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AI in the Math Classroom, Grades PreK-2
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AI in the Math Classroom, Grades PreK-2
25 Enhancements to Make the Tech Work for You!



December 2025 | 232 pages | Corwin

AI prompts and strategies to help you save time and focus on teaching math!

Are you tired of spending countless hours on lesson planning, searching for differentiated materials, and drafting communications to families? This book is the practical, time-saving guide you've been waiting for. In her signature playful and witty voice, Dr. Nicki Newton demystifies artificial intelligence for grades PreK-2 teachers, showing you how to streamline your workflow without losing the heart of your teaching. Discover how to leverage AI to handle time-consuming tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: building relationships with your students and fostering a love for math. This is the first book of its kind to focus on using AI to support sound pedagogy in early math classrooms.

Inside this teacher-friendly playbook, you will find:

  • A process for crafting fruitful AI prompts to quickly generate the exact thing you need for class the next day
  • Actionable strategies and models for using AI to create tiered activities and culturally relevant word problems for all learners
  • Clear guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI, including how to navigate algorithmic bias and privacy concerns
  • Interactive activities and reflective questions to help you practice every bit of what you're learning right away, across AI platforms, for any early math content.

This book will empower you to work smarter, not harder. You'll learn how to use AI as your personal assistant, creating more engaging, personalized, and equitable learning experiences that will benefit every student in your classroom.


 
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 City Schools
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
Foundation for Educational Administration
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 Public School District
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
Winslow Township School District
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
Build Math Minds
Orofino, ID

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