Making Math Moments That Matter

Latest Episodes:

How Can I Battle My Insecurities When Teaching Through Tasks & Problem Based Math Lessons - A Math Mentoring Moment Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

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 also learn a comprehensive understanding of the “real flipped classroom” concept, enabling structured and effective problem-based learning that captivates and educates your students.

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.

You’ll Learn:

How to feel more confident when teaching with problem based lessons;
How to battle my own insecurities when stepping into my middle school classroom;
How often I should be teaching with problem based lessons;
How can I teach problem based lessons in a structured way; and,
How to teach the “real flipped classroom”.

Resources:

Chocolate Mania Lesson on Volume & Proportions
Peek Into Jon’s Class and see 30 Days in 30 Minutes
Assessment For Growth: A Blueprint Course For Standards Based Grading in Math Class
Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units

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.

How To Align Your Math Classroom Teaching Practices With Your Philosophy - A Math Mentoring Moment Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

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 not aligned with her philosophies, how to identify when students are primed to progress to new challenges, maximizing their learning potential, and learn to harness the power of problem-based lessons as a tool for formative assessment, enhancing your ability to cater to individual student needs.

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.

You’ll Learn:

How can I make sure my actions match my words?
How do I recognize when my students are ready to move to the next problem when using thin slicing from Building Thinking Classrooms;
Why problem based lessons are formative assessment gold mines;
How we can truly differentiate my instruction while leading a Building Thinking Classroom lesson;
What clues do we look for when deciding if a student “gets it”.

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!

Where should we focus our district’s math PD goals for the rest of this year? Next year? Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

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 in mathematics education, it addresses the common challenge of aligning educational objectives with measurable outcomes, ensuring that your teaching methods lead to significant, positive changes in student learning and engagement.

What you’ll learn:

Insight into Effective Goal-Setting: Learn how to set precise, achievable objectives in your classroom, ensuring you're not overwhelmed while still making a significant impact.
Strategies for Measuring Success: Discover how to define and measure key results, equipping you with tools to gauge the effectiveness of your teaching strategies accurately.
Guidance on Prioritization and Focus: Gain an understanding of how to identify and concentrate on 'rocks' or major priorities, helping you to stay focused on what matters most in your educational journey.

Listen to this episode now to transform your district math goals into measurable, impactful realities and start making math moments that truly matter.

Resources:

Make Math Moments District Math Assessment

Make Math Moments District Improvement Program

Make Math Moments Academy

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!

Navigating the Blend: Unifying Grades in Standards-Based Grading - A Math Mentoring Moment Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

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 Rhodes to continue exploring his pebbles in Standards Based Grading.

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.

You’ll Learn:

How even math teachers can still struggle to conceptually understand some of the mathematics we commonly share in middle and high school grades;
Why anecdotally assessing where you believe students might be can be helpful to assess your own assessment practices;
What is the best approach to attempting standards based grading without getting mixed up in all of the individual “grades”
The true purpose of assigning grades;
How we can redesign evaluations and assessments;

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!

How To Consolidate & Close Your Building Thinking Classroom Lesson [Part 2] Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures.

While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand.

Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins.

Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and Kyle Pearce from the opening session of the 2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit as they discuss one of the most important, yet often overlooked parts of an effective problem based mathematics lesson: the closing.

This is part 2 of the hour-long Keynote session from this past year’s Virtual Summit in November.

What You’ll Learn:

Practical Strategies for Dynamic Teaching: Learn how to adapt your teaching style to meet the evolving needs of your students, ensuring that each lesson is as effective as possible.
Deep Dive into Consolidation Techniques: Gain insights into powerful consolidation methods, such as gallery walks and group discussions, that can enhance student understanding of complex concepts.
Innovative Note-Taking Approach: Discover a structured note-taking method that not only aids in student learning but also encourages active participation and reflection.

Resources:

2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit

Make Math Moments Academy

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!

The Crucial Role of Educational Leadership in Math - An Interview with Rob Baier Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Curious about the transformative power of leadership in mathematics education? Ever felt the challenge of aligning your strategic plan when it seems like you're constantly putting out fires? Join us in this episode where we unravel the critical importance of seeking support in leadership roles and dive into a conversation with Rob Baier, Executive Director of Mathematics and STEM at Pittsburgh Public Schools.

If you're an educator navigating the complexities of coaching, consulting, or directing, this episode is your guide. Rob Baier, co-host of the Debate Math Podcast, shares insights on staying aligned to your strategic plan amidst chaos, the significance of andragogy in leading mathematics educators, and the key to optimizing coaching and professional learning models.

Gain a profound understanding of why seeking appropriate support is crucial for educators stepping into leadership roles.
Discover the transformative potential of andragogy in leading mathematics educators, offering a fresh perspective for educational leaders.
Uncover actionable insights on reviewing coaching models, ensuring they optimally serve educators, and staying aligned with district vision and strategic plans.

Ready to elevate your leadership game in mathematics education? Click now to listen and lead with newfound passion and impact. Don't miss this chance to reshape your approach and empower both educators and students in your district!

You’ll Learn:

Why it is important for mathematics educators to seek out the appropriate support to take on leadership roles such as coaching, consulting, supervising, directing, etc.;
Why mathematics leaders should consider studying and practicing andragogy in order to lead mathematics educators in their district;
How reviewing your coaching and professional learning model on a regular basis will ensure it is optimally serving educators;
How reviewing your curriculum resource and ensuring it supports the teaching of mathematics in a way that aligns with your district vision is critically important;
How to stay aligned to your strategic plan for mathematics when you always feel like you’re putting out fires; and,
As a leader how do we balance supporting teachers directly in a coaching role and trying to build capacity at scale in a district.

Resources:

Find Rob on X: @rob_baier

Debate Math Podcast with Chris Luzniak and Rob Baier

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 Consolidate & Close Your Building Thinking Classroom Lesson [Part 1] Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand.

Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins.

This is part 1 of the hour-long Keynote session from this past year’s Virtual Summit in November. Look for part 2 in two weeks.

What You’ll Learn:

Gain insights into reevaluating traditional teaching methods and discover why "leveling to the top" might be holding back student engagement.
Explore the power of the "Consolidating from the Bottom" strategy – a teaching approach designed to make lesson closure inclusive and effective for all students.
Learn the art of responsive teaching, fostering flexibility in your lesson plans to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment.

Resources:

2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit

Make Math Moments Academy

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!

Creating Safe and Equitable Math Classrooms - A Math Mentoring Moment Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever wondered why creating a safe space for students in mathematics class is crucial? This episode of The Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast explores this question and unveils insights that will reshape the way you think about math education.

In a world where educational equity is a pressing concern, ensuring that schools are safe places for students becomes paramount. This episode delves into the critical role of a safe environment, especially in mathematics classes. Discover how breaking free from over-generalizations can pave the way for equitable math lessons and why helping teachers build their math proficiency is key to fostering an inclusive classroom. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of these concepts and their real-world implications.

Unlock the secrets to creating a safe and equitable math classroom by listening to the latest Make Math Moments episode now. Transform your approach to math education and contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive learning space for all students. Press play and embark on a journey to reshape math education today!

You’ll Learn:

Gain insights into why creating a safe space in math class is not just desirable but essential for student success and well-being.
Learn practical strategies to help teachers break free from over-generalizations, creating math lessons that cater to diverse learning needs and backgrounds.
Discover the importance of teachers' math proficiency and how empowering educators in this aspect can lead to a more equitable and supportive learning environment.

Resources:

Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units

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!

Can We Build A Thinking Classroom & Still Maintain Rigor - A Math Mentoring Moment Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Today we speak with Michael Finley, the academic dean for math and science at a K-12 independent school.

Michael's staff is questioning their work in building thinking classrooms and how it serves high achieving students.

Listen in as we brainstorm strategies to uncover micro moves and macro plans to build a classroom culture that allows a thinking classroom to emerge.

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.

You’ll Learn:

How to move quickly on a new initiative while ensuring all educators are coming along for the ride;
Why facilitating a Thinking Classroom in mathematics effectively involves a significant amount of nuance;
Why intentionality is even more important when facilitating a Thinking Classroom than it was when leading a gradual release of responsibility lesson;
What is the true definition of rigor?

Resources:

Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units

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 You Cleaning Up Messes That Haven't Happened Yet? - A Math Mentoring Moment Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Today we speak with Diana Worthen, a 10th grade math teacher from Denver Colorado. In our discussion we help to shake out a common pebble in an educator's shoes: How to keep students engaged during practice time. Stick around and you’ll hear why students tend to “shut down” after a teacher led lesson; how to be more targeted with your 1 on 1 support with your students; and how to structure your lessons to maximize engagement during your entire math block.
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.
You’ll Learn:

Why students tend to “shut down” after a teacher led lesson;
How to be more targeted with your 1 on 1 support with your students; and,
How to structure your lessons to maximize engagement during your entire math block.

Resources: