Math Matters is LDAA’s new webinar series for Alberta teachers, designed to support Alberta teachers with practical, evidence‑informed math instruction, featuring the esteemed Dr. Sarah R. Powell — one of North America’s leading researchers in math instruction for students with learning difficulties.
Clear instruction. Confident learners. Stronger outcomes.
Each session provides practical, evidence‑informed strategies teachers can use immediately in Grades 1 and above.
Targeted for all levels from early learning to junior and beyond, this four‑part series offers strategies you can use immediately. Each session focuses on a high‑impact area of math instruction that supports all learners — especially those with learning disabilities or ADHD.
2026–2027 Math Matters Sessions:
Session 1:
Tuesday, October 20th 1:30-3:00pm MDT
Math Matters: Vocabulary and Representations
Objectives:
- Identify and apply two evidence‑based practices for effective math instruction.
- Understand the importance of supporting math vocabulary, including the use of formal math terms to help students learn precise definitions.
- Highlight and apply the use of multiple representations in math instruction.
- Recognize how both evidence‑based practices are important to consider as you design effective math instruction.
Session 2:
Tuesday, December 1st 1:30-3:00pm MDT
Math Matters: Systematic and Explicit Instruction
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of being systematic and explicit with math instruction.
- Recognize how systematic instruction is planful, particularly with a focus on vocabulary and representations.
- Identify how systematic instruction reflects common math pathways and unfinished learning, and how explicit instruction ensures clarity.
- Understand why being systematic and explicit is essential for learners who experience difficulties with math.
Session 3:
Tuesday, January 26th 1:30-3:00pm MDT
Math Matters: Fluency
Objectives:
- Define math fluency and understand why fluency becomes especially important once students develop accuracy with math content.
- Highlight different ways to build math fact fluency and computational fluency.
- Recognize that building fluency is an evidence‑based practice that must be incorporated within effective math instruction.
Session 4:
Tuesday, March 2nd 1:30-3:00pm MDT
Math Matters: Word-Problem Solving
Objectives:
- Focus on word-problem solving.
- Review ineffective word‑problem strategies (e.g., tying key words to operations) to understand why they do not support student learning.
- Discuss the importance of using an attack strategy when teaching word‑problem solving.
- Review several common attack strategies that support students in organizing and approaching word problems effectively.
- Understand common word‑problem schemas and how they can be used to deepen student knowledge of word‑problem concepts.
Recognize that word‑problem solving is an evidence‑based practice that must be incorporated within effective math instruction
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Powell
Dr. Sarah R. Powell is a professor at the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin and associate director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. She has made significant contributions to the field of education, particularly in special education and learning disabilities.
Dr. Powell’s research focuses on improving math outcomes for students who learn math differently. She has been instrumental in developing and testing interventions that address critical aspects of math education, including peer tutoring, word-problem solving, math writing, and understanding the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics. Her work emphasizes the importance of making math concepts more accessible to all learners, especially those who struggle with traditional teaching methods.
Dr. Powell has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
