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

The 2025 Ig Nobels, Part 2

Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Practical recipe guidance from fluid physics

The AI-powered Podcast Player