2025 Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium

In this session, we will cover the fundamentals of Enhanced Alphabet Knowledge (EAK). Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to effectively implement EAK in the classroom, including strategies for organizing, planning, and teaching key alphabet knowledge skills.

Join Renwick preschool teachers as they share their journey of implementing a MTSS system in their preschool program. The preschool staff in Renwick have worked hard to establish a system of looking at data, thinking about improvments that could be made based on data and creating embedded learning opportunities for students that need extra support. Through their actions ALL of the students have seen tremendous growth!  

Counting may seem simple, but for young children, it's a surprisingly complex and critical milestone in building number sense. In this interactive session, participants will step into the shoes of early learners through a playful counting simulation, then dive into the five foundational principles of counting. Using real classroom examples and student thinking, we’ll explore how to recognize different developmental phases, uncover common misconceptions, and identify rich opportunities to deepen children’s conceptual understanding. Walk away with practical strategies and routines to support every young counter in your classroom.

Geometry and patterns help young children recognize structure and meaning in the world around them. In this session, we’ll explore how early geometric thinking develops through playful interactions with shapes, movement, and space, grounded in the Van Hiele model of geometric understanding. We’ll also dive into the role of repeating patterns—how they support attention, prediction, and reasoning—and why they deserve a central place in early learning. Through activities like Same But Different, which helps children compare and contrast shapes and objects, we’ll see how geometry and patterns work together to build spatial awareness and critical thinking. Using real-world examples, story-based tasks, and everyday materials, participants will engage in activities that nurture children’s ability to see math in the structure, rhythm, and beauty of their environment.

What does it mean to mathematize a preschool classroom? It means helping children see math everywhere—through talk, play, observation, and joyful exploration. In this session, we’ll explore powerful routines that spark mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and conversation, including Same But Different, Goldilocks Math, and Fancy Counts. You’ll see how 4-year-olds can engage with complex problems, reason through solutions, and express their thinking. We’ll also look at other classroom structures that invite curiosity, comparison, and meaningful dialogue. Participants will leave with flexible routines and practical tips for embedding problem-solving and mathematical exploration into the daily rhythm of preschool life—so that every child can experience math as a natural and joyful part of their world.

Counting may seem simple, but for young children, it's a surprisingly complex and critical milestone in building number sense. In this interactive session, participants will step into the shoes of early learners through a playful counting simulation, then dive into the five foundational principles of counting. Using real classroom examples and student thinking, we’ll explore how to recognize different developmental phases, uncover common misconceptions, and identify rich opportunities to deepen children’s conceptual understanding. Walk away with practical strategies and routines to support every young counter in your classroom.

Geometry and patterns help young children recognize structure and meaning in the world around them. In this session, we’ll explore how early geometric thinking develops through playful interactions with shapes, movement, and space, grounded in the Van Hiele model of geometric understanding. We’ll also dive into the role of repeating patterns—how they support attention, prediction, and reasoning—and why they deserve a central place in early learning. Through activities like Same But Different, which helps children compare and contrast shapes and objects, we’ll see how geometry and patterns work together to build spatial awareness and critical thinking. Using real-world examples, story-based tasks, and everyday materials, participants will engage in activities that nurture children’s ability to see math in the structure, rhythm, and beauty of their environment.

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Early number sense is a key predictor of later math success. In this interactive session, participants will explore developmentally appropriate strategies to nurture number sense in preschoolers through play-based learning, hands-on activities, and meaningful routines.

What does it mean to mathematize a preschool classroom? It means helping children see math everywhere—through talk, play, observation, and joyful exploration. In this session, we’ll explore powerful routines that spark mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and conversation, including Same But Different, Goldilocks Math, and Fancy Counts. You’ll see how 4-year-olds can engage with complex problems, reason through solutions, and express their thinking. We’ll also look at other classroom structures that invite curiosity, comparison, and meaningful dialogue. Participants will leave with flexible routines and practical tips for embedding problem-solving and mathematical exploration into the daily rhythm of preschool life—so that every child can experience math as a natural and joyful part of their world.