As part of our teacher voices video series, Leighton Thomas talks about the importance of learning how to break down math concepts for children. Leighton is a third grade math teacher with four years teaching experience.

Elementary programs requiring elementary math methods coursework (at least three semester credit-hours) that complements elementary math content coursework can earn a 4-star score in this area of preparation. Of the 522 undergraduate elementary programs we evaluated that require at least some math content coursework, about two-thirds (66 percent) require an adequate amount of elementary methods coursework; of the 205 graduate programs we evaluated that require at least some math content coursework, just over half (52 percent) require an adequate amount of elementary methods coursework.