See the Math…
A practical routine that helps students move from words to relationships, representation, structure, computation and reasonable solutions.
You can't solve what you can't see. Structure before computation.
I created THINK after years of watching students who could calculate successfully freeze the second the mathematics was wrapped inside a word problem. This routine is designed to slow down the rush to calculate and help students make sense of the context, relationships, and structure first.
The THINK Toolkit
THINK is a reasoning routine, not a checklist students have to complete for every word problem. These resources are here to help you make mathematical relationships visible, support students where their thinking breaks down, and plan intentional opportunities for reasoning.
THINK Coaching Guide
Use guiding questions to help students make sense of a problem without telling them what to do next.
Student THINK Reasoning Map
Help students organize their thinking, represent relationships, and explain their reasoning.
Annotation Guide
Help students identify important quantities, context, and relationships without relying on keyword tricks.
Visual Model Toolkit
Help students choose representations that make mathematical relationships easier to see.
Word Problem Planning Map
Look ahead at your next unit, identify where word problems are heaviest, and choose 1–2 intentional THINK moments.
Build Your Monday Plan
Turn one upcoming word problem into an instructional plan by identifying the likely breakdown, choosing a THINK move, and planning an access support.
Guide Students Through THINK
Tap a letter to see what to ask, what to look and listen for, and how to support.
When a Student Gets Stuck…
Four moves, in order. Tap a step to check it off while you practice.
- Step 1Identify where their thinking has broken down
- Step 2Ask 1 coaching question
- Step 3Give wait time (5–10 seconds)
- Step 4Add the smallest support that moves their thinking forward
Need the exact questions to ask?
Flip through your THINK Coaching Flipbook.
Putting It All Together
1Before the Lesson
- Choose a word problem and think about where students might struggle
- Prepare your plan for how you'll move through THINK with students
2During the Lesson
- Guide students through each step
- Ask… then Listen… then Wait
- Use the resources and your coaching questions
3After the Lesson
- Reflect: Which step gave students the most trouble? Why?
- Adjust your instruction or support for next time
Former NYC special education math teacher and creator of Algebra Made Simple. I create practical instructional systems that help middle and high school math teachers make grade-level mathematics more accessible to every learner.
