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Multiplication Representation Card
A printable matching activity for making connections between different representations of multiplication. Great to use as an ice breaker, a way to make groups, or just to get students out of their seats and talking to each other.
- Advanced ABE
- Beginning ABE
- CCRS Level B
- Intermediate ABE
- Number Sense
- One-Room Schoolhouse/Multilevel
Fraction Talks
A Fraction Talk is a discussion-rich routine that invites multiple ways of identifying fractions. They are similar to number talks, but instead of drawing out strategies through mental calculations, students evaluate images of shapes and identify fractions. The Fraction Talks website has a huge collection of images to inspire discussion and exploration, as well as suggestions for using this routine in your class.
Math Instructional Routines for Adult Learners
From the Adult Numeracy Network, these Instructional Routines are accessible and challenging to all students, can be approached in multiple ways using different types of sense-making strategies, promote understanding through discussion, make student thinking visible, make math visual and encourage practice of mental math.
Estimating
This workbook has activities to help students develop their number sense through estimation. As they work through the activities, they will look at different strategies for estimating in different contexts. Some of those strategies include partitioning, using your own body as a benchmark, as well as multiple strategies for estimating with numbers. The workbook offers strategies, examples for students to develop their own strategies, and then space to reflect on their learning. An optional video and asynchronous mini-course are also available.
Multiply without Memorizing
This workbook has activities to help students develop their conceptual understanding of multiplication. As they work through the activities, they will look at different strategies for grouping, including arrays and decomposing larger multiplication problems into friendlier numbers. The workbook offers strategies, examples for students to develop their own strategies, and then space to reflect on their learning. An optional video and asynchronous mini-course are also available.
Playing with Patterns
This workbook has activities for students to develop their algebraic reasoning through an investigation of patterns. As they work through the activities, they will look at different kinds of patterns, find rules for how those patterns work, and use what they notice to guess what comes next. The workbook offers different ways of looking at patterns, examples for students to develop their own ways of seeing, and then space to reflect on their learning. An optional video and asynchronous mini-course are also available.
Differentiated Comprehension Checks
This article explains how using differentiated comprehension checks is a way to reach all students in your classroom. It helps students understand grammatical features by asking a quick series of tiered questions during a story or conversation. This is a meaning-based technique that promotes comprehension.
Newsela – Multilevel
This website provides several “levels” of the same newspaper articles on a wide variety of topics, along with accompanying online quizzes, that students can read and take.
Season 2, Episode 6: Differentiating Math Instruction in Complex Classrooms
Presented by Danielle Legault (Minneapolis Adult Education) and Abby Roza (Hennepin County Corrections)
Teaching in the Multilevel Classroom
This article examines the variety of learner backgrounds that can contribute to a multilevel class; discusses levels of proficiency; and offers concrete instructional recommendations.
Newsela
Newsela is a data base of current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Indexed by broad theme (e.g. War and Peace, Arts, Science, Health, Law, Money), stories are both student-friendly and can be accessed in different formats by reading level. Use Newsela to differentiate nonfiction reading.
Promoting Success of Multilevel ESL Classes: What Teachers and Administrators Can Do
This Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) brief is for teachers, teacher trainers, and program administrators who work with adult ESL learners in mulitlevel classroom settings. The brief covers challenges, instructional strategies, and recommendations for administrator support.
News in Levels: World News for Students of English
This website has articles collected from around the world available in three different levels. Each level has highlighted vocabulary words and a listening track so that readers can hear a native English speaker reading the article.
New American Horizons: Adult ESL Teacher Training Videos – Multilevel
This collection of 12 teacher training videos were filmed in adult ESL classes and feature a variety of teaching strategies and activities. For teachers interested in learning more about multilevel instruction, there are two videos that address this topic.
Ideas for a Multilevel Class
This article includes recommendations for multilevel teaching strategies and classroom management suggestions distilled from an experienced ESL teacher. The article is part of a National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) digest, and includes links to additional articles on the topic of multilevel instruction.
Adapting Materials for Multilevel Classes
This article from the Teaching English website offers some ideas of how you can support your students who are struggling more, and offer extension activities for your stronger students, while using the same materials as the starting point for the class.
New Resources
Cracking the Code: Materials
This resource collection includes books and classroom materials that teachers can purchase as well as free, downloadable materials such as flash cards, letter tiles, vowel sound cards, and more.
Cracking the Code: Adult ESL Classroom Videos
This collection of classroom videos demonstrates Multisensory Alphabetics Instruction in action. All videos can all be found on the MN Adult Education YouTube Channel.
Cracking the Code: Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
This resource collection primarily deals with how dyslexia research and instructional techniques can be adapted for use in adult ESL classrooms. There are also resources focused more generally on instruction for students with reading disabilities.
Presenter Information
Get information about stipends, reimbursements, the MN Adult Ed policy on use of images in presentations, and other instructions for presenters.
MN Adult Ed YouTube Channel
The MN Adult Education YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.
ATLAS Announcements & Future PD
Check out the latest list of ATLAS professional development announcements and opportunities! This is the document that is shared at all ATLAS events.
Virtual Meeting Resources
Find resources for conducting online meetings/events/presentations! You are welcome to use and adapt these materials to fit your own needs and context.
Upcoming ABE Events
June 11, 2026
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 6/11/26 Venue: Online (see details below) Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important… Learn More
Online
June 15, 2026
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Racial Equity 101 Presented by Jimmie Heags
Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 6/15/26 Venue: Online (see details below) Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that exposes how race is defined and how racism impacts individuals and institutions. The session will provide learners with a framework for understanding and disrupting the… Learn More
Online
June 16, 2026
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Online
Teaching and Tutoring with Northstar Digital Literacy
Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 6/16/26 Venue: Online (see details below) You don’t need to be a computer expert in order to teach computer skills! Come learn how help students build their digital literacy skills using Northstar Digital Literacy. In the webinar, participants will learn: The features of Northstar Digital… Learn More
Online