015. The CRA Model: Concrete, Representational, Abstract

Today we will be tackling a topic that several of you have said you want to learn more about: The CRA model, (Concrete Representational Abstract). Unfortunately, many teachers learned math in the abstract. However, now we get to create opportunities to build student understanding with concrete experiences, and make meaning of the math. It's exciting stuff, so press play!

It’s one thing for students to memorize a math fact, but it’s another thing entirely for them to understand it. When students rely on abstract symbols alone, their learning can feel disconnected, temporary, and fragile.

That’s where the CRA model (Concrete, Representational, Abstract) comes in. In this episode, we explore how this powerful approach helps students build deep, lasting understanding by connecting hands-on experiences, visual thinking, and symbolic reasoning.

You’ll hear how CRA can shift the way students think about math, and why this isn’t just a “primary grades” strategy. We’ll talk about what it looks like in practice, how to get started without feeling overwhelmed, and how this one framework can transform the way your students make sense of math.

Links mentioned in this episode:

✅ Math Practice 2

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