Episodes

  • 139: Why Every Classroom Needs Productive Struggle in Math
    Mar 31 2025

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    Imagine a student looking at you, frustrated, saying, 'I don’t get it.' It’s tempting to step in and rescue them, right?

    Today, we’re talking about productive struggle—why it’s a game-changer for math classrooms and how to make it happen without letting kids flounder.

    We are chatting about:

    • What productive struggle is
    • Why it's important to let students struggle in the math classroom
    • How to foster productive struggle

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • 📘 Principles to Actions

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

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    15 mins
  • 138: Break Free from Script Planning a Math Lesson
    Mar 24 2025

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    Welcome back to Math Chat! Today’s episode is all about how we can break free from the script and let our students lead.

    Today’s episode is going to require a shift in teacher mindset. So, if you are like me and a bit of a control freak, Type A if you will… then I’m talking to you. Letting go of control can actually help students learn more in math. I know it’s hard, but it is essential to day’s big idea.

    We are chatting about:

    • What student-centered learning in math is
    • Why this approach to teaching math works
    • How to do this and do it well

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • 📘 Connecting the NCTM Process Standards and the CCSSM Practices
    • Word Problem Workshop


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • 137: Serving Up Problem Solving: A Slice of Math Joy
    Mar 14 2025

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    If you've ever seen the spark in a student's eyes when they really get the joy of solving a tough problem, you know what I mean when I say math can be joyful. It’s all about creating the right environment.

    Today, Pi day, we're serving up a slice of math joy by diving into how we can make problem-solving the most joyful part of our math classrooms.

    We are chatting about:

    • What makes problem solving joyful
    • Why use problem solving in math class
    • How can we create joyful problem-solving in our classrooms

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • 📘 Principles to Actions
    • Word Problem Workshop
    • When Sophie Thinks She Can't...


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • 136: You're not the only expert in the room (My NCTM session in podcast form!)
    Oct 28 2024

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    How do we create classroom communities that includes and values each member's expertise? In this episode, I'm sharing my NCTM session with you on empowering learners through math discourse.

    We're chatting about:

    • How to partner with our students in math discussions to leverage each student's insights
    • Strategies for teachers to use to build a strong math culture that supports mathematical discourse
    • 3 student stories and examples of strategies I used to empower them to engage in math discussions


    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • Word Problem Workshop
    • Cultivating Mathematical Hearts by Maria del Rosario Zavala, Julia Maria Aguirre
    • A quote from an article titled “Student Representations at the Center: Promoting Classroom Equity” by Imm, Stylianou, and Chae 2008
    • Choosing to See By Pamela Seda & Kyndall Brown
    • My example video with Nairobi
    • Guide to Engaging Math Discussions


    While take a break from the podcast to write my book, enjoy these episodes:

    • Episode 85 with John SanGiovanni
    • Episodes 93 & 96 with Peter Liljedahl
    • Episode 73 Best First Week Activities (you can do these anytime)
    • Episode 107 Math Discussions: 3 Ways to Get Students Engaged
    • Episode 102: Talk less so students will talk more
    • Episode 97: 6 Ways to Love Teaching Math
    • Episode 82: Say This to Parents to Explain “New Math”
    • Episode 2: What is Student Centered Math (A look inside my classroom)


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath


    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • 135: How to get students to SHOW their reasoning
    Oct 21 2024

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    How do we get students to show their reasoning in our math classroom community? On today's episode, I'm sharing about a simple way to build community & student confidence with a simple lesson plan straight from my favorite research based instructional practice... Word Problem Workshop!

    We are chatting about:

    • What is a math community & why it matters
    • The elements of the lesson plan
    • How each element builds an essential skill for our students' Social Emotional Development!

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    • 🆓 Guide to Engaging Math Discussion
    • Word Problem Workshop
    • 110: Building Thinking Classroom with Maegan Giroux


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    18 mins
  • 134: Are your students thinking? How do you know?
    Oct 14 2024

    Send us a text

    Are your students thinking deeply about math concepts? Today we are talking about having research-based instructional strategies for math to create student-centered classrooms.

    We are chatting about:

    • Why research based instruction matters
    • The research Word Problem Workshop is based on
    • How you can have peace of mind knowing that the strategies and routines you are using in your classroom are based on research

    You might also like:

    • 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
    • Children’s Mathematics Cognitively Guided Instruction
    • 124: Word Problem Workshop - What is it & Why you need it this school year

    Leave a review!!

    If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • 133: 3 Reasons Why Math Intervention Programs Don't Work, with Juliana Tapper
    Oct 7 2024

    Send us a text

    What math intervention curriculums actually work? This is one of the questions I get asked the most and today I'm excited to chat about all things math interventions with my friend, Juliana!

    We're chatting about:

    • Having high expectations of our students
    • The important piece math intervention curriculums miss
    • Just in time approaches to math interventions

    Other links:

    • 8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
    • 90: Math Trauma and What to Do About It
    • 49: 3 Expectations & "Just in Time Supports" in Math


    Connect with Juliana:

    • @collaborated.with.juliana on Instagram
    • www.collaboratedwithjuliana.com
    • Juliana's book: Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • 132: Math Grades: What should I grade?
    Sep 30 2024

    Send us a text

    Do math grades stress you out? If you are needing to get some grades in the grade book for progress reports, this episode will help you figure out what to grade, when to grade, and how to grade in math.

    In this episode, we are chatting about:

    • Separating student behaviors and their academic achievement for math grades
    • Formative assessments for math grades
    • Unit tests or summative assessments for math grades


    You might also like:

    • 128: What are the 5 Strands of Math Proficiency?
    • 101: Math Problem Types & Why They Matter
    • Guide to Engaging Math Discussions


    Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

    Leave a review!!

    If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.




    📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

    Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

    You don't have to wait for the book...

    Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

    I'll show you how to...

    • engage every student in daily problem solving
    • utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
    • confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

    Join today right HERE!

    Show more Show less
    13 mins