The Build Math Minds Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 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