Making Math Moments That Matter

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...

That there is Christa Amezcua from Mexico! Christa is a middle school teacher and comes on the show today to talk about what we should do when you’re doubting your teaching approach and strategies.  We chat with Christa about a recent interaction she had with a colleague that left her feeling a bit inadequate and we help her focus her efforts so she can build her confidence so she can continue to...

As we start/continue another school year during this pandemic we might find ourselves asking: 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 activities or should I just teach with direct instruction? What resources can I use so that I cover the curriculum and still teach deep learning?  As we are both practicing educators...

Jon & Kyle share insights on their journey with spiralling their math lessons over the last 8 years. They dive into what spiralling is, why you should consider this structural change in your classes, and how they changed to this model from their mostly traditional approach to math lessons.  You’ll also learn what they changed along the way in their journey as well as how to get started so you...

We’re speaking with David Alewine in this Math Mentoring Moment Episode. David is home-schooling his twin 6 year olds and doing a fantastic job at weaving different curriculums and resources together to reach his kids and help them with what they need most.  David shares his story of how he chose to home-school, the benefits and drawbacks that he faces, and he’s seeking advice from Jon and Kyle ab...

On the podcast today we speak with Lana Steiner about all things assessment! Lana is from the Horizon School Division in Saskatchewan and she’s been working with teachers to deepen their assessment strategies to learn how to capture and rely on observations and conversations in the math classroom.  Stick with us and you learn How teachers can rely on their professional judgement to assess students...

In this episode Kyle and Jon dive deep into a problem based task and unpack it so you can make math moments every day in your classroom.  You’ll Learn:  The teacher moves we need to make before starting a task with our students;  The elements that are necessary to build a great problem based lesson; What a problem based unit looks like over the course of 5 days; and, Where purposeful practice fits...

We chat with Jordan Rappaport - a teacher from Toronto, Ontario. Jordan’s journey stretches from traditional teacher to Make Math Moment Academy member to regional presenter and most recently, a new member of the Make Math Moments Curriculum Writing Team. In this episode Jordan shares his expertise on how to begin the transformation from an “I do, we do, you do” lesson structure to a problem based...

On the podcast today we speak with Isis Spann on why building a strong home-school relationship is important to ensure all students can achieve at high levels!  Isis is an early years educator dedicated to helping families get a “leg up” when it comes to helping their children with math. She shares her thoughts on the best tools for connecting with families; how we can elevate the importance of nu...

We’re back for our third installment of our How To Start The School Year Off right! In this episode Kyle and Jon share their tips and strategies on how to prepare for the coming school year from the first day all the way to the last.  In episode 36 and episode 88 we’ve shared the activities you could do in the first week to build the classroom culture that is needed to fuel the thinking you want y...

Today we speak with Nick Rhodes who has been teaching online in one of the largest cyber schools in America. Nick shares his story from transforming from a rock band front man to working in accounting to teaching math to being a founding member of our Make Math Moments Academy to becoming a rockstar online teacher! Nick wonders how to adjust his assessment practices so they line up with his proble...

On the podcast today we speak with Norma Gordon on how you can create a less stressful math classroom through mindfulness. Norma has successfully transformed her classroom and helped numerous teachers embed mindfulness in their routines.  Stick around and you’ll hear Norma walk us through a mindfulness activity and share how to add mindfulness to your mathematics classroom, how to connect mindfuln...

In this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast, Jon and Kyle discuss 5 Tips to Guide You to Summer Growth. These tips are great ways to take your mathematics professional development into your own hands while not interfering with all of the important aspects that go with our well deserved summer vacations: family, friends, rest and relaxation. Go ahead and hit that play button and...

Today we speak with Christina Michaels - a teacher for over 24 years from Tucson Arizona. Christina has just taken our online course The Concept Holding Your Students Back: Unlocking the Key Understanding of Proportional Reasoning and is implementing many of the strategies she has learned. The pebble in Christina’s shoe is around the question: “When is the right time to show my students a model th...

Today we bring on our old friend Alex Overwijk from Ottawa Ontario who shares his teaching journey and transformation from a pretty typical high school math teacher to an engaging activity based thinking classroom advocate!  In our discussion we learn the answers to how to engage your students with activity based learning, why finding a teaching partner who is willing to make change with you is so...

Today we have a special treat for your ears! We recently held a live panel discussion at the annual OAME Conference (Ontario Association of Mathematics) on de-streaming the grade 9 math program here in Ontario with some pretty special guests!  We were honoured to host Dr. Christine Suurtamm who is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Ottawa, Hema Khodai, an Instructional Resou...