What are the first week of school math activities that you should be using to start the school year off right and never look back? In this episode, we explore how to kick off your school year with impactful math culture building activities and math classroom activities that set the tone for a year of growth and learning. We’ll also help you understand which components of effective math lessons you should focus on so you’re prepared to give a full year of impactful learning to your studen...

What is the most fundamental question in math education right now? Can you guess? In this episode we make a bold claim about the fundamental question that needs answering in math education. We’ll share insights into how to be intentional in your math classroom so you can effectively plan, deliver, assess, and learn the standards for your current grade level. If you’re a math leader or administrator you’ll learn how to decide where to focus and make the most amount of impact so teach...

Have you ever wondered how math education varies across the globe and what best practices you may have been missing out on when you are teaching math? In this episode Kyle and Jon dive into a fascinating conversation with Amy Bride, who shares her research and observations from her year-long sabbatical exploring what teaching and learning math looks like worldwide and is here to help compare your math class to international classrooms. Whether you're a math teacher seeking fresh per...

What does the next level of support look like in our classrooms? What should it look like to support our students? This episode dives deep into the world of a dedicated math interventionist who integrates specialized strategies to make math accessible and engaging for all students, especially those facing barriers like dyslexia and economic disadvantages.Tune in to this enlightening episode to see how adapting teaching strategies can transform student engagement and success in math.You’l...

It’s likely that you as a math teacher or even your K-12 district may have been focusing on the wrong things when striving for improvement in mathematics. In this episode, Jon and Kyle dive into a common challenge many educators face: the misalignment of priorities in the math classroom. They discuss how shifting the focus from specific resources to overarching student outcomes can create a more cohesive and effective teaching strategy to improve math outcomes.You’ll learn: Learn h...

In this episode of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Seth Boschen as he embarks on a new role leading a team of teachers in his math department. Faced with the challenge of implementing standards-based grading and integrating portfolios into his classes, Seth shares his insights and experiences that will resonate with any educator looking to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Kyle and Jon bring their wealth of k...

Are you leveraging your curriculum resources for mathematics to their fullest potential in the classroom?In today's fast-paced educational environment, teachers of math often find themselves overwhelmed with a plethora of curriculum resources, each promising to enhance student learning. However, without a deep understanding of the author's intent and the underlying goals of these resources, it's easy to misuse or underutilize them. This episode tackles a common challenge faced by ed...

Dr. Jo Boaler is here to discuss her new book "Math-ish," where she introduces findings that advocate for viewing mathematics through a real-world lens, termed “math-ish.” This approach reshapes our perceptions of math, data, and personal capabilities. Recognizing the significance of diversity in individuals and varied learning strategies allows everyone to thrive. Whether numbers instill a sense of competence or cause anxiety varies widely among individuals. Dr. Jo Boaler, a Stanfo...

Are you ready to transform your math classroom by shifting the focus from grades to genuine learning?In today's educational landscape, many teachers struggle with moving away from a grade-centric approach to fostering a deeper understanding and love for mathematics in their students. In this episode we speak with high school math teacher Lori Martin about her shift from traditional teacher to Building Thinking Classroom practitioner. Stick around and you’ll learn practical strategie...

Ever wondered why traditional math education might be holding back our true potential to understand and use mathematics effectively?Conrad Wolfram, strategic director of Wolfram Research and a prominent advocate for transforming math education, joins Jon and Kyle in this episode to explore revolutionary approaches to teaching math. With a fascinating journey from a math and physics enthusiast to a leader in computation software, Conrad sheds light on how our current education system may not b...

As a math coach, how do you get teachers to open up to you so you can best serve them? What purposeful questions can you put in your “back pocket” to keep the coaching alive instead of just turning the session into “show and tell” ? Listen in to this episode as we chat with first year math coach Connor Wagner from Pittsburg. Connor has had great success as a classroom teacher and coach, but sometimes struggles with how to keep the teacher reflecting and holding back on advice giving. You...

Do we know what we are really measuring in our math assessments? What unintended thoughts are we conveying to our students when we pass the test back? How can we as parents and math professionals navigate complex relationships between teacher, parent, and student? This episode delves into the complex dynamics of math assessment, addressing a universal concern among parents and educators about how best to support and evaluate students' understanding without creating undue pressure or conf...

Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Can you feel the change that is happening in your district’s math program? Are you on the right pathway to improve math instruction and ultimately student success in your school or school district? These are all questions our guests, Michael Scott and Morgan Siler have asked themselves (and us) on their journey to transforming their math district’s math program from the inside out. Michael and Morgan are two math coordinators from Ohio...

Are you ready to transform your math classroom into a hub of student engagement and participation?If you're a math teacher or educator striving to maintain sustained student engagement and lead effective, captivating lessons, this episode is crafted for you.We caught up with 2-time mentoring moment guest Jeremy Sarzana, a high school teacher in Boston. Together we dive into nuanced strategies to engage the varying level of audiences we see during our day using timing, cadence, and the a...

Are you struggling to find the perfect balance between knowing what is enough guidance and structure you need to effectively teach your grade level or course? If you’re a district leader of math programming and struggling to figure out this same balance? How much is too much hand-holding? For math educators, coaches, and administrators, the challenge often lies in equipping teachers with the right tools without overshadowing their unique teaching styles while at the same time trying...

How can we engage our students for the entire class with grade level content? Puzzles aligned to grade level standards is one answer. In this episode we speak with Gordon Hamilton from Mathpickle.com who designs mathematical puzzles for K-12 classrooms. Stick with us and you’ll learn How to use puzzles to teach grade level standards, how to challenge students who tend to move through problems faster than others, and why games are important for mathematical thinking. You’ll Lea...

It can feel frustrating and overwhelming and you’ll feel like you’re forced to “go back to the drawing board” when your curriculum resource is pulled away from you.  What do we consider when trying to select a new curriculum resource? Are we supposed to create our own resources from scratch?  As educators, we are constantly facing the challenge of adapting our teaching methods to improve student understanding and engagement.  This often involves exploring new pedagogies, such as problem-based...

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! Each and every year, district and school mathematics leadership teams spend countless hours crafting lofty goals and monitoring plans, but struggle to state measurable improvement in effective teacher practice and student gains.  If you’ve ever wondered:  How can I create a pd action plan that teachers view as useful and not “just adding to their plates”?We feel like we have many of the necessary pieces, but we aren’t clear on how to put them together...

Ever felt like you're just "sprinkling fairy dust" in your educational role without making a real impact? This Math Mentoring is for every educator leader, math coach, or math coordinator grappling with the challenge of supporting teachers making meaningful changes in their teaching methods. It delves into the real-world struggles and victories of a math consultant navigating the complexities of influencing educational practices across multiple districts. You’ll Learn: Discover practical...

When you shift your teaching practices from “I do, we do, you” to a problem based approach that engages students to think first you will often be led to question how you give feedback to students.  In this episode we speak with Diane Hamilton, an elementary classroom teacher from Toronto Ontario.  Diane has been implementing the 14 strategies from Peter Liljedahl’s book Building Thinking Classrooms and is here to dig into how to give effective feedback to her students instead of...

Ever wondered how to transform math class into every student's favorite subject? Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of #MathPlay with Libo Valencia, a passionate high school math teacher from New York and author who believes in shaping the future of mathematics through engaging and playful teaching strategies. Explore the transformative power of Math Play with Libo Valencia, where we unravel how this approach can instill a lasting love for mathematics in every student. Discover...

How can you transform your middle school classroom with problem-based lessons while overcoming personal insecurities and teaching doubts? In this mentoring moment episode we speak with Joanne Ward, a middle school teacher from Taipei Taiwan who is tackling a common challenge faced by educators: the uncertainty and lack of confidence in implementing problem-based lessons.  Stick around and you’ll learn practical strategies to boost confidence in teaching with problem-based lessons.  You’ll...

Have you ever wondered how to ensure your teaching actions align seamlessly with your educational philosophies? How close is your practice with your preach?  In this episode we speak with Felicia Favela, a veteran 8th grade pre-algebra teacher from Phoenix Arizona who knows that in the realm of education, consistency between what we say and what we do is pivotal but still wonders how closely she’s aligned.  Stick around and you’ll hear us uncover the root cause of why Felicia feels that she’s...

Are you struggling to turn your ambitious math educational goals into tangible results in your classroom or district? Have you been asking: Where should I focus the efforts of my district math pd plan for the remainder of this year and following years? This episode of "Making Math Moments That Matter" is crucial for educators and district leaders of mathematics who are seeking practical strategies to elevate the impact of their teaching and planning. By focusing on goal setting and planning...

Explore the often unspoken struggles that even seasoned math teachers encounter when grappling with concepts in middle and high school grades. Gain insights into the power of anecdotal assessments for both understanding students and refining your own assessment practices. Discover practical approaches to implementing standards-based grading without getting lost in individual grades, and unravel the true purpose behind assigning grades. In this Mentoring Moment episode we bring back Nicholas...