Making Math Moments That Matter

In this episode we bring back Shawn Hershey, a math interventionist teacher and department chair from Pennsylvania. Shawn joined us back in episode 223 and we discussed how to strengthen his math team. This time around Shawn is seeking advice on how to create alignment across his school’s K-12 grade bands. He has seen individual pockets of success in his school but knows that if his teachers are working toward common objectives that alignment will strengthen their team and the students they work with. 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 set realistic and measurable goals that drive sustainable change in math education;How to help the teachers you work with without seeming like you’re adding more to their plate;How can I structure professional development so it fits into a busy teacher schedulesResources: The Magic Wand Wish List Workbook - https://makemathmoments.com/whatmatters/ Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Today we speak with Robert Barth, a high school math teacher from the South side of Chicago. Robert shares his experience with teaching with the original flipped classroom model and how he’s morphed it over the years to incorporate Peter Liljedahl’s work on Building Thinking Classrooms and the Make Math Moments “Real” Flipped Classroom approach incorporating teaching through task. Listen in as Robert wonders how to engage students who give push back when working in groups and sharing their thinking. You’ll hear about teacher moves you can make to motivate students who seem to be unwilling to engage and how to balance your class time between “group thinking” and “individual thinking”. 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 the “double-flipped” classroom model might be helpful for those who have struggled to implement problem based lessons in the past;Why taking the time to be explicit with students as to why we do what we do in math class; The teacher moves we can leverage to motivate students who seem unwilling to engage;Why too much “group-think” time can may limit the necessary “individual-think” time that students need to individually reflect; and,How we can incorporate routines to intentionally promote the development of relational trust in our mathematics communities.Resources: Quiet - Susan Cain [Book]Episode 204: How To Craft Mentoring Moments - Jim StrachanMake Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

We welcome Lisa Marentette onto the podcast to discuss how to transition from 9 years in the Kindergarten classroom environment into the grade 2 classroom. After so many years in the Kindergarten classroom, she wonders what changes she needs to make to the structure of her mathematics program to “fit” the grade 2 classroom environment and how she can ensure that all students leave her class well-positioned to tackle the math challenges that lay before them in grade 3.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. If you have a math class “pebble in your shoe” you’d like to work through, take less than 2 minutes to book a Math Mentoring Moment Call with us and before you know it, you’ll be on a call with us to chat all things math!You’ll Learn: How do I ensure that I don’t miss anything and kids don’t miss some fundamental building blocks; How to prioritize what really matters in your classroom; How do I emulate a play-based kindergarten program in my grade 2 class?What should my math block look like?Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsElementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally by John Van de Walle [Book]Figuring Out Fluency by Jennifer Bay Williams [Book]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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this episode we bring back on the podcast for the third time the godfather of the Thinking Classroom Peter Liljedahl. We spoke with Peter way back on episode 21 of the podcast about how he built the components of the thinking classroom, episode 98 on group work and how to choose tasks, and in this episode Peter breaks down the three components of closing your lessons so students walk away feeling confident and connected to the learning that took place. You’ll Learn: Why it is so uplifting when an entire group is speaking about the same idea;How to see improvement with your students when Building A Thinking Classroom;Why Building Thinking Classrooms is still a problem to be solved;Why the “closing out of the lesson” is one of the most important elements of a Thinking Classrooms Lesson;Why we need to improve student experiences in math class;Why you need to close out the lesson by tying a bow on it;Why worked examples can carry a lot of benefit in how we construct them, but also how we review or reference them; What is the difference between closing out a lesson and consolidating a lesson?Resources: Building Thinking ClassroomsMake Math Moments Problem Based Units & TasksDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In our latest episode, we dive into a topic of utmost importance: maintaining a harmonious equilibrium between achieving success and nurturing your well being as an educator. Join us as we explore invaluable insights that equip you with the tools to avoid burnout while making strides in your teaching journey.Discover the art of sustaining the energy required to be an effective math teacher. We unravel practical strategies to strike a balance between the demands of teaching and preserving your own vitality, ensuring a sustainable and fulfilling career.Learn the liberating lesson of acknowledging that you don't have to do everything at all times. We delve into the power of setting realistic expectations and making peace with prioritization, freeing you from the burden of unnecessary stress.Fuel your motivation to aim higher by forging a support network that uplifts you. Uncover the transformative influence of surrounding yourself with like-minded peers who share your ambitions, providing a nurturing environment to nurture your teaching fire.You’ll Learn: How do I sustain the work needed to become an effective math teacher; How to make peace that you can’t do EVERYTHING all of the time; Why finding a support network can fuel your fire to strive for more; What structure helps me focus on what really matters in math classrooms; and, How priming your mindset can help you avoiding burnout; Resources: Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool [Classroom Teacher & Leader Versions]Join the Academy - Free for 30 DaysDistrict Leader Resources:Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Learn About Our District Improvement ProgramAre you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & Units Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

This week, California high school mathematics teacher leader Giovanni Patalano returns to continue where we left off last time. While his goal is still clear in that he strives to assist in pushing practice forward in his school and across the district, today we dig into where that work might begin to ensure that there is enough alignment across his team. Should Gio and his colleagues dig into filling the gap in the canopy of their mathematics program tree by investigating a common curriculum resource or might they begin in the branches, tinkering with different pedagogical practices to seek out small wins?This is another Math Mentoring Moment Episode where we speak with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community where together we brainstorm strategies and next steps for teachers to overcome pebbles they have in their shoe by growing all six parts of their Mathematics Program.You’ll Learn: What barriers are blocking the progress of teacher pedagogy shifts in mathematics and how to overcome them;How we can help support our educators to overcome misalignment challenges across a district;How can we focus both on the big picture for district wide goals, while leaving space for different schools to dig into different parts of their mathematics program tree?How can a school level teacher leader help to influence the direction of district wide initiatives when there may be too many priorities and not enough support?Resources: Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool [Classroom Teacher & Leader Versions]Join the Academy - Free for 30 DaysDistrict Leader Resources:Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Learn About Our District Improvement ProgramAre you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & Units Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Today you’ll hear from Yvette Lehman, an elementary educator from Windsor, Ontario. Yvette is a Primary and Junior Division Teacher Consultant for the Greater Essex County Board of Education and if the name seems familiar then you’re right, we have referenced Yvette’s work numerous times here on the podcast as she’s also a colleague of Kyle’s and a fantastic part of the Make Math Moments curriculum writing team and presented numerous times at the annual Make Math Moments Virtual Summit. Our conversation kicks off by unraveling the essential qualities of district leaders of mathematics. Discover why being bold, focused, and mathematically proficient is crucial for driving transformative change in math instruction across districts. You’ll gain valuable strategies and perspectives that position leaders to create a lasting impact on math education.Yvette shares how recognizing the challenges teachers face is vital to supporting their growth. We delve into how educators can identify when they are feeling overwhelmed and drowning in their responsibilities and we uncover effective ways leaders can offer assistance and resources, ensuring teachers feel supported and empowered to navigate their teaching journey successfully.Let’s get ready to dive in. You’ll Learn: Why district leaders of mathematics need to be bold, focused, and mathematically proficient so they are best positioned to change math instruction in their district; How do you help teachers recognize that they are drowning? How having a supportive “other” encourages you to keep your learning going; What transformative PD support looks like in a large district; Resources: Access Problem-Based Math Lessons and Full UnitsYvette Lehman on TwitterDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

This week we spoke with Lauren Sawyer, a middle school math teacher from the Chicago area. Lauren has been implementing Peter Lilijedahl’s work Building Thinking Classrooms and is trying to find the right balance between collaborative work and individual think time. In this episode we help Lauren limit the illusion of understanding students may get when students are working in groups, determining the right time to schedule individual think time in her lessons, and how she can truly assess her 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. If you have a math class “pebble in your shoe” you’d like to work through, take less than 2 minutes to book a Math Mentoring Moment Call with us and before you know it, you’ll be on a call with us to chat all things math!You’ll Learn: How do I balance individual work time and group work time?How can we limit the illusion of understanding some students may have when working in groups; How can I truly assess students’ understanding when working in groups; When is the right time to schedule individual think time in a Building Thinking Classroom; and,  How I can offer opportunities for students to think collaboratively AND independently every day. Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this “Where are they now” Math Mentoring Moment Episode, we bring back Jeremy Sarzana, a high school math teacher at a Vocational High School in Boston, Massachusetts. Jeremy shares concerns over how to keep “flow” in his math classes when many of his students are engaging at varying levels. Stick around to hear Jeremey realize how to plan beyond the lesson of the day to ensure he’s meeting the needs of all his 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: Why starting with a problem is so impactful for students in a math classroom;How thin slicing can be a great tool to help you arrive at your intended learning objective;How to engage students with the distance between two points formula; How to decide what I should focus on first when designing the structures in my classroom; and,  How do I ensure I’m challenging my students enough when teaching through problem-based lessons?Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Today we’re releasing a replay episode where we spoke with Nick Rhodes who has been teaching online in one of the largest cyber schools in America. Nick shares his story from transforming from a rock band front man to working in accounting to teaching math to being a founding member of our Make Math Moments Academy to becoming a rockstar online teacher! Nick wonders how to adjust his assessment practices so they line up with his problem based approach to teaching. This is another  Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through struggles and together we brainstorm possible next steps and strategies to overcome them. You’ll Learn: How to morph your existing assessment practices to align with problem-based teaching; How Desmos can be utilized when teaching solely online; How to choose technology to maximize learning; How to use observations, conversations and products to assess students; and, How can we use standards based grading when promoting growth. Resources: No Bikes Allowed! [Make Math Moments Problem Based Task] Are You Picky Enough? [Make Math Moments Online Course]Make Math Moments Online Workshop [12-Week, Self-Paced Online Course]Assessment For Growth - OPEN ACCESS TO MODULE 1 [Make Math Moments Online Course]The 3 Act Math Task Beginners GuideMake Math Moments 3-Part FrameworkA Hero’s Journey In Math Class Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this "Where Are They Now?" episode, we reconnect with Tom Marker, a dedicated 6th grade teacher from Ohio, who continues to inspire us with his dedication to improving his teaching strategies. We dive into another conversation with Tom where we tackle: Helping Students Break Away from Calculator Reliance: Tom explores effective strategies to liberate students from overreliance on calculators. Discover how he empowers his students to develop mental math skills, fostering a deep understanding of numerical concepts and building confidence in their own mathematical abilities.Nurturing Curiosity for Lifelong Learning: As educators, it is crucial to cultivate and sustain students' natural curiosity for learning. Tom shares his insights on how to keep that flame alive, ensuring students remain engaged, motivated, and eager to explore the fascinating world of mathematics.Embracing Flexibility for Strengthened Number Sense: By encouraging students to embrace flexibility in their problem-solving approaches, Tom unveils the transformative power of fostering a strong number sense. Explore how this flexibility enhances students' mathematical reasoning, adaptability, and overall problem-solving skills.Building Confidence through Problem Strings: Tom takes us on a journey into the world of problem strings—a powerful tool he employs to boost students' confidence in mathematics. Learn how problem strings can provide students with a supportive and structured environment, allowing them to tackle progressively challenging problems while fostering a growth mindset.With each passing episode, Tom Marker continues to inspire educators, parents, and learners alike, offering practical advice and unique perspectives on mathematics education. Join us as we delve deeper into his ongoing successes, challenges, and the transformative impact he continues to have in his classroom and beyond.Tune in to this engaging follow-up episode as we embark on a riveting conversation with Tom Marker, dedicated to unleashing the full potential of our students through innovative math education strategies.This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through problems of practice and together we brainstorm possible next steps and strategies to overcome them. You’ll Learn: How to help students break away from their reliance on the calculator;Why it is so important to help students keep that curiosity for learning going as long as we can;Why giving students the freedom to be flexible with their answers will strengthen their number sense; How you can use problem strings to build students’ confidence in mathematics;Resources: How To Start The School Year Off RightMake Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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 Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Join us in our latest podcast episode as we dive into an important discussion about improving mathematics instruction and ensuring accessibility for all students. In this episode, we reflect on the common tendency to focus solely on students who are struggling or behind in math, neglecting those who are "lost in the middle" or above grade level but lacking appropriate support and differentiation.We explore how we can broaden our definition of differentiation to encompass all students, regardless of their current level of achievement. We also delve into the concept of low floor, high ceiling lessons and how they can effectively serve all learners. Additionally, we address the importance of supporting motivated students in grades 6 to 12 who often find themselves navigating their learning independently.You’ll Learn: How are low floor, high ceiling lessons serving or undeserving ALL students?How do we truly help ALL students in our multi-leveled classroom?What is the real flipped classroom? When is the best time to use Khan Academy?Why AI tools in mathematics have a long way to go before replacing a classroom experience. Should tutoring be our answer for next level support?Resources: Mathigon CoursesKhan AcademyKnowledgehookMathify: Formerly Homework Help Prepbox.io 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Today we speak with Cara Carbone, a high school teacher from Bellingham Washington. Cara is here to share a pebble in her shoe around engaging her high achieving students with rich tasks. She implements some low floor/high ceiling tasks but struggles to do this consistently due to time constraints and the large number of preps she has during the year. Stick around and you’ll hear how we help Cara reshape the resources pulled from online sources and Teachers Pay Teachers into meaningful, engaging experiences for her 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: Engage your students using resources you already have;Modify textbook problems and exercises so that they spark curiosity in your students;Use the Make Math Moments Curiosity Path so that your students will not only love math class but also learn to think deeply;Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsHow To Transform Your Textbook Into A Curiosity Machine [A free course]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. Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Amy Buchheit, an instructional coach from the Chicago area. In our chat, Amy discusses her current mathematics leader pebble related to creating measurable professional development (PD) goals in mathematics that can truly shift teacher practice and in turn, increase student achievement.One of the speed bumps educators face in implementing the professional learning they have engaged with is finding the time to do it well. Stick with us as we share practical strategies to address this common issue and much more. If you're a mathematics leader looking to find ways to deepen the implementation of the professional development practices you’ve been focusing on, tune in to hear what was shared and learned through this conversation with Amy.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. What You’ll Learn: Developing Measurable PD Goals that Lead to Lasting Teacher Practice Changes.Maximizing Student Outcomes through Effective Professional Learning Communities.Overcoming Time Constraints: Strategies to Help Busy Teachers Prioritize PD.Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Without a clear, concise and well-communicated mathematics vision and a sustainable professional development plan rooted in relevant, attainable, research-based and measurable goals, your teachers will continue to work on disconnected pieces of effective mathematics instruction that can only lead to pockets of success instead of systemic change in mathematics teaching practice and student achievement.In this episode we’re sharing our webinar on What Matters Most When Designing A Successful Math Program and we’ll outline why reporting the results of your professional development plan over the previous school year is so hard,  why you might not be seeing the results you’ve hoped for, and how you can break the cycle to ensure your progress and reporting at the next of next year goes off without a hitch.You’ll Learn: Why teaching math is hard and how you can make it easier for the educators you support;What matters most when designing high quality math professional development; and,How to set realistic and measurable goals that drive sustainable change in math education.Resources: Register For The Webinar To Get Your Planning KitDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

Join us for an insightful conversation with Bill McCallum, co-founder of Illustrative Mathematics and a distinguished professor in mathematics education. In this episode, we delve into important topics that will transform your perspective on mathematics instruction. Discover what makes a problem engaging for students and how to identify struggling learners through classroom observations. Explore the power of connecting mathematics to meaningful stories and the potential impact of A.I. and digital tools on future instruction. Most importantly, learn why empowering students to do the math is crucial for their success. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode with one of the influential voices in mathematics education, Bill McCallum.You’ll Learn: What makes a problem or task engaging for students;Why looking at what is happening in the math classroom tells you more about a struggling student than the curriculum being leveraged in the classroom;How we can help students experience mathematics as a subject that has meaning, has a story and is connected;What could the future of mathematics instruction look like in the face of A.I. and digital tools?Why we need to let the kids do the math; Resources: Illustrative MathematicsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In our recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Jonathan Lind again. Jonathan is an experienced high school math teacher currently teaching at an American school in Qatar. Jonathan shared invaluable insights and practical strategies on how he transformed his assessment practices in his math class, leading to remarkable outcomes for his students.During our conversation, Jonathan delved into the following key ideas:Shifting from labeling students to using assessment for growth;Time-saving curriculum coverage with standards-based grading;Promoting student success through growth and proficiency days;Assessing Polya problem-solving techniques effectively;Designing a grading system to inspire student achievement;This is a Math Moment Maker Reflection episode where we talk with a member of our fantastic community who is working hard to continue reflecting and refining their practice to Make Math Moments with more students in their math classroom.You’ll Learn: How shifting from using assessments to label students to using assessment for growth can be a game changer in math class;How using standards based grading can save you time when trying to cover your curriculum; Why growth and proficiency days and smaller, but more frequent assessments can help more students achieve at higher levels in your math class;How the Polya problem solving model should be used and assessed in a math class;How to design your grading system to inspire students to achieve the fullest potential;Resources: Assessment For Growth [Course]Make Math Moments Problem-Based LessonsLearn more about Jon Lind at https://LindJonath.com Find him on Twitter @LindJonathAre you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with our team! Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this episode, we hop on a call with Andrea; a middle school mathematics educator and Texas native now living and teaching in Germany. Andrea joins us with a pebble she is dealing with regarding the connectedness of the content (or lack thereof) she is feeling with certain topics at the end of the unit. She even goes as far as to describe this issue with some topics as having all of the sprinkles throughout the unit to engage students and help them achieve, but no real “cupcake” by the end. 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 negative experiences stick with us longer than positive ones and some ideas on how to ensure we aren’t accidentally creating them for our students;The importance of student ownership of their learning through authentic work; Why some concepts seem to lend themselves more to authentic work that students take ownership of while others don’t; and,What we can do when we feel that something isn’t connected by the end of a unit of study.Resources: Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsDistrict 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.  Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this episode we chat with Jake Hickson, the System Math Lead for the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education here in Ontario, Canada. Jake and his colleagues service students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low-vision as well as students who have one or more identified learning disabilities.We chat with Jake about the challenges he faces as a district mathematics leader who is mentoring educators across three (3) buildings that span great distances. While Jake has access to some built-in professional learning structures, the amount of time and delivery format is certainly less than he would like in order to engage in effective mathematics professional development. Stick around and listen in as we help Jake shake his district leader pebble out of his shoe!This is a Math Mentoring Moment episode where we chat with a Math Moment Maker, just like you and guide them to some next steps in pushing their classroom or district leader practice forward.You’ll Learn: Why teaching using only “naked” problems is a problem;The role of strategies and mathematical models are necessary for students with and without learning challenges to build conceptual understanding;How to teach using “gourmet” pizza instead of serving up frozen pizzas each and every day; and, How mathematics leaders can still take steps forward in promoting professional development regardless of the logistical constraints that are working against you.Resources: Explore over 60+ Math Classroom Units on Make Math Moments  Learn how to run a 3 Act Math Task EffectivelyTake the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool [Classroom Teacher & Leader Versions]Get a 6-Step Plan For Growing Your Math Classroom by joining the Make Math Moments Academy Free for 30 DaysDistrict Leader Resources:Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Learn About Our District Improvement ProgramAre you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us! Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment

In this Math Mentoring Moment episode we speak with a year 1 (first grade) teacher Sierra Classen in her second year of teaching from Melbourne, Australia. Listen in as we work through this common struggle we have all faced – either currently or in the past – related to students hyper focusing on answer getting over process.This is another Math Mentoring Moment Episode where we speak with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community where together we brainstorm strategies and next steps for teachers to overcome pebbles they have in their shoe by growing all six parts of their Mathematics Program.You’ll Learn: Strategies to help your students re-think the purpose of math class. How games can shape math lessonsWhy number talks are great culture buildersCharacteristics of effective math instructionTwo Types of questions you should avoid answering Resources: Characteristics of Effective Teaching of MathematicsPeter Lilejedahl’s websiteEpisode #11: Play Is The Engine Of Learning: An Interview with Dan Finkel TangramsRush hour (game)Spiralgraph SetTake the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool [Classroom Teacher & Leader Versions]Join the Academy - Free for 30 DaysDistrict Leader Resources:Take the Make Math Moments Math Program Assessment Tool The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Learn About Our District Improvement ProgramAre you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & Units Please help new listeners find the show. Leave a rating or review on your platform.  Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessment