Making Math Moments That Matter

In this episode, Kyle & Jon address a few common misconceptions from the Math Moment Maker community around teaching problem-based lessons and units.  Stick around and you’ll hear how to find the right balance between what students know and what they need to learn in your lesson; when we should be assessing for learning; how to consolidate a problem-based lesson; and,how to manage the flow of...

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 curriculu...

Today we speak with Janelle Fortmuller, a grade 5/6 teacher from Alberta. Janelle shares insights, key learnings she had around lesson design and planning in her math class.  Janelle shares her transformation from a teacher who pre-taught all the strategies and algorithms to a confident, flexible teacher who engages her students in problem solving every day.  This is another Math Mentoring Moment...

Today the tables have turned! In this episode Jon & Kyle switch over to the other side of the interview and are put on the hot seat!  Jess Michalchuk, a Grade 7 educator from Foam Lake, Saskatchewan working towards a Masters of Education, interviews Jon & Kyle about memorable math moments from their teaching experience, their thoughts on leadership and innovation in mathematics and much mo...

In this compilation episode of the podcast in honour of Black History Month, Kyle & Jon highlight six educators of colour that have had a significant impact on their pedagogical practices as they continue their journey to craft a more culturally responsive classroom experience for all students.  You’ll hear from Rafranz Davis speak about diversity, Lauren Baucom’s passion towards de-tracking; ...

In this episode, Kyle and Jon speak with James Tanton, Mathematician-at-Large for the Mathematical Association of America and Founder of the Global Math Project and Ted Coe, NWEA’s Director of Content Advocacy and Design.  James and Ted hop on the show today to dig into the collective work of a group of mathematics education leaders involving one of the most important yet misunderstood concepts in...

Today we speak with Garret Schneider, a middle school math teacher from Indiana. Like many of us, Garret is feeling a little bit like he’s a lone wolf as he continues to seek out ways to elevate his teaching practice while many colleagues continue independently on their own teaching journeys.  In this Math Mentoring Moment Episode, we will dig into why this lone journey is getting Garret down and...

Today we speak with Aubrey McKelvey, a 7th & 8th grade teacher from Nashville Tennessee. Like many middle schoolers, Aubrey's students are tuning out and demanding the “fast food” version of math class. Her students want to skip understanding and go directly to the how . In this episode we’ll uncover the real issue behind this lack of engagement and help Aubrey with some next steps.  This...

We speak with Philip Dituri from FiCycle.org about financial literacy: while so important in the real world, but is somehow rarely discussed or taught in schools. Philip shares how we can answer the common question “when will I ever need this in real life?” He shares how teachers can blend their existing curriculum with contextual lessons based in personal finance, and we discuss why we need to pr...

In this episode, Jon & Kyle take a deep dive into how we can make our existing curriculum resources be it a textbook or worksheets into curious lessons that students lean in to learn. Specifically, we’ll be talking about why Sparking Curiosity is such an important part of the Make Math Moments 3-Part Framework and some strategies for the types of problems you might choose to transform.  You’ll...

We speak with Po-Shen Loh from an American professor of mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University and the national coach of the United States' International Math Olympiad team. Po-Shen shares how he believes - whether teaching in person or online - that we can never take the attention of the student for granted. So how do we craft engaging lessons that can keep the attention of our students w...

Kyle and Jon speak with Tyson Banker, a senior high school teacher from Calgary, Alberta. Like many of us teachers Tyson wonders how to change his assessment routines and structures without compromising his timelines and content standards. In this chat we share with Tyson some practical ideas that we’ve implemented in our classrooms that help with Tyson’s real struggle.  This is another Math Mento...

We chat with Nicole Whitty about the importance of big ideas and intentionality when leading your lessons. In this Math Mentoring Moment Episode we dig into how you can learn “who heard what” in your math lesson; why focusing on the intentionality of your problem based lesson will help make more connections during the consolidation of your lesson; and, what you can do when some kids are ‘getting i...

In this episode, Jon & Kyle share a reason your math lesson may be coming up short and how you can fix it.  Jon & Kyle share their 4 pillars of classroom norms that shape the routines and learning in their math classes and how you can create your pillars!  You’ll learn:  Why your math lesson might be coming up short; How co-constructing your classroom learning pillars can help with classro...

We speak with Lenny VerMaas from Lincoln Nebraska. Lenny has spent 28 years as a middle and high school classroom teacher followed by an additional 16 years working to support math teachers! Lenny shares with us struggles and strategies he’s learned and overcome over the years he’s helped teachers.  This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker...

In this episode, we’ll unpack the real flipped classroom, how to transform a typical lesson into an engaging problem based math lesson. We’ll share how to slowly emerge shortcuts instead of giving them upfront and finally we’ll chat about what to do if students aren’t engaging with the problem based lesson we’ve just transformed!  You’ll learn:  How to structure your lessons around the”real” flipp...

Math Talks, Number Talks, Minilessons, Warm-ups… What are these routines? Is there a difference? If so, what are those differences? In this episode, we’ll unpack what we believe the true elements of a Math Talk are and how you can leverage the power of an effective Math Talk in your classroom to start your next math lesson! You’ll learn:  What is a math talk and what Is not a math talk; The Teache...

In this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we chat with Steve Leinwand and Eric Milou about strategies to create an Invigorating High School Math program. Steve served as Mathematics Supervisor in the Connecticut Department of Education for 22 years and is a former president of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. In 2021, he was awarded the National Council of...

In this episode you’ll hear Ryan Kinzler, a 8th grade teacher from Pittsburg discuss his concerns over blending his traditional curriculum resources (such as the textbook) with high impact strategies and problem based lessons. In this discussion Ryan realizes how to feel confident with the choices he makes in the classroom and how small moves will result in big impact.  This is another Math Mentor...

Today on the podcast Jon & Kyle dig into Crafting a Hero’s Journey: The Power of Storytelling in Math Class including why teaching math should be more like telling a story, what elements will help you craft a lesson that plays out like a story to spark curiosity in your students, how to get kids hooked in just like your favourite movies and books, and finally where you can go to learn more and...

On the podcast today we speak with Chrissy Allison. Chrissy is a former middle school math teacher and instructional coach who’s spent the past 7 years supporting school administrators and their coaches to improve teaching and learning through professional learning and instructional coaching. She’s the host of The Mindful Math Podcast, and she works full time as an online coach for school- and dis...

We’re bringing back two wonderful and hilariously entertaining educators who are passionate about helping parents navigate math education. Hilary Kresiberg and Matthew Beyranevand have co authored a new book for teachers called Partnering With Parents.  Stick around and learn how to help parents deal with math anxiety so they can assist their children at home; how to communicate with your parents...

Today we speak with Shelley Yearley all about how we can rethink fractions in the mathematics classroom! Shelley is a fellow Ontario educator, researcher and author who has held many roles over her career which you will hear all about today including her most recent role as she has returned to the classroom! Stick with us and you learn why you should focus on unit fractions before rushing to the a...

In this episode we speak with the great Marilyn Burns. Marilyn  is one of today’s most highly respected mathematics educators. Over the course of more than 55 years, Marilyn has taught children, led professional development sessions, spoken at conferences, contributed to professional journals, written more than a dozen books for children, and created more than 20 professional development resources...

On today’s episode, we’re excited to dive into how to make the most of the VIRTUAL conferences you attend including how to avoid “death by webinar”! We’ll also be diving into some strategies on how to be more picky when selecting your session plus how to stay more engaged while you’re in them.  Finally we’re excited to make a BIG announcement that we know the Math Moment Maker Community is going t...