edWebinars
«Back to all edWebinarsBridging K–5 Math Foundations to Grades 6–8: From Models to Meaning
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Kevin Davis, Former Educator, Current Success Lead, Great Minds; and Heidi Strate, Former Educator, Current Success Lead, Great Minds
Sponsored by Great Minds
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The transition from elementary to middle school math is a critical turning point. Too often, it’s where student proficiency begins to decline. Why does this happen, and what can educators do about it?
In this edWebinar, K–8 educators will explore the often-overlooked representational gap that emerges as students move from concrete and visual models to more abstract mathematical thinking. Drawing on classroom practice and research-based approaches, we’ll examine how this shift can disrupt understanding and how to intentionally bridge it.
Attendees will gain insight into how students experience this transition and learn practical strategies to maintain conceptual coherence across grade levels. Grounded in the Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) progression, this session will focus on preserving the visual and conceptual anchors that help students make sense of mathematics as it becomes more symbolic and complex. This edWebinar will address:
- Why student proficiency often drops between grades five and six
- What changes in mathematical representation as students move into middle school
- How to use CRA strategies to connect elementary foundations to middle school content
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how gaps in K–5 foundations impact learning, along with practical strategies and tools to build confidence and strengthen conceptual understanding. This edWebinar will be of interest to K–8 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Kevin Davis is a Success Lead at Great Minds, supporting school districts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in implementing Eureka Math². Prior to joining Great Minds, he spent several years as a middle school and high school math teacher. Over the past seven years, he’s worked with educators and leaders to navigate the challenges of curriculum adoption, from classroom walkthroughs to systemic change. When he’s not coaching teachers or troubleshooting implementation puzzles, Kevin loves working with his hands—whether that’s 3D printing, knitting, or baking sourdough—and cheering on New England sports teams. He’s originally from Maine and now lives in Syracuse, NY, with his wife, Kristy, and their sons, Brady and Logan.
Heidi Strate is a Lead Curriculum Developer on the Math Product team and a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescent mathematics. Before joining Great Minds, she served as a middle school math teacher, new teacher mentor, math department lead, and instructional coach in an urban Phoenix school district. Since joining Great Minds in 2018, Heidi has most notably served as Managing Editor for the Eureka Math² Grade 6 and 7-8 accelerated curricula.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Building Understanding in Mathematics community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
At Great Minds PBC, we’re focused on ensuring all students have access to knowledge-rich instruction and all teachers have the resources to deliver it effectively. Built by teachers for teachers, Eureka Math² gives educators the resources, structure, and supports to deliver engaging math lessons that help students excel. The curriculum is available for PK-Algebra I or Mathematics I classrooms nationwide.
A research-proven program, Eureka Math² delivers High-Quality Instructional Materials built to drive student outcomes. It helps teachers deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction with confidence—while supporting all learners through consistent structure, visual models, and real-world application.
