Meaningful Math

What does it really mean to teach math with purpose? In this episode, we’re starting a brand-new series that shifts the spotlight from what students do to what teachers do. We’ll introduce the eight Math Teaching Practices that bring clarity, focus, and meaning to math instruction. We’ll dig into the very first Teaching Practice and explore why setting strong, intentional learning goals is about m...

What do we do when a math problem feels too frustrating for a student? When a student shuts down because a math problem feels too hard, many of us instinctively encourage them to push through the frustration and keep working. But what if allowing them to step away and return later was actually the more powerful move?  In this episode, we explore why giving students permission to walk away fro...

In this episode, we’re exploring one of my favorite math routines, and it’s called My Favorite Mistake. I know that name might sound a little odd. After all, it makes it sound like mistakes are GOOD things. But if you’ve been part of this community for any length of time, you know that that’s exactly what I believe. Mistakes ARE good things! Press play to dive into My Favorite Mistake. More from u...

This episode explores how real-time recording of student thinking can strengthen classroom discussions and support deeper mathematical understanding. Together, we’ll unpack strategies for capturing and organizing student ideas in ways that honor their reasoning and promote connection across different strategies. You’ll come away with practical tools for turning classroom conversations into meaning...

When we ask better questions, students want to share their thinking more often, which is great... until conversations become chaotic or one-sided. That’s where Talk Moves come in. In this episode, we explore how Talk Moves can help create more respectful and productive math discussions in your classroom. You’ll learn how to use simple, intentional teacher prompts to guide students in explaining th...

This episode continues our deep dive into questioning in the math classroom by exploring what makes a question truly effective. You’ll learn how open-ended questions can increase engagement, encourage rich discourse, and help uncover deeper mathematical understanding. Together we’ll look at the core qualities of good questions, reflect on why planning questions matters, and explore practical ways...

What if I told you that today we’re going to begin exploring a topic that has the potential to completely change the dynamic of your classroom? That this single shift can actually give your math instruction a complete makeover? Well, the “one” thing I’m referring to is questions… specifically the questions we ask our students. Welcome to part 1 of this important conversation! This episode kicks of...

It might sound strange at first. After all, how can you solve a math problem without any numbers? But that’s exactly what makes numberless word problems such a powerful tool. In this episode, we explore how removing numbers actually helps students build deeper comprehension, plan solution paths, and develop the habit of asking, “Does this make sense?” We’ll unpack why students often rush into calc...

The hundred chart is a classroom staple, but what if a small change could make it an even more powerful tool? In this episode, we explore the bottom-up hundred chart, a lesser-known version that could help students build stronger connections between number, language, and direction. We’ll unpack what makes this twist on a familiar tool so useful, why it might be especially supportive for multilingu...

Let’s talk about one of the most underestimated math tools out there: your fingers. In this episode, we’re flipping the script on something that’s often seen as a sign of struggle. We’ll unpack why finger use in math deserves more credit, how it connects to student success, and what it might look like to embrace this tool instead of rushing students past it. By the end of this episode, you’ll have...

Looking for a low-prep routine that sparks deep thinking and gives every student a chance to shine? In this episode, we’re exploring Silent Math—a quiet, powerful routine that encourages students to slow down, observe patterns, and reflect before diving into discussion. You’ll learn how Silent Math works, why it’s so effective, and how to make it work for your classroom. We’ll walk through step-by...

In this episode, we're talking about one of our very favorite math tools for students from kindergarten all the way through second grade - the Rekenrek. You might be thinking, "What the heck is a Rekenrek?" Well, don’t worry. We're going to tell you ALL about it, including where it comes from, how it supports students’ development of place value and number sense, and how you can get started using...

Do calculators belong in elementary math classrooms? Or do they prevent students from learning the concepts? In this episode, we explore the long-debated question: are calculators a friend or a foe? We’ll unpack common concerns teachers have about calculator use and explore how research supports calculators as powerful learning tools; when used intentionally. You’ll learn the difference between pe...

Estimation often gets overlooked in elementary math instruction, yet it plays an important part in helping students reason flexibly, think critically, and develop meaningful number sense. This conversation invites you to reconsider estimation not as a throwaway guessing game, but as an essential tool for building mathematical reasoning and intuition. We’ll explore why estimation deserves a more in...

We’ve all had those tricky conversations with families about how math is taught today. Maybe you’ve been caught off guard by a parent asking why their child is learning math “a new way,” or you’ve struggled to explain how current math practices support deeper understanding. In this episode, we’re digging into why these questions come up and how you can respond with clarity and confidence. We’ll ta...

Math anxiety can start earlier than we think, and its impact runs deep. This episode will explore what math anxiety looks like in young learners and how it can quietly interfere with their confidence, participation, and long-term success in math. We look beyond surface behaviors to better understand the emotional and physical experiences students may have during math class and why those experience...

Today, we’re tackling an important and transformative topic: building strong mathematical identities. But what exactly is a mathematical identity, and why is it so critical not just for academic success, but for lifelong learning and personal growth? Press play to dive into the discussion! What does it take for students to see themselves as capable mathematicians? In this episode, we explore how m...

What does the way we arrange and organize our classroom communicate to our students about what learning is valued and who holds the knowledge? How can we set up our classrooms in a way that fosters collaboration and discussion? We’ll dig into all of it in this episode! The way we arrange our classrooms says more than we think. From the placement of desks to what’s on the walls, these choices quiet...

Some of the “rules” we teach in math class are surprisingly short-lived. They might work for a while... until they don’t.  In this episode, we’re diving into the kinds of strategies and shortcuts that seem helpful early on, but later become roadblocks to deep understanding. From multiplying by 10 to “you can’t take a bigger number from a smaller number,” we’ll take a look at a few examples of...

Today, we’re examining what happens when rules that students once learned in math class are no longer true, or in other words, they expire. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “If it’s a rule, how could it ever not be true? That seems like a contradiction.” And that’s a fair point. Let’s take a look at some examples and talk about it! In this episode, we take a closer look at the kinds of shor...

Today we’re diving into a hot topic in education: homework in the elementary grades. Many educators have strong opinions about homework, one way or the other. In today’s discussion, we will unpack what research tells us about homework, reflect on common issues associated with homework, and explore ways we can make it more meaningful for our students. Homework is one of the most debated topics in e...

Like most teachers, you probably administer a beginning-of-the-year assessment (BOYA). Too often, BOYAs become something we do just because it’s expected. We administer the test, we check the box, and we move on. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing BOYAs as a requirement, we saw them as an opportunity to really understand what our students need to succeed in math? An oppo...

Ready for Part 2? Too often, we move students through manipulatives, drawings, and number sentences without ever slowing down to help them make connections between these different representations. In this episode, we go beyond identifying the five representations in Lesh’s Translation Model and talk about how to build bridges between them. You’ll hear how translating within and across representati...

How do students build true understanding in math — the kind that lets them connect ideas, solve unfamiliar problems, and explain their thinking with clarity? In this episode, we explore a powerful framework that helps make that possible: Lesh’s Translation Model. You’ll hear how this model invites students to work across multiple representations of math ideas, and why those connections matter so m...

Many of us use the terms Number Talk and Math Talk interchangeably, but did you know they’re not actually the same thing? Maybe you knew, but still aren’t exactly sure what makes them different. Either way, we’ve got you covered.  In this episode, we zero in on what truly defines a Number Talk, why the differences between a Number Talk and Math Talk matter, and how understanding these distinc...