed to enhance number sense through engagement and focus. This task fosters collaboration between teachers and occupational therapists within the classroom. It improves memory and retention of math concepts.Key Topics Covered:The importance of counting in developing number senseImplementing Staircase Math as an ongoing reference taskStrategies for creating independent math learnersThe role of occupational therapists in classroom-based interventionsBuilding a collaborative approach to math instruction.****************************************************************************DisabilityLabs.com sponsors this video podcast. We are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.*****************************************************************************RESOURCES/COURSES MENTIONEDAll episodes of Tier 1 Interventions are recorded live and edited for teachers, therapists, and parents to consume on their way to work.Join the Next Tier 1 Interventions Workshops LIVE: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshopsOur next live workshop is on January 18, 2025.**************************************************************************BOOKSMaking Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64KHandwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbdOn Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2025.*************************************************************************TIME STAMPS01:05 The foundational role of counting in math intervention03:30 Exploring the Staircase Math task06:21 Integrating OTs into classroom math instruction08:27 Embracing the Least Restrictive Environment in math education10:24 Encouraging math teachers to adopt new instructional models12:23 The necessity of a team approach for successful implementation17:23 Addressing math anxiety through cultural shifts in the classroom20:08 Connecting homeschool methods to the IMPACT Learning Framework25:17 The transformative power of effective questioning strategies***************************************************************************SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIyAMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.*************************************************************************MISSIONWe are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.*************************************************************************WORK WITH US:Join Tier 1 Workshops. Complete episodes with bonuses are included in the course. New episodes are added after the live events. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshops*****************************************************************************************************FREE RESOURCESSaturday Math and IMPACT Wednesday https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-85235994433 Interventions OTs need to make your Students' Math Stick!https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com*************************************************************************Other ways to connect with Jonily and CheriFB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventionsIG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/X: https://twitter.com/CheriDottererhttps://twitter.com/mindsonmathTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridottererhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath**************************************************************************BE THE FIRST TO KNOWJoin our community https://disabilitylabs.com/community*************************************************************************HASHTAGS#tier1interventions #mindsonmath #jonily #cheri #TeacherTips #MathEducation #ClassroomStrategies #TeachingMath #K12Education #MathTeachers #EducationMatters #TeacherLife #MathInterventions #NumberSense #MathFluency #CountingStrategies #MathAutomaticity #MathPatterns #STEMEducation #MathDifferentiation #PodcastForTeachers #EducationPodcast #...
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    26 mins
  • Differentiated Instruction in the Regular Ed Classroom: S2 E17

    Differentiated Instruction in the Regular Ed Classroom: S2 E17
    Feb 4 2025
    The Staircase Problem isn't just a math exercise—it’s a pathway to deep conceptual learning, executive function growth, and full classroom inclusion. Whether you're a math teacher, occupational therapist, or intervention specialist, understanding how to scaffold and differentiate this task can transform student engagement and success..****************************************************************************DisabilityLabs.com sponsors this video podcast. We are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.*****************************************************************************RESOURCES/COURSES MENTIONEDAll episodes of Tier 1 Interventions are recorded live and edited for teachers, therapists, and parents to consume on their way to work.Join the Next Tier 1 Interventions Workshops LIVE: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshopsOur next live workshop is on January 18, 2025.**************************************************************************BOOKSMaking Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64KHandwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbdOn Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2025.*************************************************************************TIME STAMPS00:00 Introduction: The power of counting and number sense01:50 The Staircase Problem and its place in the 12 reference tasks02:53 Why number sense is foundational for all math learners04:33 The role of automaticity in math fluency05:51 The Goldilocks principle: Finding the “just right” challenge07:08 Integrating math and cognitive science for deeper learning10:00 Differentiation strategies: Whole-class individualization12:45 Accessibility and inclusion: Adapting materials for all learners15:18 A case study: Adapting the Staircase Problem for distance learning17:19 Why slow, repeated exposure is key to mastery19:51 January math strategy: Revisiting concepts to solidify learning***************************************************************************SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIyAMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.*************************************************************************MISSIONWe are committed to IMPACT the journey of 200K teachers (3M students) by 2030 so they can reignite their passion for teaching.*************************************************************************WORK WITH US:Join Tier 1 Workshops. Complete episodes with bonuses are included in the course. New episodes are added after the live events. https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/tier-1-interventions-workshops*****************************************************************************************************FREE RESOURCESSaturday Math and IMPACT Wednesday https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-85235994433 Interventions OTs need to make your Students' Math Stick!https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com*************************************************************************Other ways to connect with Jonily and CheriFB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventionsIG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/X: https://twitter.com/CheriDottererhttps://twitter.com/mindsonmathTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridottererhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath**************************************************************************BE THE FIRST TO KNOWJoin our community https://disabilitylabs.com/community*************************************************************************HASHTAGS#tier1interventions #mindsonmath #jonily #cheri #TeacherTips #MathEducation #ClassroomStrategies #TeachingMath #K12Education #MathTeachers #EducationMatters #TeacherLife #MathInterventions #NumberSense #MathFluency #CountingStrategies #MathAutomaticity #MathPatterns #STEMEducation #MathDifferentiation #PodcastForTeachers #EducationPodcast #TeachingPodcast #MathPodcast #Tier1Interventions #TheWritingGlitch #EdTechPodcast (00:00) - Introduction: The power of counting and number sense (01:50) - The Staircase Problem and its ...
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    21 mins

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