Dr. Anna Stokke and guest Dr. Zach Groshell answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode. They cover strategies for managing varying levels of math proficiency in the classroom, critique the Building Thinking Classrooms approach, and discuss whether number talks should be prioritized for developing math fact fluency. This discussion provides practical insights and critiques on current educational practices to help teachers improve math instruction.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Listener Question: Differentiating Direct Instruction

05:52 Zach's advice on differentiation

10:10 Listener Question: Building Thinking Classrooms

11:20 Are multiple access points effective?

15:14 Critique of Building Thinking Classrooms

19:03 Does research support using BTC?

20:53 Is everyone doing it wrong?

22:17 Observing BTC in action

23:46 Defining thinking and why mimicking is important

27:30 Permanent vs. non-permanent learning surfaces

29:04 The practicality of mini whiteboards

31:34 Advice from Anna & Zach on whether to use BTC

36:20 Listener question: Number talks and math fact fluency

37:53 Critique of number talks

40:09 Using effective methods for building math fact automaticity

42:19 Advice on mental math strategies

44:18 Using instructional time efficiently

46:21 Conclusion and book description

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 10 Maximizing learning through explicit instruction with Zach Groshell https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-px8h6-1443528

Ep 36 How to build automaticity with math facts: A practical guide https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3ny3k-17323a9

Ep 2 Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-zgw6i-13b33df Ep 3 The Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bksbz-13c732d

Ep 23 Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cp5xt-156072c Ep 29 Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773 Ep 30 Math Fluency matters with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e

Ep 41 Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ciqgm-17def6b

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-44-transcript

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Jamie Metsala, one of two content area experts on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read public inquiry. Jamie shares her expertise on the importance of strong early instruction in foundational reading skills, the pitfalls of balanced literacy, and the urgent need for evidence-based practices in education. They explore the role of parent advocacy and the far-reaching implications of the Right to Read report, not just for Ontario, but for education systems across Canada and beyond.

Jamie explains why universal screening matters, how structured literacy benefits all readers, and what effective intervention looks like. They also discuss the importance of teacher preparation programs and ongoing professional development to equip educators with the tools they need to teach reading successfully.

With many provinces and states still relying on ineffective reading instruction, systemic change is critical. Jamie offers valuable advice for advocates, making this conversation essential listening for educators, parents, and anyone advocating for evidence-based education reform.

researchED Toronto 2025: https://researched.org.uk/event/researched-toronto-2025/

NOTE: The resource page contains links to reports, articles, and websites mentioned in the episode: annastokke.com/ep-43-resources

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Introduction [00:04:06] The Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read inquiry [00:06:40] Reading achievement in Ontario and other provinces [00:13:19] The impact of balanced literacy and its flawed assumptions [00:19:21] What science says about teaching foundational reading skills [00:29:15] Universal screening and early interventions [00:32:30] Problems with Reading Recovery [00:36:32] How Canadian provinces are responding to the Right to Read inquiry [00:41:10] Teacher preparation and the resistance to change [00:50:25] Challenges in implementing evidence-based literacy instruction [00:52:06] Debunking myths: Do all students learn differently? [00:54:20] Structured literacy and the importance of fluency [01:00:43] Consequences of poor reading instruction [01:06:50] Advice for advocates [01:12:47] Final thoughts: The future of reading and math education

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 20 Reading and math: Parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8aj3f-1508af6

Ep 27 Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jc9mq-161ecac

Ep 29 Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-43-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-43-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Proliferate, Balti, Momentary Ease Podington Bear – Camp, Kitten, Squirrel Commotion

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Alex Smith, Director of Curriculum, and Justin Skycak, Director of Analytics, from Math Academy. Math Academy is an AI-powered online learning platform designed around science of learning principles. They discuss Bloom's 2 sigma problem and explore how Math Academy aims to address it. They also explain how the platform leverages knowledge graphs to support mastery learning and highlight key instructional strategies such as worked examples, spaced practice, and the testing effect.

They explore how Math Academy manages cognitive load to optimize learning as well as its success with adult learners and advanced students. They also discuss the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach in math instruction. To wrap up, Justin and Alex share exciting updates and future plans for Math Academy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in math education.

NOTE: The resource page contains resources and research articles mentioned in the episode: annastokke.com/ep-42-resources

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

04:41 Bloom's 2 sigma problem

10:11 Mastery learning

13:17 Math knowledge graph

21:03 Importance of prerequisite skills

26:42 Worked examples

33:11 Concrete-pictorial-abstract discussion

40:56 Incorporating spaced practice

47:47 Leveraging the testing effect

52:14 Independent learning and incentives

55:51 Math Academy for adult learners

01:01:49 Accelerating advanced students

01:09:57 The future of Math Academy

01:13:26 Final thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 32. Identifying and educating advanced students with Jonathan Plucker https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y6cxs-16ad6f1

Ep 15. Modern relevance in the math curriculum with Brian Conrad https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gek66-148967a

Ep 7. How to excel in math and other tough subjects with Barbara Oakley https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bqs8p-14068f2

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-42-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-42-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Balti, Betty Dear, Willow Willow, Partly Sage Podington Bear – Camp, Kitten

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social