Back-to-School Math Planning for Grades 3–5: Mini-Courses to Get You Ready

Math Professional Development Minicourses for Grades 3-5

YOUR BEST YEAR OF MATH STARTS RIGHT HERE

Does any of this sound familiar?

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Where do I even START planning for a year of math?

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How do I make TIME for everything?

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How do I account for “summer slide” but start doing meaningful math in that first week?

Maybe you've been thinking things like this...

 

  • “My students are already saying they hate math—and it’s only the first week!”

  • “I feel like I’m supposed to be on lesson 3 already, but we haven’t even established routines yet.”

  • “They’re all at completely different levels—how am I supposed to meet everyone’s needs?”

  • “I’m spending more time managing materials and behavior than actually teaching math.”

  • “I know I should be doing more with problem solving and math talk, but I don’t even know where to start.”

  • “It just feels like survival mode—there’s no time to slow down and be intentional.”

 

If any of that sounds like you, you’re not doing it wrong. You just haven’t had the right support.

I’ve been there. Thirty-three years in the classroom taught me that the teachers who have the best year aren’t the ones who work the hardest in August — they’re the ones who are intentional. And intentional doesn’t have to mean spending your whole summer planning.

That’s exactly what I built these courses to do.

 

 

Here's what's inside each minicourse:

Short Video Lessons
Bite-sized and focused. Watch on your schedule, at your pace.

Planning Workbook
Print or digital. Space to think, reflect, and actually plan your next steps.

Ready-to-use Materials
Printables, lesson tools, and resources you can use immediately. On-demand access. Revisit anytime.

Inside the course...

Digital math professional development minicourse

Learn about management and more...

How to use math manipulatives

Ready-to-use lessons and activities...

Playing math games for back to school

Real classroom results!

Student working in a math group

LET'S GET STARTED!

🎯COURSE 1: Overwhelmed to Organized: Creating Systems for a Successful Year of Math

A smooth math block doesn’t happen by accident. This 1.5-hour course walks you through the systems and thinking that experienced teachers use — the stuff that rarely gets covered in PD but makes an enormous difference all year long.

You’ll work through:

  • Organizing your classroom space and materials so math time runs on autopilot
  • Building a math mindset culture — for your students and for yourself
  • Setting up workable systems for differentiation, fast finishers, and small group support
  • Planning your math block in a way that’s sustainable for the whole year

What’s included:

  • Short video lessons with practical guidance and real examples
  • A print and digital planning workbook for reflection and action
  • Bonus printables to help you get set up

Grades 3–5 | 1.5 hours | On-demand | $12

Digital math professional development minicourse

🎯COURSE 2: Launching the First Week of Math

 

This 1.5-hour course gives you everything you need to start the year with confidence. Not just ideas — actual lessons, materials, and a day-by-day plan you can pick up and use.

 

You’ll learn how to:

 

  • Build real relationships and a safe math community from day one
  • Teach and practice routines so your math block runs smoothly all year
  • Introduce meaningful problem-solving and math talk in week one — not week six
  • Help students start seeing themselves as capable math thinkers from the very first day

 

What’s included:

 

  • Short daily video overviews — I walk you through each day’s lesson with teaching tips, strategies, and more
  • A complete day-by-day written plan for the full first week
  • All printables and lesson materials — just print and go
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Grades 3–5 | 1.5 hours | On-demand | $18

                                                    


and now a discounted bundle!

🎯THE STRONG START MATH BUNDLE!

Get both courses and save!

Get your first week completely planned AND set yourself up for a full year of purposeful, effective math instruction. Let me help!

Everything in Course 1 + Everything in Course 2

Grades 3–5  |  On-demand  |  $24


Here's What Teachers Are Asking...

What grade levels are these for?

Both courses are designed for grades 3–5, though many 2nd and 6th grade teachers have found them useful too.

How long will it take to get through a course?

Each course is about 1.5 hours of video, designed to be watched in short sessions. Most teachers work through a course over a few evenings or a slow summer morning. The amount of time you spend applying your new learning is up to you!

Can I access this any time, or is there a deadline?

You get on-demand access and keep it forever. Watch it now, revisit it any time, then use it again next year.

Which course should I start with?

If you want your first week done right now — start with Course 2. If you want the full picture of your math year — start with Course 1. Want both? The bundle gets you everything at a discount.

Is there a refund policy?

I want you to feel good about this purchase. If you go through the course and feel like it wasn't worth it, reach out and I'll make it right. Fortunately, this hasn't been an issue and teachers have found it super useful.

What are teachers like you saying?

“This math course is the perfect way to start the year! It’s engaging, well-organized, and exactly what I need to build excitement and confidence from day one.”

-Denise

“At the start of the year, I used to feel overwhelmed trying to get my math block going—but Meg’s mini-courses changed everything. The clear routines, planning tips, and purposeful mini-lessons helped me feel confident and prepared from day one. Instead of scrambling, I now start with intention—and my students (and I!) feel the difference.”

-Rita

You already care about doing this well.

That’s why you’re here. And that instinct is exactly right — the first weeks of math set the tone for everything that follows.

These courses are my way of handing you the plan so you can walk into that first week feeling ready instead of reactive. Thirty-three years of figuring this out, distilled into something you can actually use right now.

Pick the option that fits where you are:

 

So, give yourself the gift of TIME and give your students the gift of a strong math foundation. Set THEM up for success–and set YOURSELF up for less stress and worry.

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