Making Math Moments That Matter

As we continue another school year during this pandemic, educators everywhere are asking themselves: What should I focus on most? How can I help my students get ready for the next grade level? Do I have time to teach through problem solving or should I just teach with direct instruction? What resources can I use so that I cover the curriculum and still teach deep learning? Let’s take a deep dive i...

Today we speak with Christine Michalyshen, a math consultant in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a mathematics consultant for the Frontier School Division, Christine shares her experiences early in her career as she struggled to meet the needs of her diverse student population with a wide range of mathematical readiness. After learning about Laney Sammons work with Guided Math, Christine dove in and is now...

In this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we sit down with fellow Math Moment Maker, Chase Orton. Chase is a self-proclaimed “Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher” and today, we sit him down to talk about exactly what that means.  The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher is actually the title of Chase’s brand new book where he offers a vulnerable and courageous grassroots g...

In this episode Jon & Kyle outline their experience using worksheets. You’ll hear them outline different styles of worksheets while giving you insight on how to design them to maximize student thinking. You’ll learn when you should use a worksheet, what types of problems should go on the worksheet, and when you should ditch the worksheet altogether.  You’ll learn:  The types of problems/questi...

In this special episode Kyle & Jon highlight and showcase one of their favourite new podcasts: Debate Math Podcast!  Recently in episode 4 of the Debate Math Podcast Jon and his daughter Lucie went head-to-head against Kyle and his daughter Taliah to debate: Is a hotdog a sandwich?  In this cross-posted episode you’ll hear the two hosts of the Debate Math Podcast, Chris Luzniak and Rob Baier s...

In this Math Mentoring Moment Episode, we speak with Jeremy Sarzana, a high school math teacher at a Vocational High School in Boston, Massachusetts. Jeremy has been putting all kinds of great pedagogical practices into play including students working in randomized groups to engage in problem based lessons and is having success. However, when it comes time to consolidate the lesson, the student pa...

Today we speak with University Professor, author and former Making Math Moments That Matter Online Workshop participant, Elana Reise. Elana joins us today to chat about how we can leverage curiosity to engage students in solving abstract mathematics - in particular, mathematical proofs!  Join us for a great conversation with Elana where we discuss her initial hesitation to get into mathematics edu...

Today we speak with Sarah Stecher from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sarah has experience teaching courses from Geometry all the way through to AP Calculus in the most diverse public high school in Michigan. She is now the chief lesson designer at Math Medic, a website that provides free lesson plans for teachers, covering the entire high school math curriculum. The discussion today will focus around th...

In this episode, we’re eager to dive into a discussion about the beginning of each and every math class… you got it: Warm-Ups!  Stick around and you’ll hear how the Math Moment Maker Community defines and implements warm-ups, why different approaches to implementing warm-ups can be helpful and how you can be a little more choosy with your next math class warm-up in this jam packed episode. You’ll...

In this “where are they now” episode, we speak with Caitlyn Sloan, a high school math teacher from Georgia is back to update us on how she has managed since sharing struggles to bring a problem based approach to her support students. After sharing the changes she’s made in her approach, we then dig into her most recent focus for her math classroom: communication. How can we emphasize communication...

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...