The Robertson Program
@robertsonprog.bsky.social
Collaborating with educators and researchers to create inquiry-based math and science resources. Part of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, U of T.
Get students thinking about experimental versus theoretical probability as they try to beat the odds in this board game! #MTBoS #MathEd #GameBasedLearning #Probability
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Beat The Odds
Get students thinking about experimental versus theoretical probability as they try to beat the odds in this board game!
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 18, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Get students thinking about experimental versus theoretical probability as they try to beat the odds in this board game! #MTBoS #MathEd #GameBasedLearning #Probability
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students practice reading and representing numbers through a fun bingo game. #NumberSense #ReadingNumbers
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Roll and Build Bingo
Students practice reading and representing numbers through a fun bingo game.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 11, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Students practice reading and representing numbers through a fun bingo game. #NumberSense #ReadingNumbers
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Math fluency isn’t just memorization or strategy—it’s both. This article explains how mental math, automaticity, and playful learning can work together to support all learners. #MathFluency #MentalMath #NumberSense #MathStrategies www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Learning basic math facts using playful memorization | The Robertson Program | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
When the Ontario government rolled out its new math curriculum in 2020, it was touted as a “back-to-basics” approach.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 9, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Math fluency isn’t just memorization or strategy—it’s both. This article explains how mental math, automaticity, and playful learning can work together to support all learners. #MathFluency #MentalMath #NumberSense #MathStrategies www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Students practice performing reflections and translations, while using cardinal directions on a grid or chess board. #Transformations #GeometryClass #Reflections #Translations #CoordinateGeometry www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Last Landing
Students practice performing reflections and translations, whilst using cardinal directions.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 5, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Students practice performing reflections and translations, while using cardinal directions on a grid or chess board. #Transformations #GeometryClass #Reflections #Translations #CoordinateGeometry www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students explore their understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem through four small group investigations using tiles and tangrams to show a^2 + b^2 = c^2. #HandsOnMath #Manipulatives #Tangrams #MathTiles #InquiryBasedLearning
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Pythagorean Theorem
In these series of investigations, students explore and deepen their understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 4, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Students explore their understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem through four small group investigations using tiles and tangrams to show a^2 + b^2 = c^2. #HandsOnMath #Manipulatives #Tangrams #MathTiles #InquiryBasedLearning
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
In this group activity, students identify features that define a pattern and then use their knowledge to extend a pattern. All that's needed is a whiteboard and dry-erase markers! #PatternRecognition #MathLearning #ClassroomActivity www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Introduction to Patterning
Students learn to recognize and extend patterns in different contexts, as well as identify features that define a pattern.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
February 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM
In this group activity, students identify features that define a pattern and then use their knowledge to extend a pattern. All that's needed is a whiteboard and dry-erase markers! #PatternRecognition #MathLearning #ClassroomActivity www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Kindergarten students use measuring sticks and Unifix cubes to track and graph changes in snow depth in this outdoor inquiry activity. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Measuring the Depth of Snow
Snowfall can be a learning opportunity when students measure and compare the depth of the fallen snow each week.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
January 28, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Kindergarten students use measuring sticks and Unifix cubes to track and graph changes in snow depth in this outdoor inquiry activity. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students learn to visually represent the multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers by using the area model. #Multiplication #NumberSense www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Visual Multiplication
Students learn about a way of visually representing the multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
January 27, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Students learn to visually represent the multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers by using the area model. #Multiplication #NumberSense www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Grade 4/5 Teacher Zoe Donoahue shares the Daily Math Discussion she’s developed for junior grades. Her students use the number of days in school to explore factors, fractions, place value and more! #JuniorGrades #NumberSense www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Junior Daily Math Discussion | The Robertson Program | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Grade 4/5 Teacher Zoe Donoahue shares the Daily Math Discussion she’s developed for junior grades. Her students use the number of days in school to explore factors, prime and composite numbers, fracti...
www.oise.utoronto.ca
January 23, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Grade 4/5 Teacher Zoe Donoahue shares the Daily Math Discussion she’s developed for junior grades. Her students use the number of days in school to explore factors, fractions, place value and more! #JuniorGrades #NumberSense www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Learn to make multiple patterns with beads of different sizes, shapes, and colours through this fun small group activity. #EarlyMath #Patterns #HandsOnLearning www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Patterns with Beads
Children are challenged to make multiple patterns with beads of different sizes, shapes, and colours.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
January 21, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Learn to make multiple patterns with beads of different sizes, shapes, and colours through this fun small group activity. #EarlyMath #Patterns #HandsOnLearning www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Welcome back! Teachers can start off the year with this small group activity where students will roll high to take it all 🎲 One throw decides who walks away with every die. #DiceGame #WinnerTakesAll #Probability www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Dice War
Players aim to collect all the dice in the game. They roll to get a score, and the highest roll wins all the dice.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
January 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Welcome back! Teachers can start off the year with this small group activity where students will roll high to take it all 🎲 One throw decides who walks away with every die. #DiceGame #WinnerTakesAll #Probability www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
From all of us at the Robertson Program, we hope you have a restful winter break! We can’t wait to share more exciting content with you in 2026!
December 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
From all of us at the Robertson Program, we hope you have a restful winter break! We can’t wait to share more exciting content with you in 2026!
Students identify the missing piece of a puzzle using key characteristics, including number of sides, length of sides, angles, and lines of symmetry.
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Missing Puzzle Pieces
Students develop reasoning and discussion skills by identifying the missing piece of a puzzle.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Students identify the missing piece of a puzzle using key characteristics, including number of sides, length of sides, angles, and lines of symmetry.
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students are invited to select a number card, read the number and build the corresponding "tower," to get their minds and hands engaged with numeracy in this one-on-one activity with an educator. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Unifix Counting Towers
Students get their minds and hands engaged with numeracy while making Unifix Towers.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Students are invited to select a number card, read the number and build the corresponding "tower," to get their minds and hands engaged with numeracy in this one-on-one activity with an educator. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Junior students often have misconceptions about fractions such as incorrectly saying that one quarter (1/4) is larger than one third (1/3). Read to learn about effective fraction teaching strategies and activities that can be incorporated in the classroom. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Whole Number Bias and 3 Misconceptions about fractions in Junior Math | The Robertson Program | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Whole number bias is the tendency to apply or misapply one’s understanding of whole numbers or natural numbers – the numbers we typically count with – to rational numbers. It makes sense that people m...
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Junior students often have misconceptions about fractions such as incorrectly saying that one quarter (1/4) is larger than one third (1/3). Read to learn about effective fraction teaching strategies and activities that can be incorporated in the classroom. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Students learn how to draw 2D/3D images while using accurate positional and directional language. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Draw a Structure from 3 Different Views
Students learn how to draw 2D/3D images while using accurate positional and directional language.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 9, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Students learn how to draw 2D/3D images while using accurate positional and directional language. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Help children understand exponential growth and doubling with this fun hands-on activity using only five to ten manipulatives. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Doubling Up
Help children understand exponential growth and doubling with this fun hands-on activity.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Help children understand exponential growth and doubling with this fun hands-on activity using only five to ten manipulatives. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students learn to add and subtract to 500 through this collaborative small group activity. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Adding Up the Number Line
In this addition and subtraction game players attempt to arrive exactly at 500 on the number line.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Students learn to add and subtract to 500 through this collaborative small group activity. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students decompose composite numbers and identify prime factors using factor trees. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Prime Factor
Students decompose composite numbers and identify prime factors using factor trees.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
December 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Students decompose composite numbers and identify prime factors using factor trees. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students work in teams to determine the maximum, minimum, mean, median, mode and range of a group of playing cards. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Card Collectors
Students work in teams to determine the maximum, minimum, mean, median, mode and range of a group of playing cards.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 27, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Students work in teams to determine the maximum, minimum, mean, median, mode and range of a group of playing cards. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Using a probability line, students will make predictions informed by the likelihood of selecting a domino that is greater, equal, or lesser to the one in their hand. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Odds
Using a probability line, students will make predictions informed by the likelihood of selecting a domino that is greater, equal, or lesser to the one in their hand.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Using a probability line, students will make predictions informed by the likelihood of selecting a domino that is greater, equal, or lesser to the one in their hand. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students practice one-to-one correspondence in this fun dice-rolling, bingo-dabbing game. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Number Hunt
Students practice one-to-one correspondence in this fun dice-rolling, bingo-dabbing game!
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Students practice one-to-one correspondence in this fun dice-rolling, bingo-dabbing game. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Students attempt to minimize the value of their hand in this competitive card game using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Golf
Students attempt to minimize the value of their hand in this competitive card game.
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Students attempt to minimize the value of their hand in this competitive card game using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Get your students in on some fraction action as they strategically create and compare fractions. The player with the most cards is the winner! www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
Fraction Action
Get your students in on some fraction action as they strategically create and compare fractions. The player with the most cards is the winner!
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Get your students in on some fraction action as they strategically create and compare fractions. The player with the most cards is the winner! www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/le...
As an educator, has your student ever asked why they should be learning math? In this blog, we hope to inspire educators by exploring the relevance of math and introduce methods that can strengthen math teaching through a joyful approach.
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
Seeing the joy in math | The Robertson Program | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Dr. Julie Comay explores how learning math is filled with joyful possibilities. In her message at this year’s meeting of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), president Trina Wilker...
www.oise.utoronto.ca
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
As an educator, has your student ever asked why they should be learning math? In this blog, we hope to inspire educators by exploring the relevance of math and introduce methods that can strengthen math teaching through a joyful approach.
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...
www.oise.utoronto.ca/robertson/bl...