Meaningful Math

This week, we're focusing on powerful math routines to start your school year! We'll explore a variety of research-backed routines designed to captivate your students, deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts, and streamline your classroom management. Whether you're a veteran teacher or new to math instruction, these routines will help you set the tone for a successful, enriching year i...

Let’s take a closer look at the equal sign and how complex this concept actually is. In this episode, we will discuss the meaning of the equal sign, the misconceptions students have about the symbol, why those misconceptions occur, and what we can do about it! What does it really mean to understand the equal sign? For many students, this tiny symbol carries a big misunderstanding. It is often seen...

Today we will be tackling a topic that several of you have said you want to learn more about: The CRA model, (Concrete Representational Abstract). Unfortunately, many teachers learned math in the abstract. However, now we get to create opportunities to build student understanding with concrete experiences, and make meaning of the math. It's exciting stuff, so press play! It’s one thing for student...

Subitizing is a powerful way to build multiplication fluency with your students because it gives them an opportunity to visualize strategies that can help them quickly recall unknown facts. For many students, subitizing feels a lot less scary and a lot more fun than flashcards, or other more traditional forms of fluency practice. So press play and let's dig into HOW to use subitizing to build fact...

Subitizing is an important skill that helps lay the foundation of understanding wholes and parts, which evolves into addition, subtraction, and later multiplication and division. In this episode, we’ll discuss the two types of subitizing, dig into ways we can encourage these skills, and understand the natural progression of subitizing skills to follow with your students. Sound good? The press play...

Subtraction often gets stuck in a single storyline: “take away and count back.” But what if students had the chance to think differently, to reason about subtraction in ways that are more efficient, more intuitive, and more meaningful? In this final episode of our fluency series, we revisit what makes subtraction challenging and explore how students shift from early strategies to more flexible thi...

Have you ever stopped to think about just how many math facts there are? If you consider all four operations, there are hundreds of math facts for students to learn. Students need to learn strategies to solve math facts and develop a conceptual understanding of the operation as opposed to relying on memorization! In this episode, we continue our fluency series by exploring what makes subtraction u...

There’s a big difference between solving a math problem and understanding the math behind it. In this episode, we continue our discussion on addition fluency by exploring how students begin to move beyond early strategies and discover more efficient, flexible ways to add within 10 and 20. You’ll hear how intentional routines like Number Talks, and visual tools like dot images and ten frames can he...

When we talk about fluency, speed, and accuracy usually steal the spotlight, but there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. In this episode, we unpack what true fluency really means and why it’s about more than just getting correct answers quickly. You’ll learn about the four components of fluency, explore the phases students move through on their journey toward mastery, and reflect on what...

We’re kicking off this podcast by stepping back to reconnect with the why behind the Standards for Mathematical Practice and rethinking how we use them in our classrooms. Instead of viewing them as just another box to check, we’ll explore how they can be powerful tools that help students become confident, capable doers of math. In this episode, we’re zooming in on the first practice: Make sense of...

What does it mean to reason? It’s such a simple term, but there is so much depth to it. And what about thinking quantitatively? How is the CRA model embedded in Math Practice #2? What questions can we be asking to best utilize Math Practice #2 in our classroom? In this episode, we dig into Math Practice 2 and explore what it means to help students make sense of quantities, symbols, and problems in...

Does it ever feel like you're doing most of the talking during math lessons? Or are you wondering how to get your students to share their thinking and actually listen to one another?  In today’s conversation, we’re exploring Math Practice 3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. We’ll look at what it really means to create a math classroom where student voices take...

“Model with mathematics” sounds straightforward… until you try to define what it looks like in a real K–3 classroom. Is it about teacher modeling? Using manipulatives? Solving word problems? This episode takes a closer look, and might just shift your perspective. In this episode, we take a surprising turn into what Math Practice 4 really asks of us and our students. We’ll explore how to help kids...

When we think about math tools, the first thing that comes to mind for most of us are calculators and rulers. Yes, these are math tools, but many other items are considered math tools, and some of them might even surprise you! In this episode, we dig into Math Practice 5: Use appropriate tools strategically , and explore what it looks like when students aren’t just using math tools but choosing th...

Have you ever had a student who when asked to explain their thinking simply says, “I just knew it” or “I just did the math”? We want our students to be able to go deeper and say more than this. We want them to share HOW they knew it and WHAT math they did. In this episode, we take a closer look at Math Practice 6: Attend to precision , and explore how it goes far beyond correctness. You’ll hear ho...

There are structures that serve as the foundation for math concepts, such as our base 10 number system, measurement systems, and the hierarchy of shapes. In this episode, we unpack Math Practice 7: Look for and make use of structure , and explore how helping students notice and use the building blocks of math can completely transform how they approach new problems. From number patterns to properti...

We are diving into our 8th and final math practice: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning , and how it helps students move beyond shortcuts to develop real number sense. This practice is all about noticing patterns, finding structure, and making math more efficient and meaningful on their own terms. You’ll hear how routines like Number Talks can create space for those “aha” moments...