DebateMath Podcast

Chris Luzniak & Rob Baier
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Aug 26, 2025 • 7min

Mini DebateMath Lesson #3

Send us a textThis is the third of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we extend the routine from the previous episodes to really encourage listening. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Aug 20, 2025 • 6min

Mini DebateMath Lesson #2

Send us a textThis is the second of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. Tune in to this very brief example, where guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a more mathy example!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Aug 14, 2025 • 5min

Mini DebateMath Lesson #1

Send us a textThis is the first of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. Tune in to this very brief debate on pizza, where guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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8 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 32min

Hot Seat #9 - Memorize or From Memory?

Graham Fletcher, a math specialist from Atlanta and co-author of Building Fact Fluency, dives into the heated debate of memorization versus understanding in math education. He shares his personal journey of struggling with math to becoming an inspiring educator. The discussion emphasizes the importance of meaningful learning and problem-solving strategies over rote memorization. Graham advocates for engaging methods that foster true fluency, encouraging educators to innovate and make math more enjoyable for students.
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Jul 24, 2025 • 29min

Hot Seat #8 - Is Math a Gatekeeper?

Send us a textMathematics has often been considered a gateway to opportunity—but some people argue that, too often, it acts instead as a gatekeeper. But why is that? Is it really a barrier for our students’ future successes? And how much of a problem is this? In this episode, we dive deep into this discussion with Pamela Burdman from Just Equations. She will debate our Hot Seat resolution: Math is a GatekeeperYou can follow Just Equations on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram.You can read more on the Just Equations website (justequations.org).Pam mentioned the movie Counted Out (countedoutfilm.com).Read more about the Just Equations report on Math and College AdmissionsExplore Pam’s blog on rigor Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Jul 15, 2025 • 31min

Hot Seat #7 - Intentional Sequencing?

Send us a textDo you ever find yourself happy with the lessons you are creating, only to have students forget everything a month later? Perhaps we need to slow down more? Or spiral? It’s the constant question in our teacher minds: How do we help students really learn this stuff? As our guest today will argue: We Need to Be Mindful in the Way We Sequence Learning Math!Follow Dan on BlueSky: @danielk.bsky.social‬Or on Twitter: @KauDan721You can see Dan’s website at: scmath.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Jun 30, 2025 • 24min

Hot Seat #6 - Teach Listening?

Send us a textDiscourse routines are a big part of many classrooms (and debates). However, what role does listening play and is there a way to teach it? Our “Hot Seat” guest today is here arguing for the statement: Schools Should Teach Listening SkillsYou can find out more about The Listening Path. You can contact Christine Miles on her website. And check out her book: What is It Costing You Not to Listen? Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Jun 12, 2025 • 41min

Hot Seat #5 - Math Identity?

Send us a textIt’s time for another round of Summer Hot Seats!You may have heard talk about math anxiety and helping students to build confidence in math skills. But our guests today want to focus on the idea of math identity. What is it? And how do we foster it? So for this Hot Seat debate, we have two educators here to share why they think:Teachers MUST cultivate a positive math identity.Brian mentioned the book: The Impact of Identity in K-8 MathematicsYou can find Rolanda Baldwin on LinkedIn, as well as on X: @RoKnowsMath Follow Brian Dean on LinkedIn.Find out more about Unbound Ed: unbounded.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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May 15, 2025 • 1h 5min

Debate 39 - Should We Teach a Curriculum with Fidelity?

Send us a textLet’s talk about curriculum resources! Whether you are using a textbook that you chose or your district chose for you, many of you have been asked to use the resource with fidelity. But what exactly is fidelity, and is it a problem to create our own lessons? How much should teachers be expected to use what is included in a curriculum resource? Well that sounds like a great question for debate! So we have a panel of 3 guests today to share their thoughts on the question:Should we teach a curriculum with fidelity? Follow Adrianne Burns on BlueSky: @aburnsy.bsky.socialFollow Phonisha Hawkins on BlueSky/X: @phonisha.bsky.social and on LinkedIn. Follow Bobson Wong on BlueSky/X/Instagram: @bobsonwong.com and on LinkedIn. Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
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Apr 17, 2025 • 47min

Debate 38 - Should We Compare the Teaching of Reading to the Teaching of Math?

Courtney Flessner, the Director of Keep Indiana Learning and host of the Math and Other Things podcast, joins her husband Ryan Flessner, a Professor of Education, for a lively debate on aligning reading and math teaching methods. They explore complexities in teaching math versus reading, discuss the importance of vocabulary, and critique the role of memorization versus conceptual understanding. The couple emphasizes the potential benefits of integrating both subjects for better student engagement, advocating for innovative educational practices.

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