Number Corner at DHES

This year, Dieringer Heights Elementary introduced an exciting new program called Number Corner into all fourth-grade classrooms—made possible through funding from the Dieringer Education Foundation. This innovative program is designed to build stronger math foundations and help students engage with mathematical concepts in meaningful, interactive ways.

Number Corner is centered around the classroom calendar, transforming it into a daily learning tool. Each day, students participate in short 15–20 minute “math workouts” that introduce, reinforce, and extend key concepts aligned with the critical areas of study for their grade level. New pieces are added to the classroom display each day, sparking discussion, problem-solving, and quick written exercises. The lessons are intentionally designed to connect math to the real world—helping students apply what they learn to practical, everyday situations.

Before Number Corner was introduced this year, each fourth-grade teacher led their own version of a daily math warm-up, meaning students in different classrooms could experience slightly different content and pacing. Teachers wanted a cohesive and consistent program that would support all students equally, while still being easy to implement and engaging for young learners. Number Corner met all of those goals, providing a structured framework where every student encounters the same core math content—creating a stronger, more unified foundation across the grade level.

Another motivation for adopting Number Corner came from a common challenge many teachers face each year: the timing of state assessments. The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) begins before teachers have time to finish the year’s math curriculum. This can lead to rushed lessons or surface-level instruction when teachers try to cover critical concepts too quickly. Number Corner addresses this gap by exposing students to a wide range of mathematical ideas earlier in the year—allowing for deeper understanding long before testing season arrives. As Fourth-Grade Teacher Trisha Gray shared:

“Number Corner hits all of these different skills in a spiral review throughout the year that we are unable to dig into otherwise. We kindly thank the Dieringer Education Foundation donors for providing support to allow our students to engage in mathematical practices in meaningful and interactive ways!”

The Dieringer Education Foundation is proud to have provided the funding that made this program possible. By supporting Number Corner, the Foundation is helping ensure that students at Dieringer Heights can build confidence, strengthen foundational math skills, and develop a love for learning—all in a consistent, engaging, and student-centered way.

Programs like Number Corner are a great example of how community support and Foundation funding come together to give every Dieringer student the best educational experience possible.