Making Math Moments That Matter

In this episode we speak with veteran Grade 8 classroom teacher, author and current NCTM President, Kevin Dykema.Kevin spends time with us to unpack why productive struggle is a necessary part of an effective mathematics program, what we can do now to plan and implement lessons that place students in a productive struggle and how we might get key stakeholders convinced that learning in a math classroom that might look different than the one they remember can be a good thing for students.You’ll Learn: What can you do differently than teaching math just “slower and louder”;Why productive struggle is a necessary part of an effective mathematics program;What you can do now to plan and implement elements of productive struggle;How to ensure a lesson crafted to provide a productive struggle is delivered with productive struggle (instead of the teacher robbing the thinking of students);How to help families and key stakeholders get “on board” with teaching through productive struggle; and, What resources are great for modifying your lessons to allow for more productive struggle.Resources: Productive Math Struggle [Book]Openmiddle.com Sign Up for the FREE 2022 Virtual SummitDistrict Leaders: Share The Summit WIth Your Educators!Make Math Moments Share The Summit Giveaway [$4500 in Prizes to be won!]Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this first part of a two part series  Jon & Kyle discuss break down math PD pitfalls we should all avoid so that we can support, encourage, and build engaged educators who want to spark curiosity and fuel sense making in students. In this first part we’ll unpack how to avoid the Do As I Say Not As I Do PD sessions, how to avoid the PD Trap, and how to stop force feeding professional development. You’ll Learn: How to avoid the “Do As I Say, Not As I Do PD Sessions”Which PD traps to avoid.How to stop force feeding math professional development.Why math professional development one-offs won’t cut it.How to overcome a common math professional development paradox.Resources: The 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit [REGISTER NOW]District Leader/Mentor Summit Sharing Resources [DOWNLOADABLE GOODIES]Enter the $4500+ Share The Summit Giveaway [FREE GIVEAWAY]District Leader Resources:The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Are you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & UnitsLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Jim Strachan, author of 'Mentoring For All' and an expert in mentorship programs, shares his insights on effective mentoring techniques. He emphasizes the importance of congruence in building trust and introduces the concept of being a 'saucy' mentor. Jim discusses critical strategies like using a '3rd point' to connect with mentees and the transformative power of collaborative mentoring. Through personal storytelling, he illustrates how mentorship fosters independence and resilience in educators and students alike.

In this episode Jon & Kyle discuss whether calculators are good or bad for mathematics learning.Dig in with them as they chat about their past calculator #classroomfails and how they now position their mathematics lessons to more strategically consider when and where it might be helpful for students to leverage the use of a calculator.You’ll Learn: How I can optimize my learning intentionality so that my lesson does not hinge on calculator use; What to do if you think your math lesson will be “derailed” if students don’t have access to a calculator;What portion of my lesson is better than others to promote the use of a calculator; and,How to design your lessons so that strategies and models emerge to lessen student dependence on their calculator.Resources: Figuring Out Fluency - Jennifer Bay Williams [Book]The 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit [REGISTER NOW]District Leader/Mentor Summit Sharing Resources [DOWNLOADABLE GOODIES]Enter the $4500+ Share The Summit Giveaway [FREE GIVEAWAY]District Leader Resources:The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Are you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & UnitsLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this live taping of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast Jon & Kyle visit the 2022 Annual NCTM Conference in Los Angeles. The discuss how conferences can “fill your bucket” as well as hear key takeaways from conference attendees. Stick around and you’ll learn how you too can fill your bucket. You’ll Learn: Why conferences are so much more than just learning sessions; Why mimicking is a teaching technique we should avoid; How to leverage constraints vs. freedoms; How you can fill your own bucket when you can’t attend a conference; Resources: The 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit [REGISTER NOW]District Leader/Mentor Summit Sharing Resources [DOWNLOADABLE GOODIES]District Leader Resources:The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Are you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & UnitsLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Anna Clark, a second-year teacher, discusses the challenges of implementing standards-based grading in a district with rigid grading policies. The podcast explores strategies for blending assessment and evaluation in a traditional grading system, emphasizing student learning over grades. Topics include personalized tracking of learning goals, translating assessments into numerical grades, and effective communication with students and parents.

In this episode Jon & Kyle discuss the importance of building both math content knowledge and pedagogical-content knowledge when designing your own or your district professional development plans. Stick around and you’ll hear their stories of how they realized they needed to be effective at both content and pedagogy so they could survive and thrive in the classroom. You’ll also learn where you can go to build and improve your own pedagogical content knowledge.  You’ll Learn: The building blocks necessary to the development of effective mathematics educators;The Difference Between Math Content Knowledge and Pedagogical-Content Knowledge; Why having mathematics knowledge alone is not enough to be an effective mathematics educator; and,Where you can develop both your mathematics content and mathematics pedagogical knowledge.Resources: The 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit [REGISTER NOW]District Leader/Mentor Summit Sharing Resources [DOWNLOADABLE GOODIES]Research Paper Referenced:An, Shuhua, Gerald Kulm, and Zhonghe Wu. “The Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Middle School, Mathematics Teachers in China and the U.S.” Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education 7.2 (2004): 145–172. Web.District Leader Resources:The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Are you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Other Useful Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & UnitsLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

What do you envision for mathematics teaching and learning in your math class?While we all want teachers and students to feel capable and confident each day in our mathematics classrooms, we must take time to think and reflect on what specifically would contribute to helping us reach that goal.In this episode Jon & Kyle help you to craft a Magic Wand Wish List that you can use to help shape your vision for your mathematics classroom or your school/district program. You’ll Learn: Why constructing a math vision for your classroom is essential to maximize your impact on student learning in math class;How constructing a math vision for a department, school and/or district is critical for effective and consistent mathematics teaching practices;How to create your “Magic Wand Wish List” and “Math Practice Inventory” to begin the process of developing a math vision; and,Where you can go next to receive feedback, support and mentorship leading your district level  mathematics professional learning.Resources: The Make Math Moments District Planning Workbook [First 3 pages] Are you a district mathematics leader interested in crafting a mathematics professional learning plan that will transform your district mathematics program forever? Book a time to chat with us!Resources and Supports: Make Math Moments Framework [Blog Article]Make Math Moments Problem-Based Lessons & UnitsLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this episode we speak with TL Eller around developing assessment tools and routines to capture student understanding of their multiplication facts. TL is a 3rd / 4th grade educator from Grove City Pennsylvania who has been on a career-long journey to help her students develop fluency and flexibility around math facts. In this chat we help TL focus her next moves on developing some easy to implement ideas on how to capture evidence of her students' multiplication facts. This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through problems of practice and together we brainstorm possible next steps and strategies to overcome them. You’ll Learn: How listening to students can help us to reflect on “why” and “what” we do in the classroom;Why many students may feel that they have opponents in math class;What should proficiency for multiplication facts look like? What multiplication fact assessments can look like to promote growth; How we can develop an assessment tool to capture multiplication facts. How we can help students build fluency and flexibility around math facts. Resources: Make Math Moments TasksLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this episode we speak with professor, author, speaker Jennifer Bay-Williams. Dr. Bay-Williams is an internationally respected mathematics educator, a prolific author and popular speaker on topics related to effective mathematics teaching. Her most recent work has focused on fluency in mathematics, communicating that it is more than learning facts and algorithms, but is about being able to reason and choose appropriate strategies. In our episode we chat about how we can help students (and parents) build flexibility and efficiency around basic math facts. Stick around until the end and you’ll hear great tips on how you can easily build fluency into your classroom. You’ll Learn: How can we get students to basic math fact automaticity as quickly as possible?How can I put students in a decision making role?How we can get started with teaching students flexibility with basic facts.How we can help parents realize the difference between fluency and memorization.Resources: Episode 179 - What’s On YOUR Worksheet and How Are You Using it?Worksheets: Wretched or Wonderful? [Mini-Course]Five Fundamentals of Fact Fluency [Book]Elementary & Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally 11th edition [Book]. Math Fact Fluency [Book] Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.