Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Build Math Minds Podcast

In this episode, I'm kicking off a series on building math fluency by diving into what I wish I had known when I first started teaching—the critical foundations students need BEFORE we ever ask them to add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

Many students can DO the math, but they don't truly UNDERSTAND it. And the problem isn't that they need more practice—they're missing something much more fundamental.

I'm sharing the four early numeracy concepts from the research of Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama: subitizing (instantly recognizing quantities without counting), verbal counting (understanding number patterns and structure), object counting (purposefully counting items), and cardinality (understanding that the final count represents the total quantity).

You might be thinking these sound like kindergarten concepts, but stay with me! These foundations develop in sophistication all the way through 5th grade and beyond, including fraction subitizing and understanding complex number relationships.

I've got free Savvy Subitizing Cards (PreK-2nd) and Fraction Subitizing Cards (3rd-5th) linked up at https://buildmathminds.com/207 to help you with one of the 4 early numeracy concepts.

Next episode, we'll dig into the four number relationships that move students from counting to mathematical thinking!

What if transforming your math teaching only required 4 minutes a day? In this episode, Christina breaks down the powerful concept of getting 1% better daily and shows how just 4 minutes of intentional change in your classroom adds up to 12 hours of enhanced math learning over the school year. Perfect for busy educators who want to make a real impact without overwhelming themselves. Get your free guide with 30+ quick math activities to get you started at BuildMathMinds.com/1%

As an elementary math coach, do you feel like you're trying to be everywhere at once with never enough time to make the impact you want? In this episode, discover how to use the 80/20 principle to transform your coaching approach and actually increase your impact while saving time.

Learn how to strategically apply the 80/20 rule in two key ways:

Which Teachers to Prioritize: How to identify the 20% of teachers who will create the biggest ripple effect across your school (hint: it's not just about who needs the most help)

What to Coach On: The foundational instructional moves that will serve teachers for years versus the "trivial many" that keep you busy but don't create lasting change

Stop spreading yourself thin and start coaching smarter. By the end of this video, you'll have a clear framework for focusing your energy on what truly matters - and you'll walk away with two concrete action steps to implement immediately.

Perfect for elementary math coaches, instructional coaches, and math specialists looking to maximize their impact with limited time.

What You'll Get: ✅ Understanding of the 80/20 principle and how it applies to coaching ✅ Specific strategies for identifying high-impact teachers to prioritize ✅ Clear criteria for choosing coaching topics that create lasting change ✅ Two actionable lists to create after watching

Are timed math activities helping or harming our elementary students? This controversial topic divides educators, but the research tells a clear story when we dig deeper.

In this episode, we explore evidence-based strategies for using timed activities to build math fluency without creating anxiety or trauma. Drawing from the What Works Clearinghouse's analysis of 27 studies involving over 4,300 students, we discover that the problem isn't timed activities themselves—it's how they've been implemented.

You'll learn the five essential steps for effective timed math practice: identifying already-learned topics, choosing engaging activities, ensuring students have efficient strategies, tracking meaningful progress, and providing immediate feedback. We move beyond traditional worksheets and timers to explore alternatives like number talks, mental math relays, and "beat your own score" games.

This episode directly addresses real teacher questions about timed facts assessments and students who struggle with computation speed on standardized tests. We tackle the balance between building number sense and developing computational fluency, offering practical solutions for both classroom instruction and assessment preparation.

Whether you're a classroom teacher questioning your current math fluency practices or a math coach supporting teachers through this debate, this episode provides research-backed strategies you can implement immediately.

WWC/IES Practice Guide for Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics 

In this cross-posted episode from Math Chat, host Mona Iehl interviews Christina Tondevold about developing number sense in elementary students. Christina shares her journey from a "procedural" math student to becoming a math coach and founder of Build Math Minds.

The conversation explores the eight components of number sense: four early numeracy concepts (subitizing, verbal counting, object counting, and cardinality) and four number relationships (spatial relationships, one/two more or less, benchmarks of 5 and 10, and part-part-whole). Christina explains how these concepts help move students beyond counting to more efficient math strategies.

Practical classroom strategies discussed include using sticky notes to assess students' visual number understanding, implementing subitizing activities, and strategically choosing numbers in word problems to reinforce key number relationships. Both educators emphasize the importance of allowing students to solve problems in ways that make sense to them, rather than forcing procedural approaches.

This episode provides valuable insights for teachers looking to build true mathematical understanding rather than just procedural knowledge in their students.

Check out Mona’s podcast Math Chat

Enroll in The Flexibility Formula Course

In Episode 202: Going Beyond the Task When Building Thinking Classrooms, we reveal the exciting lineup of special guests for our summer book study on 'Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades K-5' by Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux. Starting July 14th, each week will feature a video with reading prompts followed by live Q&A sessions with experts including first-grade teacher Tammy McMorrow, co-author of the book Maegan Giroux, and Official BTC Consultant Kim Rimbey. Join now at BuildMathMinds.com/bookstudy25 to receive a 20% discount code plus free shipping within the US, and participate in these valuable learning opportunities with educators who are transforming mathematics classrooms.

In Episode 201, I share two exciting summer learning opportunities for fellow Recovering Traditionalists as we prepare to pause the podcast until August. First, enroll in The Flexibility Formula online courses (K-2 or 3-5) to transform how you build math fluency with your students. BuildMathMinds.com/courses 

Second, join our free summer book study on "Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades K-5" by Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux, starting July 14th. Register now at BuildMathMinds.com/bookstudy25 to receive a publisher discount (20% off with free US shipping) and access to exclusive weekly videos featuring insights from myself, Rosalba Serrano, and special guests. We'll explore Part 1 (BTC Practices in Review) and Part 4 (From Page to Practice), focusing on implementing thinking tasks and creating your own curriculum resources. This essential companion to Building Thinking Classrooms will help you prepare for next year's math instruction with practical strategies and ready-to-use templates.

In this milestone 200th episode of The Build Math Minds Podcast, I share the three essential math experiences every classroom needs: Number Routines, Word Problems, and Games. Drawing from research-backed practices in the IES/WWC guides, I explain why these activities are crucial for developing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application in mathematics. Learn how Number Routines make implicit math concepts explicit, how Word Problems should help students understand mathematical structures beyond keywords, and how Games provide engaging practice that builds fluency. To celebrate this 200th episode milestone, I'm offering a free Google file with examples of all three experiences that you can download at BuildMathMinds.com/200. After 200 episodes, these core principles remain unchanged - Routines, Word Problems, and Games help Build Math Minds!

In this episode, I explore the fascinating world of finger use in math and specifically how we represent numbers differently. After noticing that Dan Finkel and I show the number 3 with completely different finger configurations, I dive into why these variations matter for children's mathematical understanding. Through personal stories about my own children's attempts to show the number 5, I highlight how fixed representations can limit children's number sense. Join me to discover why showing quantities in multiple ways—whether using fingers, ten frames, or rekenreks—helps develop deeper mathematical thinking and flexibility. A must-listen for teachers and parents wanting to build stronger number foundations with young learners.

In this episode, Christina Tondevold welcomes special guest Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love and creator of popular games like Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dot. Dan shares his three essential principles for effectively implementing mathematical games in the classroom: games should involve meaningful choices, math should be the engine driving the gameplay, and games should be simple to learn and quick to play. Through personal stories and classroom examples, Dan and Christina explore how games transform math from a dreaded chore into an engaging learning experience. The episode concludes with a demonstration of the "31 Game," a simple yet strategic counting game that exemplifies how mathematical play can build number sense, encourage strategic thinking, and create a classroom culture where students aren't afraid to show what they don't know. Perfect for educators looking to reinvigorate their math instruction between standardized testing periods!

Join the Build Math Minds PD site to access the Mini Courses

https://buildmathminds.com/bmm/ 

Dan’s website Math For Love

https://mathforlove.com/ 

Dan’s game Prime Climb

https://amzn.to/3Y3jN5y 

Dan’s game Tiny Polka Dot

https://amzn.to/44sfRiI 

In this final episode of our three-part series on upleveling missing part activities, I share ways to transform two popular math games: Salute and Number Sandwiches. Learn how to modify these traditional games to help your students build a deeper understanding of number relationships through missing part problems. These upleveled versions create opportunities for students to work with equivalent expressions while maintaining the fun and engagement of game-based learning. Perfect for elementary math teachers looking to enhance their daily math lessons with games that challenge students to think more deeply about mathematical relationships.

In this second installment of our three-part series on Missing Part Activities, we explore 'repackaging tasks' - a powerful approach to traditional missing part word problems. While educators are familiar with finding unknown parts in word problems like “Christina has $12, she spends some now she has $7.  How much did she spend?”, repackaging tasks push mathematical thinking further by having students redistribute quantities across equivalent expressions. Through practical examples in both multiplication and addition contexts, I demonstrate how these problems help students develop a deeper understanding of equality, number properties, and flexible thinking strategies. Learn how incorporating these enhanced word problems alongside your regular curriculum builds stronger mathematical minds.

Part 1 is Episode 195 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZKctj2pns  

In this episode, we explore how to elevate your 'Missing Part' math activities beyond the basic type like 5 + __ = 12' into more problems that help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical equality and build foundational number properties. Get a quick way to implement these enhanced activities in your classroom. Perfect for elementary educators looking to strengthen their students' mathematical thinking without explicitly teaching formal properties. This is the first in a three-part series on upleveling Missing Part activities for more meaningful math instruction.

In this episode, we explore the common misconception about mental math in mathematics education. Featuring insights from Pam Harris' newly published book 'Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms,' we discuss why mental math isn't about doing calculations without paper—it's about developing quality thinking strategies. 

In this episode, I follow up on last week's introduction to the Lesh Translation Model with an important caution. While I previously shared a template for The Translation Task, today I explore concerns raised by John Mason in the 1987 book "Problems of Representation in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics." Mason warns that frameworks like the Lesh Model can become "mechanical schemes for generating yet more useless student activity" when implemented without proper attention. I offer two specific ways to prevent this template from becoming routine and mindless.  This episode emphasizes the importance of thoughtful implementation over mechanical application of educational frameworks. For more information and to download the Translation Task Template, visit BuildMathMinds.com/193.

In Episode 192, "A Math Task All Teachers Should be Doing," I discuss the Lesh Translation Model, a powerful framework that was frequently featured at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. This model, which dates back to 1979 but was highlighted in NCTM's 2014 book "Principles to Actions," identifies five different ways to represent mathematical concepts: Manipulatives (objects), Realistic (real-life contexts), Pictorial (drawings), Language (verbal descriptions), and Symbolic (numbers/equations). I explain how these representations are interconnected and how developing multiple representations helps students build a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The episode introduces the Translation Task, where students are given one representation of a concept and asked to create the other representations. Grab the free download of the Translation Task template at BuildMathMinds.com/192 to start doing the task immediately with your students to strengthen mathematical understanding through multiple representations.

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:

1. Building Thinking Classrooms through non-examples and "just-in-time" teaching

2. Moving beyond algorithms to develop mathematical relationships

3. Connecting contextual, physical, visual, symbolic, and verbal representations

4. Using ten frames to develop place value understanding across grade levels

5. Enhancing mathematical discourse through children's literature and instructional routines

6. 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 

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 

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 

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

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

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 

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  

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 

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  

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/ 

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  

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  

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  

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  

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  

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 

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 

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

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.

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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  

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 

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.

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.

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. 

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.