Unlocking the Joy of Math in Kindergarten with Perfect Equations
For many teachers, building a strong math foundation in the early years can feel like an uphill climb. But this past school year, three veteran kindergarten teachers at Cascade Elementary (Marysville School District) discovered something extraordinary: when students learn math through Perfect Equations, the results are beyond what anyone thought possible.
Take Ms. Smith’s 2024–25 kindergarten class.
The results above are from 24 students.
Even more remarkable? All three kindergarten classes showed the same pattern of success. These results were unlike anything the teachers had seen in their many years of teaching.
So What Made the Difference?
Building Place Value Early
In math, everything begins with place value and mental flexibility with numbers. Traditionally, kindergartners are expected to “make 5” (for example, knowing 2 goes with 3). But with Perfect Equations, students were confidently making 10.
Imagine asking, “What goes with 4 to make 10?” and instantly seeing an entire class of five- and six-year-olds pop up 6 fingers in unison—no counting on, no hesitation, just pure understanding. This is typically a first-grade standard, but these kindergarteners were doing it with confidence and joy.
Teachers who watched these videos of kindergartners said things like, “That’s brilliant!” and, “We’ve underestimated what our kids can do.”
Why This Matters in the Long Run
When students build automatic number sense early on, they develop what we call compressed math knowledge. That means they’re no longer using fingers to count or working through problems one by one. Instead, they free up brain power to focus on solving bigger, more complex problems. Think of it as giving students “mental breathing room.” Because math facts are second nature, their minds are free to explore, reason, and be creative with numbers.
If you're interested in learning more or have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Math!
Paige Elwell (425) 244-0452
Email: paige@perfectequation.org
