Making Math Moments That Matter – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Are your current assessment methods truly capturing your students' growth and understanding in mathematics?

In a world where traditional testing often falls short of showcasing real student achievement, this episode explores innovative strategies that could redefine how we measure success in the math classroom. Whether you're struggling to balance content standards with the need to teach mathematical practice standards or looking to implement deeper thinking methods, like The Thinking Classroom, Number Talks, Problem Based Lessons, or 3-Act Math Tasks, this discussion offers practical solutions.

• Learn how to integrate conceptual understanding into your teaching to foster lasting student success.
• Discover innovative assessment approaches that better reflect student growth beyond test scores.
• Explore how teaching the mathematical practice standards alongside content standards can transform your classroom and student outcomes.

Tune in now to uncover actionable strategies for transforming your math assessments and teaching practices!

Resources 

• Show Notes Page. 
• Assessment For Growth: A Blueprint Course For Standards Based Grading in Math Class
• Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units

District Math Leaders: 

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

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

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

Book a short conversation with our team now. 

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

How can you keep ALL students engaged and excited about math when the topic doesn’t seem to lend itself to engaging and insightful ideas? 

If you're struggling to maintain your students' interest in math or finding it difficult to balance foundational skills with engaging activities, this episode offers practical solutions that could transform your classroom experience.

We speak with Kindergarten teacher Nichole Collins who’s on a journey to engage all the young minds in her classroom especially when the topic doesn’t seem to be that exciting on its own. 

Listen in and you’ll learn: 

• strategies to make math talks more interactive and meaningful for young learners.
• how to incorporate hands-on activities and partner routines to boost student engagement.
• insights into planning intentional, time-effective lessons that support both numeracy and student participation.

Listen now to uncover actionable tips for creating a vibrant and engaging math classroom for your students.

Resources 

Show Notes Page.

District Math Leaders: 

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

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

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

Book a short conversation with our team now. 

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

Dr. Jo Boaler is here to discuss her new book "Math-ish," where she introduces findings that advocate for viewing mathematics through a real-world lens, termed “math-ish.” 

This approach reshapes our perceptions of math, data, and personal capabilities. Recognizing the significance of diversity in individuals and varied learning strategies allows everyone to thrive. 

Whether numbers instill a sense of competence or cause anxiety varies widely among individuals. Dr. Jo Boaler, a Stanford researcher and esteemed professor of mathematics education, contends that embracing these individual differences is crucial for tapping into our fullest potential in mathematics.

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

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

You’ll Learn: 

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

Resources: 

Math-ish by Dr. Jo Boaler [Book]

Mathish.org [Website]

Youcubed Facebook Group

District Math Leaders: 

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

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

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

In this episode Jon & Kyle discuss the importance of building both math content knowledge and pedagogical-content knowledge when designing your own or your district professional development plans. 

Stick around and you’ll hear their stories of how they realized they needed to be effective at both content and pedagogy so they could survive and thrive in the classroom. You’ll also learn where you can go to build and improve your own pedagogical content knowledge.  

You’ll Learn: 

• The building blocks necessary to the development of effective mathematics educators;
• The Difference Between Math Content Knowledge and Pedagogical-Content Knowledge; 
• Why having mathematics knowledge alone is not enough to be an effective mathematics educator; and,
• Where you can develop both your mathematics content and mathematics pedagogical knowledge.

Resources: 

The 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit [REGISTER NOW]

District Leader/Mentor Summit Sharing Resources [DOWNLOADABLE GOODIES]

Research Paper Referenced:

An, Shuhua, Gerald Kulm, and Zhonghe Wu. “The Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Middle School, Mathematics Teachers in China and the U.S.” Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education 7.2 (2004): 145–172. Web.

District Leader Resources:

The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] 

Are 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

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

What do you envision for mathematics teaching and learning in your math class?

While we all want teachers and students to feel capable and confident each day in our mathematics classrooms, we must take time to think and reflect on what specifically would contribute to helping us reach that goal.

In this episode Jon & Kyle help you to craft a Magic Wand Wish List that you can use to help shape your vision for your mathematics classroom or your school/district program. 

You’ll Learn: 

• Why constructing a math vision for your classroom is essential to maximize your impact on student learning in math class;
• How constructing a math vision for a department, school and/or district is critical for effective and consistent mathematics teaching practices;
• How to create your “Magic Wand Wish List” and “Math Practice Inventory” to begin the process of developing a math vision; and,
• Where you can go next to receive feedback, support and mentorship leading your district level  mathematics professional learning.

Resources: 

The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] 

Are 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!

Resources and Supports: 

Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]

Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & Units

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

In this episode we speak with TL Eller around developing assessment tools and routines to capture student understanding of their multiplication facts. 

TL is a 3rd / 4th grade educator from Grove City Pennsylvania who has been on a career-long journey to help her students develop fluency and flexibility around math facts. In this chat we help TL focus her next moves on developing some easy to implement ideas on how to capture evidence of her students' multiplication facts. 

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 listening to students can help us to reflect on “why” and “what” we do in the classroom;
• Why many students may feel that they have opponents in math class;
• What should proficiency for multiplication facts look like? 
• What multiplication fact assessments can look like to promote growth; 
• How we can develop an assessment tool to capture multiplication facts. 
• How we can help students build fluency and flexibility around math facts. 

Resources: 

Make Math Moments Tasks

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

In this episode we speak with professor, author, speaker Jennifer Bay-Williams. Dr. Bay-Williams is an internationally respected mathematics educator, a prolific author and popular speaker on topics related to effective mathematics teaching. Her most recent work has focused on fluency in mathematics, communicating that it is more than learning facts and algorithms, but is about being able to reason and choose appropriate strategies. 

In our episode we chat about how we can help students (and parents) build flexibility and efficiency around basic math facts. Stick around until the end and you’ll hear great tips on how you can easily build fluency into your classroom. 

You’ll Learn: 

• How can we get students to basic math fact automaticity as quickly as possible?
• How can I put students in a decision making role?
• How we can get started with teaching students flexibility with basic facts.
• How we can help parents realize the difference between fluency and memorization.

Resources: 

Episode 179 - What’s On YOUR Worksheet and How Are You Using it?

Worksheets: Wretched or Wonderful? [Mini-Course]

Five Fundamentals of Fact Fluency [Book]

Elementary & Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally 11th edition [Book]. 

Math Fact Fluency [Book] 

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

What do I do after I finish a lesson? How does practice fit in? Do I have enough time to build conceptual understanding using a problem-based lesson AND still build fluency? 

In this episode Kyle and Jon share how they design lessons to meet these common “pebbles in our shoes” and while still covering the content standards. 

You’ll learn: 

• How to teach through problem based lessons with intentionality;
• What the most important learning target for any lesson should be; 
• How and when to use math talks in your unit planning; and, 
• How and when to use practice in your lesson/unit planning. 

Resources: 

Courses: 

How To Transform Your Textbook Into A Curiosity Machine [Free Video Course] 

Classroom Resources: 

Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]

Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & Units

Podcast Episodes: 

Why Use Math Talks and How To Ensure They Are Effective [Podcast]  

What’s on Your Worksheet? [Podcast] 

Books to Help:

Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz

Are 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!

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

Today we bring on Laura Tomas for a record third appearance. Laura has been an educator for 31 years, she’s a math coach and fellow podcast host from Palm Beach Florida. 

Laura chats with us today about providing support during the pandemic, why school leaders and coaches need to step into a teaching role on a regular basis, how to build a mentor/mentee relationship without pushing too hard, and how we can best support teachers when the standards shift or change. 

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 we can best support teachers when the standards shift/change;
• How to build mentor/mentee relationships without pushing too hard, too fast;
• Why school leaders should step into teaching roles on a regular basis; and, 
• How you can use “green sheets” as a means to build relationships by offering value to classroom teachers. 

Resources: 

Episode 93: How Do I Clear A Path For Growth?

Episode #46: How do I spark a love of learning in my fellow educators?

Laura on Twitter @iteachthewhy 

Learningthroughmath.com

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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

Have you ever met a math guru who shreds the keytar and just so happens to be in a rock band that opened for Bon Jovi? Vanessa Vakharia aka The Math Guru joins us on the show today to talk about why stereotypes are the biggest obstacle when it comes to teaching math, why failing Grade 11 math twice was the best thing that ever happened to her, and why the world would be a better place if math was as cool as The Kardashians!

You’ll Learn: 

• What math trauma is and how every one of us can be a math therapist;
• Why it is critical to set goals that are not anxiety inducing in math class;
• Why student-centered learning needs to be about more than just curriculum content;
• The secret to being the best math teacher in the world (hint: Ted Lasso)

Resources: 

Venssa’s website: www.themathguru.ca

Venssa’s podcast: www.maththerapypodcast.com

Venssa’s thesis: https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0071315

Venssa’s band: www.goodnightsunrise.com

Venssa’s socials:

Everything: @themathguru

Venssa’s band:

IG: www.instagram.com/goodnightsunriseband

Twitter: www.twitter.com/gnsrband

FG: www.facebook.com/gnsrband

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Take your random grouping to the next level with this printable cards. Mix and match different groupings on the fly.
Grab your cards here --> https://makemathmoments.com/random/ 

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