AI in the Math Classroom, Grades PreK-2

Dr. Nicki Newton is an education consultant who works with schools and districts around the country and Canada on k-8 math curriculum. She has taught elementary school, middle school, and graduate school. Dr Nicki has a Master's of Education and a Doctorate of Education from the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University specializing in Teacher Education and Curriculum Development. She is greatly interested in teaching and learning practices around the world and has researched education in Denmark, Guatemala and India. She has written over 45 math books and is excited to be part of the team of writers for the McGraw-Hill new series, Reveal Math. Her latest books include Accelerating K-8 Math Instruction (Teachers College Press, 2023), A Teacher's Guide to Math Workshop (Newton, Mello & Nuzzie; Heinemann 2023) High Dosage Tutoring in Math & ELA (Newton & Ruyter w/Jemison; Routledge, in press) and Math Workshop Plus (Newton & Mello; Corwin, 2025). She is an avid pinner, Tik Toker, blogger, and tweeter. Learn more about bringing Dr. Nicki Newton to your school or district at www.drnickinewton.com

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: AI 101: Not Just for Sci-Fi Anymore What AI Is?.?.?.?and What It Definitely Isn't What Is ChatGPT? Is It All Fun and Games? Some Sobering Second Thoughts AI Myths Bustin' Time End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Focus Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 2: Mastering the Basics: Prompting AI Effectively What Is SCRIPT Prompting? Practicing How to Specify Model Round: Specify Prompt Starters: Specify Practice Round: Specify Practicing Describing Context Model Round: Context Prompt Starters: Context Practice Round: Context Practicing Describing Role Model Round: Role Prompt Starters: Role Practice Round: Role Practicing Iterating Model Round: Iterating Prompt Starters: Iterating Practice Round: Iterating Practicing Setting Parameters Model Round: Parameters Prompt Starters: Parameters Practice Round: Parameters Practicing Perfecting Tone Model Round: Tone Prompt Starters: Tone Practice Round: Tone Putting the SCRIPT Together End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Focus Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 3: AI Tools That Won't Make You Want to Throw Your Computer Why AI Tools Matter in PreK-2 Math AI Enhancement #1: MagicSchool AI-Planning, Differentiation, and Prompt Support Model Round: MagicSchool AI Practice Round: Try MagicSchool AI AI Enhancement #2: ChatGPT and Claude AI-Refining, Expanding, and Adding Research Depth Model Round: ChatGPT and Claude AI Practice Round: Try ChatGPT or Claude AI AI Enhancement #3: Diffit AI-Seamless Math and Literacy Integration Model Round: Diffit Practice Round: Diffit AI AI Enhancement #4: Curipod-Instant Interactive Lessons Model Round: Curipod Practice Round: Curipod AI Enhancement #5: Canva-Custom Visuals, Games, and Resources Model Round: Canva Practice Round: Canva "What's Free?" vs. "Wait, I Have to Pay for That?" Key Considerations End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Reflection Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 4: Collaborative Lesson Planning: AI As Your Co-planner Why Lesson Planning Matters AI Enhancement #1: Lesson Planning in Seconds Model Round: Lesson Planning Practice Round: Lesson Planning AI Enhancement #2: Instant Workstations Model Round: Instant Workstations Practice Round: Instant Workstations AI Enhancement #3: Questioning That Sparks Math Talk Model Round: Questioning Model Round: Deeper Questioning Practice Round: Deeper Questioning AI Enhancement #4: Planning for Multilingual Learners Model Round: Questioning for Multilingual Learners Practice Round: Questioning for Multilingual Learners AI Enhancement #5: Brain Breaks With a Purpose Model Round: Brain Breaks Practice Round: Brain Breaks Putting Together a Whole 5-Day Plan Model Round: Putting Together a Whole 5-Day Plan Practice Round: 5-Day Lesson Plan Reflect, Remix, Repeat End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Focus Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 5: Subitizing, Counting, Cardinality, and a Dash of AI Magic Why Subitizing, Counting, and Cardinality Matter in Grades PreK-2 AI Enhancement #1: Teaching Poems and Games About Subitizing Model Round: Subitizing Activities Practice Round: Subitizing Activities AI Enhancement #2: Modeling With a Variety of Tools Model Round: Subitizing Playing Cards Practice Round: Subitizing Playing Cards AI Enhancement #3: In-Depth Dive Into a Guided Math Lesson Model Round: Creating a Guided Math Lesson on Subitizing Practice Round: Creating a Guided Math Lesson on Subitizing AI Enhancement #4: Engaging and Interactive Learning Model Round: Building Understanding of Cardinality Practice Round: Building Understanding of Cardinality AI Enhancement #5: Parent Letters and Creative Activities Model Round: Creating Parent Letters for Counting and Cardinality Practice Round: Creating Parent Letters for Counting and Cardinality End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Reflection Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 6: AI Plus Story Problems Why Word Problems Matter in Grades PreK-2 AI Enhancement #1: Potential to Personalize Model Round: Types of Personalization Practice Round: Types of Personalization AI Enhancement #2: Humor Hooks Model Round: Adding Humor Into Word Problems Practice Round: Adding Humor Into Word Problems AI Enhancement #3: Scaffolding Strategies Model Round: Scaffolding Practice Round: Scaffolding AI Enhancement #4: Intentional Differentiation Model Round: Differentiating Word Problems Practice Round: Differentiating Word Problems AI Enhancement #5: Interactive Formats Model Round: Interactive Formats Practice Round: Interactive Formats End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Reflection Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 7: Power-Up Your Place Value: AI Enhanced Play-Based Ideas Why Place Value Matters in Grades PreK-2 AI Enhancement #1: Diagnostic Superpowers Model Round: Exit Slips Practice Round: Exit Slips AI Enhancement #2: Place Value Riddles Model Round: Hundred Grid Place Value Riddles Practice Round: Hundred Grid Place Value Riddles AI Enhancement #3: Engaging and Interactive Learning Model Round: A Place Value Escape Room Practice Round: A Place Value Escape Room AI Enhancement #4: Interdisciplinary Connections and Creative Expression Model Round: Place Value Mysteries Practice Round: Place Value Mysteries AI Enhancement #5: Interactive Math Activities With Total Physical Response Model Round: Total Physical Response for Place Value Practice Round: Total Physical Response for Place Value End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Reflection Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 8: Ethical AI Use Privacy Is Dead (and AI Killed It) Protecting Student Voice and Privacy Recognizing and Addressing AI Bias Helping Students Think Critically About AI End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Reflection Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps Chapter 9: You're Now the AI Whisperer Celebrate Your AI Wins-Even the Tiny Ones Confidence Comes With Clicks What AI Can't Replace Stay Current (Without Losing Your Mind) Create Your Personal AI Next Steps Plan Find Your People Explaining AI to Your Colleagues End-of-Chapter Pep Talk Key Takeaways Action Planning Questions Individual Focus Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion Actionable Next Steps References Index

Dr. Nicki Newton's book is a timely and practical guide for educators navigating the ever-evolving world of AI in education. With warmth and clarity, she shows how AI can save time, spark creativity, and support every learner, all while keeping the teacher's expertise at the heart of the work. A must-have resource for early math educators ready to embrace the future with confidence and joy! -- Brittany Hodge * Kettering, OH * AI in the Math Classroom, Grades PreK-2 offers an inspiring, practical roadmap for introducing artificial intelligence to planning for early math learning. It highlights creative strategies for personalization and engagement while acknowledging challenges like teacher readiness, ethical issues surrounding data use and privacy, and responsible AI implementation. It's a must-read for all early childhood educators and leaders! -- Mary M. Reece * Monroe Township, NJ * Dr. Nicki's dive into the AI world truly showcases the joy she has for early mathematics education. AI in the Math Classroom, Grades PreK-2 provides educators with an abundance of practical tools to enhance their teaching. Dr. Nicki uses a combination of humor and reality about AI and takes out the fear of the unknown, making this book practical and useful for everyone. -- Erin Gomez * Middlesex, NJ * An amazing step-by-step resource for beginners to advance users of AI. Your knowledge and confidence will grow with each chapter. The PLC discussion items, actionable steps, and prompt stems make this easy read feel like a fully engaged in-person workshop with Dr. Nikki Newton leading the way and laughing at all of her own jokes. -- John Innocenzo * Atco, NJ * In this timely book, Dr. Nicki Newton brings her passion for learning and respect for the hard work of teaching to guide teachers in using AI as an assistant in planning math instruction for young learners. While teachers are flooded with workshops and systems for using AI, this book is an accessible and friendly resource to process the ever-evolving AI tools that a teacher can use. -- Terri Ruyter * New York, NY * Dr. Nicki not only gives us amazing ways AI can make the mundane and time-consuming tasks of teaching mathematics so much easier, she also gives the warnings about what NOT to do with AI. With all the jobs you have to do as a teacher, this book will help you learn to use AI properly so you can spend time doing the role of a teacher that you actually enjoy: working with your students . . . no AI can do that. -- Christina Tondevold * Orofino, ID *