The Build Math Minds Podcast

Episode 191 - Math Teaching Strategies: Highlights from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit Live Sessions Mar 02, 2025

Highlights from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit

Get a look into the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's six live sessions that are transforming mathematics instruction in classrooms across the country. This episode captures the essence of innovative teaching approaches from some of the most influential voices in math education today.

Discover how Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux are revolutionizing classrooms with their "Building Thinking Classrooms" approach, including their counterintuitive advice to create "bad examples" that spark genuine problem-solving. Listen as Pam Harris demonstrates how simple "helper problems" can build powerful number relationships without relying on mindless algorithms.

You'll gain practical insights from Shannon Olson on effectively connecting the five types of mathematical representations, and witness Kim Rimbey's fascinating exploration of how ten frames can develop deep place value understanding across all grade levels. NCTM President Latrenda Knighten shares engaging strategies for incorporating children's literature and instructional routines to enhance mathematical discourse, while Ann Elise Record demonstrates why visual models are far more effective than the misleading "keyword" approach for tackling word problems.

This episode isn't just about theory—it's packed with classroom-tested strategies you can implement immediately to deepen your students' mathematical understanding and confidence.

Show Notes:

Building Thinking Classrooms through non-examples and "just-in-time" teaching
Moving beyond algorithms to develop mathematical relationships
Connecting contextual, physical, visual, symbolic, and verbal representations
Using ten frames to develop place value understanding across grade levels
Enhancing mathematical discourse through children's literature and instructional routines
Visual modeling approaches for word problems that transcend "keyword" strategies

Featured Speakers: Building Thinking Classrooms Peter Liljedahl & Maegan Giroux, Pam Harris, Shannon Olson, Kim Rimbey, NCTM President Latrenda Knighten, and Ann Elise Record

Note: March 3rd is the last day to watch the 2025 Virtual Math Summit sessions for free. Extended access is available through BuildMathMinds.com/bmm

Episode 190 - Building Equitable Math Classrooms Where Every Student Thrives Feb 23, 2025

Get a look at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's equity-focused sessions. This episode weaves together insights from leading voices in mathematics education who are transforming how we teach math to ensure every student succeeds. Featuring compelling data and classroom examples from Dr. Pamela Seda, Christina Lincoln-Moore, Dawn Dibley, and Susan Jo Russell & Deborah Schifter, you'll discover how to create truly inclusive math classrooms where all students can thrive.

Learn why traditional teaching approaches aren't serving all students, how to recognize and nurture mathematical brilliance in every child, and practical strategies for implementing Universal Design for Learning in your math instruction. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or administrator, this episode will challenge your thinking about equity in mathematics education and provide concrete steps for creating positive change.

This isn't just another conversation about equity - it's a call to action backed by research, classroom examples, and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Don't miss these powerful insights:

The urgency for change in mathematics education
Recognizing and nurturing student brilliance
Universal Design for Learning in mathematics
Creating space for student voice and mathematical thinking

Featured Speakers: Dr. Pamela Seda, Christina Lincoln-Moore, Dawn Dibley, Susan Jo Russell & Deborah Schifter

Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch the full versions of these sessions through March 3rd.

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/190

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 189 - Making Math Irresistible: 4 Expert Strategies for Student Engagement in Elementary Math Feb 16, 2025

Get four powerful strategies for making mathematics engaging and accessible for elementary students from expert presenters at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Dr. Raj Shah reveals the psychology of engagement through video game design principles, while Kristin Acosta demonstrates how to use everyday images to spark mathematical discussions. Jeff Gobin shows how digital manipulatives can make abstract concepts concrete, and Tyler Tarver shares research on leveraging educational videos effectively in mathematics instruction. Whether you're looking to increase student participation, reduce math anxiety, or create more engaging lessons, this episode provides practical, research-based strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom. Learn how to meet students where they are while guiding them toward deeper mathematical understanding through visual, digital, and traditional approaches to learning.

Featured Speakers: Dr. Raj Shah, Kristen Acosta, Jeff Gobin, and Tyler Tarver

Discover how to transform your math instruction and make mathematics accessible and engaging for all students. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch the full versions of these sessions February 22nd & 23rd.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/189

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 188 - The Science of Making Math Stick: Using Brain Research to Combat the NAEP Score Crisis Feb 09, 2025

How can we help our students retain what they learn in mathematics? The latest 2024 NAEP scores show that only 39% of 4th grade students and 28% of 8th grade students are performing at or above the Proficient level in mathematics, suggesting many students aren't retaining fundamental concepts. In this episode, Christina shares research-backed strategies from two Virtual Math Summit presenters, Jen Hunt and Michaela Epstein, that can help combat these concerning trends. Learn about The Forgetting Curve, how working memory impacts math learning, and why practices like math games and spaced practice are scientifically proven to help students retain mathematical concepts. Discover three practical strategies you can implement tomorrow to help your students better retain what they learn in mathematics. Plus, get insights into how dual coding theory and dopamine play crucial roles in mathematical learning and retention. These brain-based strategies can help your students build lasting mathematical understanding.

Featured speakers: Jen Hunt and Michaela Epstein

Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch these transformative sessions February 22nd & 23rd.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/188

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 187 - Problem Solving Success: 3 Experts’ Ideas from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit Feb 02, 2025

In this episode, get an inside look at three powerful sessions from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit focused on transforming math problem solving in elementary classrooms. Listen to clips from John SanGiovanni sharing a unique routine that shifts focus from answers to understanding, Danielle Moore demonstrating practical strategies for building student independence through CGI instruction, and Christine Riad exploring how classroom culture impacts students' problem-solving confidence. These pre-recorded sessions, along with Ann Elise Record's live session mentioned in episode 186, will give you practical tools to address common struggles students face when solving math problems. Learn how to help students move beyond just asking "Is this addition or subtraction?" to becoming confident mathematical thinkers. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch these transformative sessions February 22nd & 23rd.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/187

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 186 - Live Elementary Math PD Sessions You Won't Want to Miss: 2025 Virtual Math Summit Preview Jan 26, 2025

In this episode, get a sneak peek at the live sessions happening at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Learn about sessions from renowned math educators including Pam Harris on moving beyond algorithms, Shannon Olson on connecting mathematical representations, Kim Rimbey's innovative approach to ten-frames, Latrenda Knighten's strategies for mathematical discourse, and Ann Elise Record's deep dive into visualizing problem-solving structures. These live sessions, happening February 22nd-23rd, are designed to give you practical, classroom-ready strategies you can implement immediately. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com and learn about options for extended viewing of all sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/186

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 185 - Tasks for Building Thinking Classrooms - Virtual Math Summit 2025 preview Jan 19, 2025

In Episode 185, we dive into Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC), one of the most transformative approaches in mathematics education. Learn why this popular teaching method is more than just vertical surfaces and random groups - it's about creating environments where students truly think and engage with mathematics. This episode addresses a common misconception about BTC and previews the Peter Liljedahl & Maegan Giroux’s 2025 Virtual Math Summit opening keynote. Plus, get insights from their new book 'Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom.' Whether you're new to BTC or looking to deepen your practice, this episode gives you some important things to contemplate so you can implement thinking classrooms effectively.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/185

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

Episode 184 - Don’t Discount the Use of Games in Your Classroom Jan 12, 2025

Transform both your math AND reading instruction with two powerful game-based resources! In this episode, discover how to implement engaging games that provide meaningful practice without the typical hassles of game setup and complicated rules. Learn about Reading Simplified's "Switch It" game for building foundational reading skills, and explore the versatile "Evergreen Games" for math practice that can be adapted for any math concept throughout the year. These games offer the perfect balance of fun and learning, allowing students to get multiple repetitions while actually enjoying the practice!

Key Takeaways:

Learn about two free game resources for math and reading
Discover how to adapt games for different math concepts
Understand why games are more effective than worksheets
Access templates you can use all year long

Request Switch It! from Reading Simplified here: https://readingsimplified.com/switch-it/?utm_source=Affiliate&utm_campaign=BMM

Get the Evergreen Games Template document here: buildmathminds.com/games

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/184

Episode 183 - The Count - Uncovering Mathematical Structure in Elementary Classrooms Dec 15, 2024

The Count is an activity from John SanGiovanni's book that turns simple counting into a deep mathematical exploration. In this episode, learn how this routine helps elementary students engage with Math Practice #7 by looking for and making use of mathematical structure. We'll break down how a seemingly simple counting sequence can develop number sense, encourage mathematical thinking, and create a low-pressure environment for pattern recognition.

Key Takeaways:

Learn what "The Count" activity is and how to implement it
Understand how counting can develop deeper mathematical thinking
Questions to help students look for and use the patterns created by the structure of numbers

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/183

Get the special offer to join the Build Math Minds PD site at https://buildmathminds.com/special

Episode 182 - Visual Patterns: The Secret Weapon for Teaching The Math Practices Dec 08, 2024

Discover how Visual Patterns can transform mathematical thinking in your elementary classroom! Listen in as we explore Fawn Nguyen's powerful activity that engages students in all 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice. Learn how a single activity can help students reason, argue, model, and see the hidden structures in mathematics. This episode is a must-listen for educators looking to make math more engaging, meaningful, and accessible for their students.

Key Takeaways:

Understand how Visual Patterns support mathematical thinking
Learn strategies to engage students across all Math Practice Standards
Discover a low-prep, high-impact math resource

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/182

Episode 181 - Exploring Patterns Through Number Routines Dec 01, 2024

The predictability of mathematics is one of the things I love about math. There are some great activities you can do in your classroom with your students to help them see & USE that predictability. Last week I shared one (Leaping Numbers) and this week I’m sharing another: Finding One and All. This is a great number routine that is similar, yet different, to Number Strings and is a wonderful way to get your students engaged in Math Practice #7: Look For and Make Use of Structure.

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/181

For Build Math Minds Members, log in here to access the done-for-you routine: https://pd.buildmathminds.com/

If you aren’t a member you can join here: https://buildmathminds.com/bmm/

Episode 180 - Leaping Numbers: a great math activity for exploring patterns Nov 24, 2024

Want a fun, engaging, and mathematically powerful activity to help keep your students engaged in math until the holiday break? In this episode I’m sharing a new activity by one of my favorite creators, Steve Wyborney, Leaping Numbers. This activity is a great way to get your students doing Standard of Math Practice #7: Look For & Make Use of Structure.

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/180

Episode 179 - A Math Hack That Isn’t a Hack Nov 17, 2024

Math tricks or hacks are everywhere, but which ones should you actually use with your students? I came across one this week on social media and thought I’d use it as an example to give you some ideas on how to approach the use of math tricks in your classroom.

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/179

Episode 178 - Students who struggle with Less Than problems Nov 10, 2024

This week’s episode comes from a question that was sent in about helping students who struggle with math problems that are written differently than kids typically see them. These types of “less than” math problems are strange because kids don’t often encounter them in that way even in their own lives. I’m giving you two tips to help students so that these types of problems aren’t so difficult for them.

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/178

Episode 177 - Math Misconceptions Nov 03, 2024

Math Misconceptions might just look like mistakes that your students are making, but they are usually slightly different. Mistakes happen when we don’t remember, or remember incorrectly, whereas Misconceptions are rooted in understanding…we believe this is the way it is. Mistakes happen from time to time, and are usually not anything to get too worried about. But Misconceptions stem from a person’s understanding of something and if it isn’t addressed it will forever be misunderstood. In this episode I’m introducing you to our series of short videos we have put together to start a conversation about math misconceptions kids have in the elementary grade.

Watch the Math Misconceptions videos in this Playlist on YouTube:

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/177

Episode 176 - Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms Oct 27, 2024

In this episode I’m introducing you to a not-yet-released book about the traps of math algorithms, but it’s actually so much more than that. It’s about women supporting women and lifting someone up when you see they are doing good instead of trying to tear them down.

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/176

Episode 175 - Always Building Relationships - Rounding Numbers Series Oct 20, 2024

Rounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this last episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving you an acronym to remember to help your students with rounding numbers: ABR. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to:

BuildMathMinds.com/175

Episode 174 - Helping Students Understand Magnitude of Numbers - Rounding Numbers Series Oct 13, 2024

Rounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this 2nd episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving my 2nd tip on how to help your students round with understanding. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to:

BuildMathMinds.com/174

Episode 173 - Using Number Lines to Round Numbers - Rounding Numbers Series Oct 06, 2024

Rounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this first episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving my first tip on how to help your students round with understanding. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to:

BuildMathMinds.com/173

Episode 172 - Is Emotional Teaching a Thing??? Sep 29, 2024

I think we’ve all heard and know about Emotional Eating, but have you ever felt like you’ve done Emotional TEACHING? Not sure it’s a thing, but it kind of feels like it should be. Listen in to my random thoughts and then let me know in the comments over on the YouTube video or the show notes page if you’ve ever done Emotional Teaching? I give an example of Teaching Emotionally in math, but your example could be from any content area.

Episode 171 - Summer Book Study for Elementary Math Educators Jun 02, 2024

Episode 170 - The Importance of Play May 26, 2024

My kids and I play a lot. Sports, card games, board games, but they all have a preset goal…to win. According to a book I’m reading, true play does NOT have a preset goal. So it got me wondering how much true play my kids, and I, actually do. I’m making it a goal to include more opportunities for us to truly play. In this episode I’m sharing my ideas on what I will be doing this summer to play (and getting my kids to join in) plus I give you the Seven Principles of Self-Active Play they lay out in the book I’m reading. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/170

Episode 169 - Math Fluency Through Flexibility May 19, 2024

If you’ve struggled with how to help your elementary students build their math fluency, there is one thing I encourage you to do: Help your students build their flexibility with numbers.

Textbooks try to directly teach strategies to students thinking that is how they will build flexibility, but you spend months doing that and then later in the year they act like they have no idea what you are talking about. That’s when we revert back to just making kids memorize.

In this episode we take a look at my book Fluency Through Flexibility…because fluency doesn’t happen from memorization or teaching a ton of different strategies, it happens when kids build connections & relationships around the numbers so they can use those to help them solve any math problem. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/169

Episode 168 - Use Math Manipulatives - No Matter The Age May 12, 2024

When I first started teaching I don’t think I ONCE used a math manipulative with my students. It was all about learning and memorizing procedures and I didn’t know they needed to actually understand the math. Now, I’m a Recovering Traditionalist and I know that kids need to understand the math, not just DO it, and to help them understand they need to work with math manipulatives.

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 key things to watch out for when working with math manipulatives. We need to be using math manipulatives at any age however we need to make sure we do it properly or they can easily become just like any other rote procedure we tend to teach kids in mathematics. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/168

Episode 167 - Mental Math does NOT mean doing it in your head May 05, 2024

Growing up I thought doing Mental Math meant doing the algorithm in my head. Times have changed and now many educators have kids solve math in different ways but during Mental Math it’s still only having kids to do math in their head. That’s not exactly what Mental Math should be about. In this episode we explore what doing Mental Math really should be like. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/167

Episode 166 - A Child’s Progression When Grouping to Count Items Apr 28, 2024

If you’ve ever watched a child during a counting collection and thought “Ugh! Why are you grouping the items like that?!?” Well, there’s probably a reason.

There is a progression kids go through when organizing items they are counting. Now even though this information comes from a book about Early Childhood Education, it still applies to those of you in 3rd-5th as you work to help them group items in ways that lead to multiplicative thinking.

Watch this week’s video about The Progression of Grouping to help you understand why kids might be grouping items a certain way and how to help them. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/166

Episode 165 - Geometry in PreK-2 is more than just knowing names of shapes Apr 14, 2024

It is commonly thought that Geometry in the early grades is just about getting kids to name and identify shapes. There are actually 4 big ideas talked about in the Navigating Through Geometry book. One of which is the work around two- and three-dimensional shapes but it is so much more than just naming & identifying shapes. In this episode we take a look at what knowledge kids in PreK-2 should be developing around shapes and the types of experiences you can provide to help them develop it. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/165

Episode 164 - The Power of Using Inverse Operations to Subtract & Divide Apr 07, 2024

There are 4 main strategies children tend to use to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. These math strategies are not tricks. Their foundations are built on number relationships and properties of operations. In the Math Strategy Sessions we have already explored 3 of the strategies and our next session is focused on helping kids use and understand the Inverse Operation Strategy (https://buildmathminds.com/strategy-sessions to register). This is more than just helping kids know Fact Families, it’s about helping them understand the meanings of the operations and the connections between Addition-Subtraction and Multiplication-Division. Helping your students develop the Inverse Operation Strategy will last them the rest of their lives. In this episode I’m sharing the first books I read that highlighted the importance of helping kids develop the strategy. I never learned I could solve a subtraction problem with addition (or division with multiplication) until I was an adult. Kids should be building this understanding way before I did. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/164

Episode 163 - Helping Your Students to Be a Successful Student Mar 31, 2024

There are lots of Problems of Teaching when you are helping young kids learn mathematics. One of the hardest ones is helping your students to be successful learners, constantly trying to manage a large classroom of students who often are not very productive. In the book Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching by Dr. Magdalene Lampert, there was a line in the chapter Teaching Students to Be People Who Study in School, that still has me thinking: “...if we view students’ productive or unproductive actions in the classroom as expressions of who they think they are, then classroom management merges with something that might be called ‘academic character education.’” That whole section of the book got me thinking of things you could do in your classroom to help your students be students who study mathematics, which in turn helps them to be successful learners. Listen for my 4 ways to help your students be successful learners of mathematics. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/163

Episode 162 - Approximation, Precision, & Accuracy in Measurement Mar 24, 2024

In this video I’m sharing a part of a book that made me go “Hmm, I’ve never really thought about that!” It has to do with just how precise we can actually be when measuring items. One of the Standards of Mathematical Practice is “Attend to Precision” which is about being precise in all mathematical vocabulary and content, but just how precise should we make students be when it comes to measurement? Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/162

Episode 161 - A candy bar is better than a pie…when it comes to fractions Mar 17, 2024

I love pies, Pecan Pie especially, but I don’t love them during math time. Pies, well circles in general, are an overused visual when it comes to the teaching of fractions. In this video we take a look at visual fraction models that are much better to use and will be helpful to your students as they progress into other mathematical concepts like percentages, ratios, etc. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/161

Episode 160 - Tips for Getting Kids to Talk in Math Class Mar 03, 2024

After the 2024 Virtual Math Summit, there was so much mention of using Sentence Stems I wanted to dig a bit deeper into them. In my research I stumbled upon an old blog post by one of my favorite Math-y people, Sara Van Der Werf. In this podcast episode I’m sharing a piece of her blog post that talks about one tweak you can make to Think/Pair/Share (or Turn & Talk) to help get your students more engaged in the math discussion. Take a listen and go to buildmathminds.com/160 for any links mentioned in the episode.

Episode 159 - The Number Strings Queens Feb 25, 2024

Cathy Fosnot and Pam Harris are The Queens of Number Strings (or Problem Strings as Pam would call them). I’m way too excited about the fact they are teaming up to do a one-day workshop all about using Problem Strings for Automaticity, Fluency, and Beyond. If you’ve been doing number strings and want to go more in depth on how to use them in your classroom, I highly recommend going to this workshop. Go to https://buildmathminds.com/159 to get links to items mentioned in the episode.

Episode 158 - Virtual Math Summit Preview: Preventing Teacher Burnout Feb 18, 2024

Before the 2024 Virtual Math Summit starts next week, enjoy this preview of a Pre-Summit Session by Rosalba Serrano on Preventing Teacher Burnout. Rosalba shares a ton of information and ideas to help you with burnout but I specifically picked this clip because one of the ideas she shared is one that my family uses a lot: Control the Controllables.

Get registered so you can watch Rosalba’s full session before the summit starts: VirtualMathSummit.com/register.

Episode 157 - Virtual Math Summit Preview: Challenges and Benefits of Building Kids' Thinking Feb 11, 2024

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit is in two weeks! Here’s a preview of 3 sessions from Jenny Foreman, Loren Thorpe, and myself talking about the challenges and benefits of working on getting your students to think and not just compute during math class. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/157.

Episode 156 - Virtual Math Summit Preview: Things to Think About When Doing Number Routines Feb 04, 2024

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit is this month! Here’s a preview of 3 sessions from Michaela Epstein, Rosalba Serrano, and Nicole Thompson & Jessica Batinovic giving you tips, ideas, and inspiration to make our Number Routines the best they can be for your students. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/156.

Episode 155 - Virtual Math Summit Preview: Teaching Math with Newcomers in Mind Jan 28, 2024

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit starts in less than 1 month! Check out this preview of Dr. Jim Ewing’s keynote session about Teaching Math with Newcomers in Mind. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/155.

Episode 154 - Virtual Math Summit Preview: Helping Students Understand Multiplication Jan 21, 2024

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit is coming soon. This week’s episode gives you a preview of 4 sessions that focus on helping students build their understanding and fluency of multiplication. Check out this preview of Shannon Olson, Juli Dixon, Thuc-Khahn Park, and Brittany Hege’s sessions. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/154.

Episode 153: Virtual Math Summit Preview: Tips for Creating Student-Centered Classrooms Jan 14, 2024

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit is just around the corner. This week’s episode gives you a preview of 4 of the sessions. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. I’m a huge supporter of Student-Centered Classrooms and so for this episode I grabbed some clips to share with you that give you ideas for ways to create that in your math class. Tammy McMorrow, Latrenda Knighten, Ed Nolan, and Mona Iehl each have presentations at this year’s Virtual Math Summit that help bring your students to the center. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/153.

Episode 152 - Why don't you talk about Time & Money? Jan 07, 2024

I get asked why I don’t do much training about Time & Measurement. I do have some videos, you can see them in my Playlists at the YouTube channel, but there is a real reason why I don’t talk about those concepts as much as others. So in this video you get my thoughts (based upon what other math educators & researchers have to say) about why we shouldn’t spend a bunch of time teaching time & measurement in math class.

Episode 151 - What Do Students Need to Know About Division? Dec 17, 2023

This essential understanding about division is something even adults struggle with: Division is defined by its inverse relationship with multiplication. Our textbooks want us to teach division as its own separate operation but a key to helping students understand and become proficient in division is to teach it in conjunction with multiplication. In this episode I’m sharing an excerpt from one book in the Putting Essential Understandings into Practice series. To get any links mentioned in this episode go to buildmathminds.com/151

Episode 150 - A Quick Math Story Problem Activity Dec 10, 2023

Want a quick & easy to implement activity that will show you how much your students know about the math operations and about math story problems? I’ve got it for you in this week’s Build Math Minds podcast. This idea comes from the book Taking Action: Implementing Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices by DeAnn Huinker and Victoria Bill. You can find a link to it and any other resources mentioned at the show notes page buildmathminds.com/150

Episode 149 - Things to Say Instead of IDK Dec 03, 2023

The two ends of the spectrum when teaching math seem to be “here are the exact ways to solve this problem, follow it exactly,” and “you figure it out, I’m not telling you anything.” Neither of these tend to work. Instead it’s about finding a balance between these. We need to give some guidance, but not too much. We want them to figure out ways to solve problems on their own but we can’t let them flounder.

The book 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive Classroom by John Seidlitz & Bill Perryman gives educators, as the title says, 7 steps and the first one is: teach students what to say when they don’t know what to say. This also applies when a student doesn’t know where to start with a math problem. So this week’s episode is helping students have Things to Say Instead of IDK.

Join the Build Math Minds PD site: https://buildmathminds.com/bmm

7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive Classroom by John Seidlitz & Bill Perryman

Build Math Minds YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/buildmathminds

Number Sense Kickstart Day #10 - Join The Flexibility Formula Course Oct 17, 2023

It's been an incredible journey over the past two weeks as we've explored nine key strategies to Kickstart your students' number sense. Now, as we reach the end of this Kickstart event, it's essential to understand that the foundations you're laying are seeds of number sense, and their growth will be gradual. These principles we've discussed serve as the blueprint for you to navigate through the upcoming school year:

Do Number Routines and Contextual Problems with a focus on understanding. Watch for your students’ thinking around the number sense concepts. Keep a record of those understandings to help guide the number routines & contextual problems you pick. While you are doing the number routines and contextual problems, make sure the students are doing the talking and you are listening. Use lots of visuals and try to connect the C-R-A models as much as you can. And then practice. Once the understanding is there, kids do need repeated, PURPOSEFUL practice.

That’s your blueprint.

Today, on Day 10, it's time to take this blueprint for building your students' number sense seriously. I've explored concepts, practical strategies, and provided resources to assist you on this path. However, there's more to discover, and if you are ready to explore these ideas further your Day 10 action item is: enroll in my online courses, The Flexibility Formula, tailored for K-2 and 3-5: https://buildmathminds.com/enroll/

Number Sense Kickstart Day #9 - Practice makes Permanent…not Perfect. Oct 16, 2023

The saying "Practice Makes Perfect" often implies that repetition leads to mastery. However, practicing something you do poorly, or incorrectly, doesn't make it perfect; it instead reinforces bad habits. Practice actually makes PERMANENT.

Practice is crucial, but it should follow the establishment of a strong sense of numbers. Day 9’s tip is to find a new way for students to practice math.

Today's audio message discusses two valuable approaches to make practice more enjoyable and connected to your students’ current mathematical needs: using math games and offering students choice during math practice. Listen in to get the details.

Practice is essential for reinforcing knowledge, but let’s do it in a way that is fun, differentiates for your students, and allows for students to reinforce the good mathematical thinking they’ve been building.

Get access to all the resources mentioned when you register for the Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #8 - Empowering Students Through the Use of Story Problems Oct 13, 2023

Day 8 of the Number Sense Kickstart emphasizes a simple, yet sometimes difficult, teaching strategy: Let students solve story problems, don’t give them the steps.

The concept of Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) plays a pivotal role here. It acknowledges that students bring their innate mathematical knowledge shaped by everyday experiences with numbers to the table when solving problems. Students often solve problems in different ways than we think they should mathematically…however their strategies are often rooted in the context of the problem so it’s helpful for educators to know the different problem types.

Your task for Day 8 is to select a problem from your textbook, ensure it meets the math content you need for the day, display it, and have your students solve it without offering explicit solution steps. Details on this are in today’s training.

This shift is often difficult for the kids (and you) so, if needed, you can experiment with Numberless Word Problems, an approach developed by Brian Bushart, which gradually introduces numerical information into word problems while promoting critical thinking and mathematical discourse.

As you implement the use of story problems, continue to focus on understanding, identify underlying number concepts, record student insights, actively listen, encourage visual representations, and embrace a variety of models to help kids build connections.

Get access to all the resources mentioned when you register for the Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #7 - Using Number Routines to Put Theoretical Ideas Into Practice Oct 12, 2023

In Day 7 of our Number Sense Kickstart we are shifting from the theoretical ideas I’ve shared so far into practical classroom strategies that make it easier to do the theoretical ideas.

Our first practical idea is to do a Number Routine with your students. These structured, brief activities, taking just 5-10 minutes, are a potent tool for meaningful math engagement. Number Routines help students develop the 8 number sense concepts, encouraging them to interact with numbers and share their thinking.

Number Routines create opportunities for deep mathematical understanding and allow teachers to listen more and talk less, gaining insights into student number sense. They can be visual or abstract, but when possible, it's beneficial to incorporate visuals to help your students make connections using the Concrete-Representational-Abstract models.

Listen to the training for today to learn more about Number Routines so you can use one with your students tomorrow.

Get access to all the resources mentioned when you register for the Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #6 - The Biggest Mistake Educators Make When Using the C-R-A Model Oct 11, 2023

Today we're diving into the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (C-R-A) model of teaching mathematics.

Typically, these stages are presented in isolation, with separate lessons for each. However, the real impact comes when all three are combined in a single lesson. This integration helps students see connections between different problem-solving methods and leads to those "A-HA" moments.

The action item for Day 6 of the Number Sense Kickstart is to seek opportunities to combine C-R-A in your math lessons. Whether in your textbook or your upcoming lesson, aim to integrate all three stages. Learn more about embracing this model to empower students to develop a deep understanding of mathematics.

Get access to all the resources mentioned when you register for the Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #5 - Are the Math Visuals You're Using Actually Helpful? Oct 10, 2023

It’s Day 5 of the Number Sense Kickstart and we're focusing on the power of visuals in elementary math education. Just like in reading, where creating mental images enhances comprehension, visuals are essential in math to deepen students' understanding of numbers and mathematical operations. However, sometimes the visuals that are in math textbooks and worksheets you download off the internet don’t actually help students understand the math.

In today’s training we look at ensuring that visuals you use in elementary math lessons help students make sense of the mathematics. There are lots of cases where the visuals being used in the lesson are more of a distraction than helping your students make sense of the math.

Get access to the Math Visuals Decision Tree and the Google Slides of Math Visuals when you register for the Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #4 - Listening to Student Thinking Oct 09, 2023

This is Day 4 of the Number Sense Kickstart and we are exploring the profound impact of active listening in the classroom.

Did you know that in the typical classroom, teachers do 89% of the talking, while students ask only 11 questions a day, primarily procedural ones? It's time to change this narrative and shift the balance toward student engagement.

We draw inspiration from educator Steven C. Reinhart’s article “Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say For You.” We explore his five techniques that are shared in the article. These techniques will guide you on your path to fostering student empowerment and deep mathematical understanding.

So, are you ready to transform your math classroom? Tune in to learn how to empower your students and truly understand their mathematical thinking. Day 4's tip is simple yet impactful: "Stop Talking & Start Listening."

Find practical strategies and resources on our Kickstart page to kickstart this transformation here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #3 - Having a record of what your students understand Oct 06, 2023

Most textbooks are focused on answer-getting so their assessments are also focused on just answer-getting. That doesn’t tell you anything about what your students understand, only what they can do. To ensure you are building your students’ understanding of numbers, you need some way to keep track of what they are understanding.

It’s Day 3 of the Number Sense Kickstart and today is all about recording what your students understand about the 8 number sense concepts. If you have taken The Flexibility Formula course, you have detailed information and observation sheets to help you do this. If not, Christina Tondevold gives you a simplified way to record what you are noticing about your students’ number sense. Tune in to listen or even go watch this episode over on the Build Math Minds’ YouTube channel so you can see part of the recording sheet: https://www.youtube.com/buildmathminds

Have you joined the Kickstart yet? Get the 10 Day checklist and the link to all resources mentioned by joining the 10-Day Number Sense Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart Day #2 - What understanding do your students need? Oct 05, 2023

Mathematics is so much more than just getting the answers. Answers are important, but that really doesn’t tell you what your students UNDERSTAND about math, it only tells you what they can DO.

If you want to see what your students understand there are 8 number sense concepts that are the root of understanding numbers. It’s Day 2 of our Number Sense Kickstart and in today’s episode Christina Tondevold is detailing each of those 8 number sense concepts. This is the longest video of our Kickstart and if you’ve taken Christina’s online course for teachers, The Flexibility Formula, you already know this information and can skip today’s episode and just do the tip for today: Determine what your students actually need to understand to do the lesson for tomorrow. If you haven’t heard of these 8 number sense concepts before, take a listen.

Download the 10 Day checklist and get the link to all resources mentioned by joining the 10-Day Number Sense Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Number Sense Kickstart - Day 1 Oct 04, 2023

Do you have students struggling with their number sense and fluency in elementary mathematics? You aren’t the only one! Over the last few years we’ve seen gaps in students’ understanding get bigger and bigger. So many elementary students are not fluent with math and the underlying issue is their lack of number sense. Textbooks often jump straight into having kids operate with numbers but they have no number sense to be able to understand why the procedures even work. That’s why we’ve created the 10-Day Number Sense Kickstart to help you kickstart your students’ number sense this year.

Over the next two weeks, Christina Tondevold will give you one tip each school day to build your students’ number sense and increase their fluency with mathematics. By the end of this Kickstart, you’ll have a roadmap to keep building it throughout this school year. Today’s episode is Day 1 of the Kickstart.

Download the 10 Day checklist and get the link to all resources mentioned by joining the 10-Day Number Sense Kickstart here: BuildMathMinds.com/10Day-kickstart

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If you are looking for a comprehensive online course for elementary educators that will help you better understand and implement the ideas in this Number Sense Kickstart, join The Flexibility Formula Course.

During the 10-Day Kickstart you can get a special gift when you enroll by October 19, 2023. Go to BuildMathMinds.com/enroll to pick the grade level of the course (K-2 or 3-5) and get enrolled.

Episode 148 - Why Is Understanding Fractions So Hard? Jun 19, 2022

Episode 147 - Practice Makes Permanent Jun 12, 2022

Here in the United States, it is the end of the school year and teachers are contemplating what work they should send home with students for them to do over the summer. In today's podcast, I get into why I'm not a big fan of general problem packets over the summer and how the phrase "practice makes perfect" is a little inaccurate.

Episode 146 - Standard Algorithms Compared to Computational Strategies Jun 05, 2022

I've been on a kick about math fluency lately and how a lot of textbooks have their teaching of fluency wrong. Growing up, fluency to me meant being good at the algorithm. Being able to follow the steps that the teacher laid out for students was the sign of being fluent. But, as textbooks have started teaching new strategies, students and parents are left feeling confused. In today’s episode I wanted to share this chart I found in an article by Randall Charles because it highlights the importance of letting kids use strategies instead of just the traditional algorithm.

Episode 145 - Math Textbooks Have the Teaching of Fluency All Wrong May 29, 2022

In the last episode of the podcast, I shared the three ideas that make up computational fluency. Flexibility is often the piece that is missing in our fluency instruction, but recently textbooks have tried to incorporate more of it, but in the wrong way. In this week’s podcast, I go over some of the shortcomings in the ways textbook’s teach fluency and what we should really be focusing on when we’re teaching fluency.

Episode 144 - What is Computational Fluency? May 22, 2022

The Flexibility Formula courses that I offer have a huge focus on how we can help kids develop number sense, but the main reason to focus on number sense is really to help your students become flexible thinkers; to build their flexibility in mathematics. In episode 144, I talk about how my courses started and the research that inspired them. Come take a listen as I discuss the concepts that make up computational fluency.

Episode 143 - Summer Reading List for Elementary Math Teachers 2022 May 15, 2022

Each of you listening to this podcast have different goals for your professional development. You have different things you are wanting to read about to help your students next year have an even better math experience in your classroom. So I’ve compiled a bunch of different lists on Amazon so you can choose from books for specific areas you want to focus on. Come check out Episode #143 where I share my summer reading lists for elementary math teachers for 2022.

Episode 142 - Nothing Lasts Forever May 08, 2022

Have you ever felt like the thing you’re going through will never end? There is no doubt that hard times can wear us out and make us feel helpless. Then, it can seem like the good times don't last long enough. Whether it's good or bad times, it's important to remember that nothing lasts forever. In this week’s episode, we are talking about how to think about going through the hard times, and the good times by remembering that Nothing Lasts Forever.

Episode 141 - Get The Most Out of Math Games May 01, 2022

Games are one of my favorite ways to have kids practice. They can do 50 problems in 5 minutes and not even realize it. But, one of the biggest complaints I hear about using games in the classroom is that teachers don’t know what the kids are actually doing while playing the game. Are they doing the math or just goofing around?? Come listen to episode 141 where we're talking about getting the most out of math games and go through some recommendations.

Episode 140 - Alternatives to Math Tests Apr 24, 2022

As many of you are currently in the thick of standardized testing, it reminds you that testing shouldn’t be like this….but if not this, then what? This week, while sitting in my car waiting for one of the hundred, or so, practices my kids had to finish, I opened up the recent issue of the NCTM journal Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching PK-12. The very first article is about using word problems as a way to assess in mathematics. In episode 140, I go through some of this issue to give you some ideas for some alternatives to math tests. Also, The Build Math Minds PD site membership is open for enrollment!

Episode 139 - Should We Stop Giving Tests in Math? Apr 17, 2022

Should we stop giving tests in math class? This question was recently tweeted by Chris Luzniak and I found the comments under it very thought provoking. So, I thought I'd share some of them with you in today's podcast. Tell me what you think about them in the comments over at buildmathminds/139.

Episode 138 - More Than a Test Apr 10, 2022

Testing season is upon us and as always, it is stressful. I wish there were easy tips or tricks I could give you to help make it awesome but unfortunately, that doesn’t exist. In episode 138, I give some simple reminders on what to focus on as your student’s go through testing. But the biggest reminder is that your work of helping these kids be mathematicians is more than a test.

Episode 137 - Math in Children's Literature Apr 03, 2022

This week I finally got a chance to crack open the book Mathematizing Children’s Literature: Sparking Connections, Joy, and Wonder Through Read-Alouds and Discussion by Allison Hintz and Anthony T. Smith. I haven’t even read the whole thing yet because a paragraph from the first page struck me so deeply that I knew I had to share it with you all. In this week’s episode, I share a snippet from that book and get into my own shortcomings using children’s books as learning tools.

Episode 136 - Problem Solving In Math Mar 27, 2022

Have you ever dove right into something you had no idea how to do? As hard as we try not to, we often ask our students to do just that. When I first started my Recovering Traditionalist journey and implementing more student focused experiences, I thought it would be great but there were definitely some growing pains. In today’s podcast, I’m talking about how the book Introduction to Problem Solving by Susan O’Connell helped me learn how to encourage kids to start problem solving on their own. Come take a listen!

Episode 135 - The Tip of the Iceberg Mar 20, 2022

In today’s podcast, I’m sharing an article that presents a visual image I once saw that plays a huge role in how I think about building our understandings of mathematics. I really think about it all the time so I thought it was time to share it with you. That image is the tip of the iceberg. Come take a listen as I get into how the visual representation of the iceberg can help us think about the things underneath the surface that we don’t often consider when we say a kid is struggling to do something.

Episode 134 - Pencil or Pen? Mar 13, 2022

Pencil or pen? So many educators are adamant that kids MUST use pencils in math class so they can erase their errors. In today’s episode I’m wondering if pens could actually be better. Perhaps there is value in keeping mistakes on the page as our student’s work to get to answers.

Episode 133 - Experiences and Equity & Access Mar 06, 2022

In today's episode, I'm wrapping up my series on the Flexibility Formula by looking at Virtual Math Summit sessions from Juliana Matherson, Dr. Hilary Kreisberg, Neily Boyd and Dionne Aminata that address the Experiencing and Equity & Access pillars. These session sneak peeks give us some great tools for serving our students with noteworthy classroom experiences while being sure to include everyone in the instruction regardless of their background. The Virtual Math Summit was on February 26 and 27 and you have until March 8th to watch the sessions. After that, they go into the Build Math Minds PD site for our members to have access to. So make sure you come watch and then join the PD site so you get longer access.

Episode 132 - The Connecting Pillar with Stacey Ellis, Matt Halpern, & Dawn Dibley Feb 27, 2022

I’ve been doing a series of episodes sharing some summit sessions that address each of The Flexibility Formula. Episode 130 we took a look at Understanding, episode 131 we dove into Observing, and today’s episode we are going to look at the Connecting pillar with Virtual Math Summit presenters Stacey Ellis, Matt Halpern, and Dawn Dibley. Each of them gives us strategies to connect with our students in unique ways that you may not have thought of before. Come take a listen!

Episode 131 - Observing Math Understanding with Michelle Chu & Kristen Emmel Feb 20, 2022

The free 2022 Virtual Math Summit is just around the corner on February 26th & 27th. Each session addresses one of the five pillars of the Flexibility Formula. In today's episode, we're going to focus on the Observing pillar by looking at session snippets from Michelle Chu and Kristen Emmel. Michelle talks about making instructional decisions in the moment based on what you're seeing in real time and Kristen talks about using number sense routines to assess students.

Episode 130 - Building our Understanding with Dr. Ange Rogers, Duane Habecker, & Shannon McCartney Feb 13, 2022

If you’ve spent a lot of time with my content or have ever taken one of my PD courses, then you’ve probably run into the Flexibility Formula. The formula is a framework that helps us avoid turning kids into calculators and every session in this year’s Virtual Math Summit addresses at least 1 of the 5 pillars. This week, we’re getting sneak peeks into sessions from Dr. Ange Rogers, Duane Habecker and Shannon McCartney that address the Understanding pillar and help kids understand large numbers.

Episode 129 - Taking it a Step Further with Fractions & Subitizing Feb 06, 2022

Sometimes, it can be easy to be pretty focused on things we could do better in our classrooms. But just like we want to do with our students, let's take some time to think about how we can take what we’re already doing and take it further. In today’s episode, I dive into more Virtual Math Summit sneak peeks. This time, from Dina Mendola and me! Dina gets into how we should be thinking about fractions and I talk about one of my favorite topics: subitizing. Registration is still open for the Virtual Math Summit so go get signed up! Yes, it’s still free.

Episode 128 - Doing Things Differently with Rosalba Serrano, Marian Small & Shannon Kiebler Jan 30, 2022

Changing up the strategies we use in our math classrooms can be a really useful way to shake up the status quo, push kids further in their learning, and show us where we can improve as teachers. In this episode, I’m sharing sneak peeks into Virtual Math Summit sessions from Rosalba Serrano, Marian Small, and Shannon Kiebler as they encourage us to do things differently in our math classrooms. The Virtual Math Summit is free for educators so go get signed up at VirtualMathSummit.com/register .

Episode 127 - Thinking vs Mimicking Jan 23, 2022

When I was going through school, mimicking the teacher was definitely the norm. For good rule followers, that can be really easy. But is teacher mimicking really our goal as teachers? If we only want students to mimic, then we’re not giving our kids space to think independently, and solve problems in a way that works for their brain. In today’s podcast, I share some sneak peeks from Pam Harris’ and Dr. Doug Clement’s sessions from the upcoming Virtual Math Summit where they share some of their ideas on how we can help our relationships with our students be less robotic when it comes to getting the right answer.

Episode 126 - Powerful Moments in Math Class with Mike Flynn Jan 16, 2022

In life, we naturally experience all kinds of highs and lows that stick with us, and influence the way we see the world. In today’s episode, Virtual Math Summit speaker Mike Flynn gives us a sneak peak into one of his presentations where he talks about how the “Pits and Peaks” of life influence our psychology and the way we think about our experiences. More importantly, he tells us about how we can actively use those realizations to help build better experiences for our students inside the classroom.

Episdoe 125 - Less Expectation, More Appreciation Jan 09, 2022

When it comes to teaching in the classroom, it can be easy to get caught up in the expectations we have for our students. But have you considered the consequences of being hyper focused on expectations? If we look at students through a lens of “we expected you to have THIS and THAT, but you don’t” it starts us off on the wrong foot with how to help the kids. If instead we look at students through a lens of appreciating where they currently are, we are starting on solid ground and can work up from there. Today’s episode goes into details on why focusing on appreciation in our classrooms is so important.

Episode 124 - Math problems with more than one answer (Part 3) Jan 02, 2022

Today, we’re going to wrap up our series on math problems with more than one answer. If you missed part 1 and 2, go check out episodes 121 and 123. Math problems with more than one answer give us the ability to really expand how we ask our students to engage with the problems themselves, and with each other. In particular, they give us an opportunity to allow students to work on Math Practice Standard #3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Today’s podcast episode explores why that's so important and gives example problems.

Episode 123 - Math Problems with More Than One Answer (Part 2) Dec 26, 2021

A couple weeks ago I talked about how 26 ÷ 6 can have multiple answers. This week, I’m back for part 2 of diving deeper into the idea that math problems can have more than one answer. Specifically, we’re going to look at “Open Middle Math Problems.” Listen in for some great examples of these problems across different grade levels.

Episode 122 - Teaching Division with Remainders Even in The Early Years Dec 19, 2021

Partitive division is typically the natural way that kids think about division and the way that most textbooks start teaching kids division. However, it only gives kids a partial understanding of division. Quotative division problems give kids a deeper understanding of division and help kids focus in on understanding the remainder in the problem. Typically, we think division is only for 3rd grade and up, but division situations come up often for kids in their life and so they naturally experience division very early on. No matter what grade level you teach, this episode will give you a better understanding of teaching division and teaching division with remainders.

Episode 121 - Math Problems With More Than One Answer (Part 1) Dec 12, 2021

We all know that there are many ways to solve any math problem. But have you considered that there are math problems with more than one answer? While I was getting my masters degree, I learned some valuable lessons from that which I wanted to share with you today. Take a listen as I dive into why it's important to open our minds to the idea that math isn’t just about getting one correct answer.

Episode 120 - My Favorite Mathy Gifts for 2021 Dec 05, 2021

As we get closer to the holidays, our time is ticking to get some great gifts for our loved ones. I’ve found all kinds of reading based gifts but sometimes, the math ones can be a little tougher to find. So, I figured I’d try to help out and share some of my favorite math-based gifts that me and my kids absolutely love. A couple of my choices may even surprise you!

Episode 119 - Managing Small Group Work Nov 28, 2021

Managing small group work when no other adults are around to assist can be a great challenge. Especially considering the vast differences in mathematical understandings educators are experiencing in the classroom this year. So how can small group work be structured to benefit all kids in the classroom no matter where they are in their understanding? The Build Math Minds Facebook group community delivered a ton of super helpful strategies to help answer that question and I wanted to share some of those in today’s podcast episode.

Episode 118 - Making Thinking Visible Nov 21, 2021

Thinking is an active and internal process that we should intentionally help our students learn how to share. In order to encourage our kids to share their thinking, we must consider how they (and we) listen, the types of questions we ask as teachers and they ask as students, how ideas are documented, and more. In today’s episode, I get into some amazing ideas about how to get students to share their thinking processes by Making Thinking Visible.

Episode 117 - Why I was gone Nov 14, 2021

Having your work computer break down on you is one of the worst feelings in the world. Especially, if you forgot to back up all your data. I’ve been absent for a while because that is exactly what happened to me. In this week's episode, I talk about why I’ve been gone for a little bit and why it is of paramount importance to make sure all your digitally stored work is backed up.

Episode 116 - Stop Teaching Strategies Oct 10, 2021

I want all kids to have different strategies at their disposal to solve math problems. However, the way our textbooks have us teach them to kids is overwhelming and confuses kids. This episode is a clip from a webinar I did recently about The Missing Piece to Elementary Fact Fluency and part of the issue is that we are directly teaching kids so many strategies when instead we need to help kids develop them on their own.

If you want help with how to do that in your classroom, come join my online PD courses:

The Flexibility Formula K-2nd https://buildmathminds.com/flexibility-formula-prek-2nd/

The Flexibility Formula 3rd-5th https://buildmathminds.com/flexibility-formula-3rd-5th/

Episode 115 - Helping Kids Make Connections in Mathematics with Kelly Rogers Oct 03, 2021

In this week’s podcast, we discuss a lot of different topics with Kelly Rogers, a 3rd grade teacher, who shares about building a love of math even during a pandemic. Go here to get links to resources mentioned: buildmathminds.com/115

Episode 114 - Misconceptions about developing Fact Fluency Sep 26, 2021

Recently I did a video over on my vlog about A Big Mistake Educators Make When Building Math Fluency. The mistake is that we directly teach students strategies.

Then I was looking through the book Putting Essential Understanding of Addition and Subtraction into Practice in PreK-Grade 2, I came across a section that described a lot of what I was trying to convey in my video just in a different way.

Now, I know this is from a PreK-Grade 2 book, but if you are an upper elementary teacher, as I read this section, think about how this applies to your situation. Are you teaching multiplication or division in this same way??

Go to buildmathminds.com/114 to get links mentioned in this episode.

Episode 113 - Knowledge Needed for Teaching Mathematics Sep 19, 2021

In this week’s podcast, I’m sharing the story of the single thought that was running through my head as I sat through Pre-Calculus so that I could get a math endorsement added to my elementary ed teaching license: “how in the heck is this supposed to make me a better 6th grade teacher?!?!?”

Episode 112 - Types of Activities that Build Math Fluency Sep 12, 2021

The final step towards building your students’ fluency is deciding HOW you are going to implement these ideas into your classroom. I am not going to detail out exactly how you should do that. That’s not what I believe we should do for teachers just like I don’t believe that’s what we should do for our students in math. We should NOT make everyone do it the same way. Every classroom is filled with kids of varying needs and abilities. Every classroom has a teacher with their own teaching style. So what works for one classroom will not always work for everyone else. I understand that having some kind of guideline is important.

Everyone’s situations are different. You may be tied to a textbook or you might be in a district that doesn’t use a textbook and the standards are your only guide. No matter your situation there are three types of activities I recommend trying to incorporate as much as you can.

Go to buildmathminds.com/starterkit to get the Building Elementary Math Fluency Starter Kit to learn more about the Three Types of Activities that Build Math Fluency.

Episode 111 - Fluency is the By-Product of Flexibility Sep 05, 2021

Typically on this podcast I share things that other people have written because I want to encourage you to go learn from the original sources that I have learned from. But today I want to share something I wrote with you.

Fluency is a big focus of mine, so much so that I have full online PD courses that I’ve created for teachers to learn how we build students’ fluency. How we build it is actually through building students’ flexibility...that’s why I called my courses The Flexibility Formula.

To help elementary educators get started down the journey of building fluency by focusing on building students’ flexibility, I created the Building Elementary Math Fluency Starter Kit. I’d like to share a little bit from that starter kit with you today about how Fluency is the By-Product of Flexibility. If you’d like to get the starter kit go to BuildMathMinds.com/starterkit.

Episode 110 - Responses About The Use of AND in Math Aug 22, 2021

Last week, I shared that I was Wondering About The Use of the word AND in Math. For example, how do you say the number 45? Do you say “forty-five” or “forty AND five”? Today, I’m sharing some of the responses I got.

Go to buildmathminds.com/110 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.

Episode 109 - Wondering About The Use of AND in Math Aug 15, 2021

As a Recovering Traditionalist I want you to know that I don’t have it all figured out and it’s okay that you don’t either. I’m still refining my understanding and teaching and it’s been over 17 years I’ve been working on changing my teaching.

So I’m going to start doing a different type of podcast episode every once in a while. I’m calling them my ‘wonderings.’ So today I’m Wondering About The Use of the word ‘AND’ in Math. buildmathminds.com/109

Episode 108 - Creating More Wonder, Joy & Beauty in Math Aug 08, 2021

We are wrapping up the 2021 Virtual Math Summit here. In fact, the day this podcast gets released is the last day of free access to all the sessions. After today they are only available inside the Build Math Minds PD site for members to watch (go here to enroll: https://buildmathminds.com/bmm). One benefit members get is access to a session I did only for BMM members and VIP attendees of the summit, but on today’s podcast you are getting a snippet from that session that I hope inspires you to create more wonder, joy, and beauty in mathematics.

Episode 107 - CGI Math Aug 01, 2021

In this week’s episode, we are talking about CGI Math which stands for Cognitively Guided Instruction. Cognitively Guided Instruction helps us learn how to facilitate the development of kids’ math understanding by listening first, then making instructional decisions based upon what you hear.

Go to buildmathminds.com/107 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.

Episode 106 - Two of my favorite ways to engage students (Virtual Math Summit Preview) Jul 25, 2021

This is the last episode of the podcast that I’m giving you a preview of the 2021 Virtual Math Summit because the summit is this week!

Register for the summit here before July 29th: VirtualMathSummit.com/register

Our two presenters featured on this episode will be part of the Speaker Panel Q & As so if you want to participate in those, make sure to register for the VIP access or become a BMM member. Details are on the registration page.

Our two presenter previews this week are about two of my favorite ways to engage kiddos in mathematics: Games & Manipulatives. Get any links I mention in this episode at buildmathminds.com/106

Episode 105 - 3rd-5th grade sessions at the 2021 Virtual Math Summit Jul 18, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Math Summit hosted by Build Math Minds: VirtualMathSummit.com/register

In this week’s podcast I’d like to highlight two sessions that are focused on content that 3rd-5th graders are building. Go to buildmathminds.com/105 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.

Episode 104 -Two ways to build number sense (Virtual Math Summit Preview) Jul 11, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Math Summit hosted by Build Math Minds: VirtualMathSummit.com/register

This week, I share clips of two sessions from the summit that focus on helping our students build a sense of numbers. Go to buildmathminds.com/104 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.

Episode 103 - Preview of 3 more sessions at the 2021 Virtual Math Summit Jul 04, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Math Summit hosted by Build Math Minds: VirtualMathSummit.com/register

To get you excited about the Virtual Math Summit, I thought I’d share a few snippets from sessions to give you a sneak peek over the summer before the summit starts. For this week’s episode, we get to hear from Bettina Atwill, John SanGiovanni, and Donna Boucher. Go to buildmathminds.com/103 for any links mentioned in the episode.

Episode 102 - Equity & Access sessions at the 2021 Virtual Math Summit Jun 27, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Math Summit hosted by Build Math Minds: VirtualMathSummit.com/register

For this week’s episode, we are listening to clips from our opening and closing sessions for the 2021 Virtual Math Summit. The sessions by Zaretta Hammond and Pam Seda & Kyndall Brown both have a focus on giving us ways to ensure equity & access in the math classroom. Go to buildmathminds.com/102 for any links mentioned in the episode.

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