
What is Structured Numeracy?
You may have heard of Structured Literacy, a term coined by the International Dyslexia Association to represent a framework for effective literacy instruction based on the science of reading.
Just as Structured Literacy has revolutionized the teaching of reading, Structured Numeracy offers a systematic, research-based framework for teaching math. This approach explicitly and systematically develops all the essential components of numeracy, building a strong foundation.
Structured Numeracy is an instructional approach that focuses on explicitly and systematically teaching all the essential components of numeracy. It prioritizes foundational skills and provides a clear, highly structured method for math instruction.
Why is Structured Numeracy Essential?
Structured Numeracy ensures students build a strong foundation in essential math skills. These include:
- Subitizing and Groupitizing: This critical component has been missing from traditional math instruction. Subitizing and groupitizing are the math equivalent of phonemic and phonological awareness in literacy. Research shows these are foundational skills. Most schools include targeted reading programs, but math programs often lack this foundational focus. Mathemagical™ Structured Numeracy fills this gap.
- Visual-Grapheme Connection: After mastering subitizing and groupitizing, students map these skills to number words and symbols. This is similar to the phonics process in literacy, where sounds are connected to graphemes.
- Effective Visuals and Manipulatives: Effective math instruction relies on the right visuals and manipulatives. These tools help students build number sense and conceptual understanding. Key tools include:
- Dot Patterns
- Cuisenaire Rods
- Base Ten Blocks
- Number Balance
These tools act as “power tools” in math education, offering a more effective approach than traditional visuals.

- Systematic Instruction: We sequence topics intentionally to ensure students master foundational building blocks first. They quickly build on these skills using vertical acceleration, enabling them to solve larger numbers confidently. This deliberate approach prevents students from facing unexpected challenges, which can occur often with the gaps found in current math curricula.
- Explicit Instruction: Research consistently shows that explicit instruction is a highly effective way to teach new skills. Rest assured, students will engage hands-on with visuals and manipulatives to explore math topics and build strong conceptual understanding. We’re just not going to leave it to chance that all students develop number sense and learn math facts!
What else does Structured Numeracy include?
Exactly what Structured Numeracy includes is likely to evolve over time, so let’s take a look at the other components of Structured Literacy and consider their parallel in math:
- Syllables: Since syllables are a unit of one vowel sound often combined with consonant sounds, this could be another parallel to subitizing and groupitizing. We also could consider the essential math concept of place value, where units of ones, tens, hundreds, etc. are combined to form multi-digit numbers, similar to how syllables are combined to form words.
- Morphology: Morphology considers the units of meaning in words, and so it may parallel to the meaning we assign to quantities, particularly when integrating place value, where the location of the digit significantly affects its value.
- Syntax: Syntax is the principles guiding sequence and structure of words, including grammar, to create phrases and sentences. In math this may parallel to how we sequence quantities and operations to create expressions and equations.
- Semantics: Semantics refers to the meaning, and both literacy and numeracy require comprehension of meaning. In math we may consider conceptual understanding of quantities, basic math concepts, equations, problem-solving, and more.
All of these effective instructional practices—intentional sequencing, explicit instruction, and the use of visuals and manipulatives—are at the heart of Mathemagical™ Structured Numeracy: K-2 Curriculum.
What is Mathemagical™ Structured Numeracy?

Mathemagical™ Structured Numeracy is a groundbreaking program designed to provide essential instruction on number sense. Just as schools have structured reading programs, this curriculum brings structure and focus to math education.
Mathemagical™ Structured Numeracy provides core instruction on number sense, helping students learn math facts and develop strong numeracy. Mathemagical™ creates math-confident kids: Mathemagicians who have strong number sense, know their math facts, and confidently apply numeracy in their daily lives.
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Wishing you a 2025 filled with the best math learning experiences yet!