How can we engage our students for the entire class with grade level content? Puzzles aligned to grade level standards is one answer.  In this episode we speak with Gordon Hamilton from Mathpickle.com who designs mathematical puzzles for K-12 classrooms.  Stick with us and you’ll learn How to use puzzles to teach grade level standards, how to challenge students who tend to move through problems faster than others, and why games are important for mathematical thinking.   You’ll Learn:  How to challenge students who complete “the work” early. How to use puzzles to teach gra ..read more

It can feel frustrating and overwhelming and you’ll feel like you’re forced to “go back to the drawing board” when your curriculum resource is pulled away from you.  What do we consider when trying to select a new curriculum resource? Are we supposed to create our own resources from scratch?  As educators, we are constantly facing the challenge of adapting our teaching methods to improve student understanding and engagement.  This often involves exploring new pedagogies, such as problem-based learning, and selecting the right curriculum resources that align with our teaching goa ..read more

Each and every year, district and school mathematics leadership teams spend countless hours crafting lofty goals and monitoring plans, but struggle to state measurable improvement in effective teacher practice and student gains.  If you’ve ever wondered:  How can I create a pd action plan that teachers view as useful and not “just adding to their plates”? We feel like we have many of the necessary pieces, but we aren’t clear on how to put them together to form an effective math program. How can I structure my PD so that I reach more teachers on a limited budget? How can I get my edu ..read more

When you shift your teaching practices from “I do, we do, you” to a problem based approach that engages students to think first you will often be led to question how you give feedback to students.  In this episode we speak with Diane Hamilton, an elementary classroom teacher from Toronto Ontario.  Diane has been implementing the 14 strategies from Peter Liljedahl’s book Building Thinking Classrooms and is here to dig into how to give effective feedback to her students instead of grades.  Stick around and you’ll:  Discover innovative self-assessment techniques that empower s ..read more

Ever wondered how to transform math class into every student's favorite subject? Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of #MathPlay with Libo Valencia, a passionate high school math teacher from New York and author who believes in shaping the future of mathematics through engaging and playful teaching strategies. Explore the transformative power of Math Play with Libo Valencia, where we unravel how this approach can instill a lasting love for mathematics in every student. Discover why math class should be a highlight for everyone, and learn practical ways to infuse elements of Math ..read more

Have you ever wondered how to ensure your teaching actions align seamlessly with your educational philosophies? How close is your practice with your preach?  In this episode we speak with Felicia Favela, a veteran 8th grade pre-algebra teacher from Phoenix Arizona who knows that in the realm of education, consistency between what we say and what we do is pivotal but still wonders how closely she’s aligned.  Stick around and you’ll hear us uncover the root cause of why Felicia feels that she’s not aligned with her philosophies, how to identify when students are primed to progress to n ..read more

Are you struggling to turn your ambitious math educational goals into tangible results in your classroom or district? Have you been asking: Where should I focus the efforts of my district math pd plan for the remainder of this year and following years? This episode of "Making Math Moments That Matter" is crucial for educators and district leaders of mathematics who are seeking practical strategies to elevate the impact of their teaching and planning. By focusing on goal setting and planning in mathematics education, it addresses the common challenge of aligning educational objectives with meas ..read more

Explore the often unspoken struggles that even seasoned math teachers encounter when grappling with concepts in middle and high school grades. Gain insights into the power of anecdotal assessments for both understanding students and refining your own assessment practices. Discover practical approaches to implementing standards-based grading without getting lost in individual grades, and unravel the true purpose behind assigning grades. In this Mentoring Moment episode we bring back Nicholas Rhodes to continue exploring his pebbles in Standards Based Grading.  This is another Math Mentorin ..read more

As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures.  While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand.  Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins.  Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and Kyle Pearce from the opening session of the 2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit a ..read more

Curious about the transformative power of leadership in mathematics education? Ever felt the challenge of aligning your strategic plan when it seems like you're constantly putting out fires? Join us in this episode where we unravel the critical importance of seeking support in leadership roles and dive into a conversation with Rob Baier, Executive Director of Mathematics and STEM at Pittsburgh Public Schools. If you're an educator navigating the complexities of coaching, consulting, or directing, this episode is your guide. Rob Baier, co-host of the Debate Math Podcast, shares insights on stay ..read more