How can teachers provide differentiated support for students struggling with math? The Concrete-Visual-Abstract (CVA) model is an approach that helps learners build mathematical skills while boosting their confidence.
Our infographic offers a visual representation of the three steps of CVA, demonstrating how educators can guide students toward success in math.
CVA in Action!
CVA includes a three-stage sequence of instruction starting with concrete manipulatives, followed by visual representations, and finished with abstract symbols.
345 − 268 = ?
Concrete
A graphic shows a student in a green shirt working with flats (hundreds), rods (tens), and units (ones) math manipulatives to decompose and compute to solve a subtraction problem.
Decompose both Minuend and Subtrahend
Compute Hundreds
Compute Tens
Compute Ones
Compute Total
= 77
Visual
A graphic shows a student in a purple shirt drawing hundreds, tens, and ones visual representations to decompose and compute to solve a subtraction problem.
Decompose both Minuend and Subtrahend
Compute Hundreds
Compute Tens
Compute Ones
Compute Total
= 77
Abstract
A graphic shows hands holding a tablet displaying a numerical subtraction equation. Different screens show the numerical process of decomposing and computing to solve the subtraction problem.
Decompose both Minuend and Subtrahend
300 + 40 + 5
200 − 60 − 8
Compute Hundreds
100
Compute Tens
− 20
Compute Ones
− 3
Compute Total
100 − 20 = 80
80 – 3 = 77
= 77
Help ALL Learners Find Success in Math
Learn why students struggle with math, and how to take an explicit, systematic instructional approach proven to improve performance! Read our white paper and see how every student can benefit from the CVA model.
