Math Chat

Send us Fan Mail When do you actually teach in a student-centered math classroom? Teacher friend... if you've ever wondered that, you're not alone. In Part 4 of the Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers series, we're talking all about Strategic Instruction —the teaching moves that happen because of what your students show you. We'll unpack why student-centered instruction abs...

Send us Fan Mail What if math fluency wasn't about speed... but about thinking? In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast , we're rethinking what it means to build mathematical fluency in elementary classrooms. Instead of timed tests and memorization, discover how purposeful fluency helps students develop flexible strategies, notice patterns, explain their reasoning, and build lasting mat...

Send us Fan Mail Before students can confidently solve problems, they need opportunities to confidently share ideas. We're continuing our Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers series by exploring one of my favorite places to start: Thinking Routines. These routines create low-pressure opportunities for students to notice patterns, share ideas, compare strategies, justify their thinking, and...

Send us Fan Mail Creating a classroom of problem solvers can feel overwhelming when you're trying to fit problem solving, fluency, discourse, assessment, intervention, and curriculum pacing into a single math block. In this episode we're unpacking the six essential elements that help students become confident, capable mathematicians and how these elements work together to create a classr...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most important thing you teach at the beginning of the year isn’t a routine… but a belief about what math actually IS ? In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we’re talking about how to launch the school year with a true problem-solving mindset so students learn to think, persevere, discuss ideas, and trust themselves as mathematicians from day one. Because students...

Send us Fan Mail What if before planning next year… you actually took time to recognize how much growth happened THIS year? In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we’re talking about meaningful end-of-year reflection for math teachers, how to recognize the shifts that happened in your classroom, and why reflection is one of the most important parts of learning. Before we jump into planning next...

Send us Fan Mail Turn and talk is one of the most common strategies in math classrooms—but most teachers aren’t using it in a way that actually builds student thinking. In this episode, (part 4 of the Math Discussion Makeover Series) we break down how to use turn and talk intentionally to unlock deeper thinking, increase engagement, and strengthen math discussions. What You’ll Learn: Why turn and...

Send us Fan Mail What if your math questioning strategies are actually limiting student thinking?  In this episode, we unpack why many “open-ended” math questions are really closed in disguise—and how a few simple shifts in your math questioning strategies can unlock deeper thinking and stronger math discussions. After this episode you'll know...   How common math questioning strategies can u...

Send us Fan Mail What if one of the most common teaching habits is actually training students not to listen? In this episode, we unpack why repeating students during math discussions can quietly kill engagement and what to do instead to build stronger, more meaningful math conversations. What You’ll Learn Why repeating students reduces student-to-student listening The hidden reason students diseng...

Send us Fan Mail If your math share time feels disengaged, the issue might not be your students… it might be the structure. In this episode, we unpack how one common routine is quietly reducing student engagement and what simple shift can help students listen, think, and fully participate in math discussions. What You’ll Learn: Why bringing student work to the carpet can actually lower student eng...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself walking around during grapple time unsure of where to go or what to say? This episode taps into that exact moment—when students are at different stages and the instinct is to jump in and fix everything. You’ll discover why the real power of grapple time isn’t in giving answers, but in how you respond to student thinking in math . Most teachers were tra...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve likely felt this before—leaving a PD inspired, only to return to the same classroom routines the next day. This episode opens with an honest question: if we know what works in math instruction, why aren’t we seeing real change? The answer isn’t more effort—it’s creating the structure and support needed to make math a language of power in every classroom. We’ve explored the...

Send us Fan Mail In recent conversations, we’ve unpacked a common frustration: math instruction isn’t always producing the confident problem solvers we hope for. But what if the issue isn’t effort or ability—what if it’s structure? This episode opens the door to what’s possible when a school shifts how students experience math as a language of power . Here’s the surprising part: nothing new was ad...

Send us Fan Mail What if the reason students struggle with math problem solving has nothing to do with effort, curriculum, or ability? In this opening, we challenge a common assumption and reveal a powerful truth: the structure of math classrooms is often what holds students back from building confidence. This shift in perspective sets the stage for transforming how we think about teaching math as...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever walked out of professional development thinking, “That makes so much sense”… only to return to your classroom and teach the exact same way? You’re not alone—and this episode dives into the real reason why knowing better doesn’t always lead to doing better in your math classroom. Here’s the reality: teachers don’t struggle because they lack knowledge—they struggle bec...

Send us Fan Mail Right now, gamified math platforms are everywhere—and yes, they can feel like a lifesaver. Students are engaged, they’re excited, and for a moment, it feels like learning is happening seamlessly through technology in math classrooms. However, this episode invites you to pause and consider what these tools are actually teaching students about math. At first glance, math games seem...

Send us Fan Mail Many teachers have experienced this exact moment. Students can add, subtract, and multiply during a lesson, but the moment they see a word problem, everything seems to unravel. In this episode, we explore why word problems in math often feel so challenging—even when students clearly know the computation. One of the biggest shifts in teaching math word problems is understanding the...

Send us Fan Mail Reaching 200 episodes of the Math Chat is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. For two hundred conversations, we’ve challenged the idea that math is just memorizing steps and instead focused on building thinkers through meaningful math word problems and discussion. Most importantly, this episode reflects on what still matters most after years of listening, learning, and growing...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Samuel Otten brings deep expertise and practical insight into helping teachers strengthen mathematical practices in math classrooms. With advanced degrees from Michigan State University and roots at Grand Valley State University, his journey reflects a lifelong commitment to improving math education. In this episode, you’ll discover how his research translates into actionable...

Send us Fan Mail If sustainable change in math instruction were simply about trying harder, most teachers would already be there. In this episode, Mona names a truth many educators feel but rarely say out loud: lasting instructional change doesn’t come from more effort alone — it comes from meaningful support. This conversation offers clarity, validation, and a path forward for teachers, coaches,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore what happens when math instruction moves beyond answers and procedures and into interpretation, questioning, and meaning-making. This conversation invites educators to rethink how math prepares students not just for tests, but for a world shaped by numbers, data, and decisions. At its core, this episode reminds us that teaching math is about more than c...

Send us Fan Mail When students were asked to solve independently, things quickly unraveled. Behaviors surfaced, lessons derailed, and reliance on the teacher increased. This wasn’t a lack of effort — it was a lack of confidence, a common barrier in developing effective math problem solvers. After the lesson ended, one question lingered: Do they actually understand the math? Students had learned ho...

Send us Fan Mail What if math classrooms were places where every child saw themselves as capable, curious, and confident? In this episode, we’re joined by Deborah Peart Crayton , founder and Queen Mather of My Mathematical Mind , to explore what it truly means to become a Mather . Together, we unpack how joyful learning, strong identity, and intentional instruction can transform how students exper...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when students haven’t been taught the math yet—but the task is right there waiting? In this episode, I unpack the fear many teachers feel before launching a rich task and explains why that hesitation, while understandable, often blocks the very learning we want. If you’ve ever wondered whether your students are “ready,” this conversation will gently shift how you thin...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest shift in your math block didn’t come from a new curriculum or tool—but from the questions you ask? In this episode, I explore how intentional math questions can spark deeper thinking, richer conversations, and stronger reasoning, all while requiring teachers to talk less. If you’ve ever felt the urge to jump in and explain, this conversation will feel both chal...