Making Math Moments That Matter

Latest Episodes:

How To Answer The Most Fundamental Question In Math Education Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

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 teachers and students are supported.

You’ll learn:

Reflective Practice: Gain practical strategies for reflecting on your teaching sessions to identify what works and what doesn’t, fostering continuous improvement.
Systematic Measurement: Learn about adopting a scientific approach to measure the success and growth of your students or colleagues, ensuring intentional and effective teaching methods.
Addressing Hidden Issues: Understand how to uncover and address less obvious issues in your classroom that can make a significant difference.

Listen to this episode now to start transforming your math teaching strategies through reflection, measurement, and intentional improvement.
Resources:

Making Math Moments Academy - Strengthen all six (6) key areas of an effective math classroom.

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning.

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

International Math Classes: How Does Your Math Class Compare? - An Interview with Amy Bride Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

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 perspectives or an K-12 administrator looking to enhance your district's math program, this episode will provide valuable insights into different approaches to teaching and learning math.

Tune in to this episode now to explore diverse global perspectives on math education and find inspiration for your own teaching practices!

You’ll Learn:

How the practices you’re using in your math class now stack up against effective practices being implemented across the globe.
Discover how interactive and culturally embedded teaching methods can transform math lessons into engaging stories that captivate students' interest.
Learn about unique practices from European classrooms, such as using everyday items for math education and fostering student independence, and how these can be adapted to North American contexts.
Gain insights into how different cultural norms and educational systems impact student engagement and responsibility, offering new strategies to encourage ownership of learning in your own classroom.

Resources:

Why Teaching Math Is Hard

World2Math.com

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Effective Tier 2 Support: Is This What It Should Look Like In Math Class? - A Math Mentoring Moment Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

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’ll learn:

Discover innovative methods for providing individualized math instruction that caters to students with unique learning needs.
Learn about the practical challenges and solutions in aligning classroom strategies with intervention programs to enhance student understanding.
Gain insights into balancing the demands of teaching with personal and professional growth in the educational field.

This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we chat with a teacher like you who is working through some problems of practice and together we brainstorm ways to overcome them.

Resources:

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Are Your Priorities Backwards In Your Math Classroom or Across Your District? Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

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 how to refocus your teaching methods to prioritize student outcomes over tools and resources.
Discover the importance of understanding root causes and long-term goals to enhance adaptive reasoning skills in students.
Get practical advice on how to align your classroom objectives with the goals of your mathematics program for a stronger educational foundation.

Tune in to this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast to transform your teaching approach and better align your classroom with your educational goals.

Resources:

Making Math Moments Academy - Strengthen all six (6) key areas of an effective math classroom.

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

How to Use Portfolios in a Math Classroom: Is It Worth It? - A Math Mentoring Moment Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

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 knowledge to the table, offering Seth practical advice on making the most out of limited class time, providing meaningful feedback, and setting achievable goals. Whether you're struggling to balance assessment with instruction or seeking to cultivate a growth-oriented culture, this episode provides actionable strategies and encouragement to help you navigate the complexities of assessment in math class.

Gain practical strategies for implementing standards-based grading and using portfolios to enhance student learning and feedback.
Learn how to create engaging math problems and develop standards that drive student success and engagement.
Get insights on leading a math department effectively, with tips on setting achievable goals, fostering a growth-oriented culture, and using humor and relatability in teaching.

Don't miss out on transforming your math teaching approach—tune in to this episode now and unlock the secrets to a more engaging and effective math classroom!

Resources:

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Side Step The Scope & Sequence? Problem Based Teaching & Your Curriculum Resources Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

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 educators: how to effectively integrate math curriculum resources and/or supplement those resources to make lessons more impactful and relevant for students.

By understanding the intentionality behind these math resources, teachers can not only save planning time but also deliver more sense-making lessons.

Learn what some necessary prerequisites are to create effective learning experiences in the math classroom.
Gain insights into the significance of understanding the goals and intentions of curriculum resources.
Learn strategies for collaborating with colleagues to deepen content knowledge and improve lesson delivery.
Discover practical tips for making small, effective tweaks to curriculum activities to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Tune in now to discover how understanding the intentionality behind your math curriculum resources can transform your teaching and boost student success!

Resources:

Making Math Moments Academy - Strengthen all six (6) key areas of an effective math classroom.

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Math-ish: An Interview with Dr. Jo Boaler Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

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 Stanford researcher and esteemed professor of mathematics education, contends that embracing these individual differences is crucial for tapping into our fullest potential in mathematics.

Lean into this conversation and you’ll come out the other side with an innovative approach focusing on estimation and deeper conceptual understanding, which has proven more effective and preferred by students over traditional methods.

You’ll also learn about breaking away from rigid, rule-based learning to allow students to utilize their own problem-solving skills….and much more.

You’ll Learn:

How personal experiences with mathematics shaped their teaching approaches, emphasizing the need to move away from traditional methods to more engaging and constructive learning experiences.
The concept of "mathish" — an innovative approach focusing on estimation and deeper conceptual understanding, which has proven more effective and preferred by students over traditional methods. This approach not only improves calculation accuracy but also enhances performance in standardized testing.
Breaking away from rigid, rule-based learning to allow students to utilize their own problem-solving skills. This approach aims to overcome the negative perception of math as a controlled and uncreative subject, fostering a more open and explorative learning environment.
The importance of nurturing critical thinking and personalized learning experiences. Despite some resistance from students used to more directive teaching styles, you’ll learn the benefits of encouraging students to engage deeply with mathematical concepts.

Resources:

Math-ish by Dr. Jo Boaler [Book]

Mathish.org [Website]

Youcubed Facebook Group

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

How To Build Teaching Confidence: An Interview with Lori Martin Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

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 strategies and insights that can help you make this important shift.

You’ll Learn:

Discover Peter's Liljedahl’s building thinking classroom methods to engage students in meaningful mathematical discussions and problem-solving.
Gain insights on how to become more confident in experimenting with new teaching approaches and embracing a growth mindset.
Understand the importance of creating space for students to think and problem-solve independently, leading to a more student-centered classroom.

Resources:

Twitter / X @coachlorim

Facebook "Math Help with Coach Lo"

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Rethinking Math: Conrad Wolfram on Revolutionizing Education for the Digital Age Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

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 be equipping students for the real-world challenges that await them in a technology-driven environment.

What you’ll learn:

Discover Conrad's unique insights into the common misunderstandings and misconceptions in mathematics that can affect learners' confidence and interest.
Learn about the shift towards computational thinking and how embracing technology can enhance our problem-solving capabilities.
Gain an understanding of why a reevaluation of what and how we teach in math classes could lead to more effective and meaningful education outcomes.

Dive into this thought-provoking discussion to see how we can leverage computers to transform math education for the better—listen to the latest episode now!

Resources:

US Math Wars: What I Know & What I Don’t [Conrad Wolfram]

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

How To Coach Math Teachers Through Questioning: A Math Mentoring Moment May 27, 2024

Show notes

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’ll Learn:

How to utilize and tweak techniques like the "Pebble in Your Shoe" to identify subtle yet significant challenges in teaching practices. This strategy prompts reflective thinking and continuous improvement among teachers.
Insights into the critical role of listening and asking open-ended questions in coaching. Improving these skills can lead to better support and deeper insights into the needs and successes of teachers.
How to apply the "Magic Wand" approach for practical goal setting. This method emphasizes identifying small, actionable changes that can lead to significant improvements in the classroom.
A variety of prompts and questions to keep the coaching alive and not rush to answer giving.

This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we chat with a teacher like you who is working through some problems of practice and together we brainstorm ways to overcome them.
Resources:

District Math Leaders:

How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge?

What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support?

Book a short conversation with our team now.

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!