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Making Math Moments That Matter

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Oct 14, 2024 • 29min

How to Teach Division That Leads To Algebra: Why Knowing These Two Types of Division Are Essential

Why is division such a challenging concept for students to grasp, despite it being a fundamental part of elementary math?Many teachers struggle to teach division in a way that truly sticks, often leading students to view it as confusing or disconnected from other math concepts. But imagine a classroom where students confidently approach division and see its connection to fractions, proportional reasoning, and algebraic thinking.In this episode, you’ll uncover two types of division by using friendly numbers and contexts, unlocking connections to other areas of math. You'll also gain insight into how understanding these two types of division can pave the way for stronger math reasoning skills. Plus, you'll explore practical strategies for engaging students in hands-on division tasks that enhance their conceptual understanding.Play this episode now and discover how knowing these two types will help transform division lessons into powerful, connection-building opportunities for your students.Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: K-12 Math Coordinators, Coaches, Directors and Math Leaders. Get Professional Development Support from Make Math MomentsLearn how you can create, coordinate, and implement an aligned school and district math action plan for improved student success. So that you can create long term sustainable student success in mathematics and proficiently & pedagogically strong educators.Book a call with us to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.
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Oct 10, 2024 • 9min

The Most Important Math PD component You’re Not Doing! | Mathematics Coaching and Training Series

What if your next professional development session could transform not just how educators teach math but how they conceptually understand it?As educators, one of the biggest challenges we face is balancing the need to deepen our own mathematical understanding while effectively teaching students at various levels. This episode tackles how engaging in well-chosen math tasks during professional development can help strengthen educators’  conceptual understanding of mathematics, while also modeling strong facilitation techniques educators can bring back to your classroom.You'll discover how choosing the right math tasks for PD sessions can promote reasoning and problem-solving, boosting both your educators own proficiency and teaching practice.Learn how productive struggle with adults, when applied thoughtfully, can foster growth for teachers and translate into better learning outcomes for students.Explore strategies to facilitate rich mathematical discussions that encourage collaboration and multiple approaches to problem-solving, elevating your professional development experience.Ready to boost the mathematical understanding of the educators you support and take your teaching to the next level? Listen to this episode and start transforming your PD sessions today!Show Notes Page. K-12 Math Coordinators, Coaches, Directors and Math Leaders. Get Professional Development Support from Make Math MomentsLearn how you can create, coordinate, and implement an aligned school and district math action plan for improved student success. So that you can create long term sustainable student success in mathematics and proficiently & pedagogically strong educators.Book a call with us to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.
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Oct 7, 2024 • 30min

Understanding Multiplication with Whole Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals - An Interview with Brittany Hege

Are you struggling to help your students truly understand multiplication, beyond just memorizing math facts?In this episode Brittany Hege from Mix and Math is here to share insights into how you can strengthen students’ multiplication skills. This episode dives deep into practical strategies for teaching multiplication in grades 3-6 using models that connect concrete and abstract thinking. Brittany will share the details of her upcoming Make Math Moments Summit session on multiplication. Whether you're dealing with students' struggles or aiming to strengthen your own approach, this discussion offers insights into creating "light bulb moments" in math.Learn how to use the area model effectively to help students visualize and understand multiplication concepts.Discover strategies that connect procedural knowledge with conceptual understanding to foster deeper learning.Gain insights into how multiplication forms the foundation for higher-level math and how to teach it across grade levels.Tune in now to get a sneak peek into Brittany’s upcoming virtual summit and transform your multiplication lessons!Resources For Buzzsprout Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge? What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support? Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. Book a short conversation with our team now. 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.
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Oct 3, 2024 • 11min

How This Math Leader Stopped Firefighting and Started Leading | Mathematics Coaching and Training Series

Ever feel like your role as a math coordinator is more about putting out fires than making real instructional progress?In this episode, we dive into the struggles many coordinators face when urgent distractions pull them away from their goals—helping you regain control of your time and refocus on what matters: building teacher capacity and improving student outcomes in math.Discover how to protect your time for instructional leadership, even when distractions are constant.Learn practical strategies for supporting teachers in productive math struggle, without getting derailed by daily crises.Hear how one math coordinator transformed their approach and achieved lasting change in their district.Tune in now to learn how you can stop firefighting and start making a real impact on your school’s math instruction!Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: K-12 Math Coordinators, Coaches, Directors and Math Leaders. Get Professional Development Support from Make Math MomentsLearn how you can create, coordinate, and implement an aligned school and district math action plan for improved student success. So that you can create long term sustainable student success in mathematics and proficiently & pedagogically strong educators.Book a call with us to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.
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Sep 30, 2024 • 34min

Making Math Make Sense for Kids - An Interview with James O’Neal from Mastery For All

In this episode, Jon and Kyle dive deep into a conversation with James O’Neal, founder of Mastery for All, exploring the impact of prioritizing conceptual understanding in math education. James O'Neal, Jr. is a National Board-Certified middle school math teacher with 15 years of experience, currently teaching at Piedmont IB Middle School in Charlotte, NC. He holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from UNC-Charlotte and was a 2022 finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Founder of Mastery For All, LLC, James advocates for high expectations and equitable outcomes in education through public speaking nationwide.James is here to share some insight on his upcoming session in the 2024 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit. They share personal stories and insights on how a focus on student outcomes can transform teaching practices and improve learning experiences.You’ll learn:Discover how emphasizing conceptual understanding over memorization can change students' attitudes towards math.Learn practical strategies to help educators shift their teaching approaches to better meet the needs of all learners.Learn to practice the mantra: “If you can make sense of it, then you can help students make sense of it”.Tune in to this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast to revolutionize your approach to teaching math and better align your priorities with your educational goals.Resources Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge? What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support? Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. Book a short conversation with our team now. 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.
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Sep 26, 2024 • 10min

How to Stop Negativity from Derailing Math PD Sessions | Mathematics Coaching and Training Series

Have you ever noticed how negativity can take over a mathematics coaching and training session, turning a productive opportunity into a venting session?When challenges dominate, progress gets sidelined, and it’s easy for our hard working teachers to disengage. But with the right approach, you can transform the tone of the session and foster meaningful learning and collaboration.Listen in and learn that by starting with a focus on wins and successes, you can energize your participants and create a space for positivity. Real-life success stories inspire action and help hesitant teachers take that first step toward improvement. Imagine your next mathematics coaching and training session buzzing with productive conversation and motivation.Use these simple prompts to kickstart your next mathematics coaching and training session with positivity: “What has been successful for you recently?” or “Share a celebration from using a new tool.” Try this approach in your next PD session to see the shift in energy and engagement.Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: K-12 Math Coordinators, Coaches, Directors and Math Leaders. Get Professional Development Support from Make Math MomentsLearn how you can create, coordinate, and implement an aligned school and district math action plan for improved student success. So that you can create long term sustainable student success in mathematics and proficiently & pedagogically strong educators.Book a call with us to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.
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Sep 23, 2024 • 43min

Coaching The 5 Practices For Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions - An Interview with Peg Smith

Are you curious about how to overcome the most common challenges in implementing student-centered teaching practices in math and to unpack the 5 Practices For Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions?In this episode, Kyle Pearce, Yvette Lehman and Peg Smith, co-author of the new book Coaching The 5 Practices from Corwin dive into practical strategies for making math classrooms more effective and engaging. Whether you're a teacher or a coach, this discussion on the 5 practices for orchestrating productive mathematical discussions and new coaching models will help you address real challenges and create a more student-centered learning environment.Learn how setting clear learning goals can transform your teaching approach and student outcomes.Discover a new coaching model that helps teachers tackle classroom challenges through collaboration and reflection.Gain insights into a student-centered approach that encourages productive struggle and deepens mathematical understanding.Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your teaching—listen to the episode now and pre-order Peg Smith’s new book to start implementing these strategies in your classroom!Resources Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge? What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support? Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. Book a short conversation with our team now. 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.
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Sep 19, 2024 • 13min

Fix Your PD Sessions: Swap Confusion for Clarity | Mathematics Coaching and Training Series

Have you ever been in a PD session where the goals were unclear, and the entire experience felt scattered? It’s a common issue that leaves participants frustrated and disengaged.Clarity is the key to transforming professional development sessions into impactful learning experiences. Research by John Hattie shows that teacher clarity significantly affects learning outcomes, and the same principle applies to PD. When facilitators clearly articulate their objectives, participants are more engaged and able to apply what they learn.Imagine facilitating a PD session where participants know exactly what they will walk away with, how it will solve their real classroom challenges, and why it matters. By using clear goals, transparent communication, and framing content around participants' needs, you can create sessions that inspire lasting, meaningful change.Ready to fix your PD sessions? Listen in. Start by outlining clear objectives, connecting them to participants' needs, and guiding them through the process with transparency and purpose. Swap confusion for clarity, and watch your PD sessions transform into powerful learning experiences.Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: K-12 Math Coordinators, Coaches, Directors and Math Leaders. Get Professional Development Support from Make Math MomentsLearn how you can create, coordinate, and implement an aligned school and district math action plan for improved student success. So that you can create long term sustainable student success in mathematics and proficiently & pedagogically strong educators.Book a call with us to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.
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Sep 16, 2024 • 48min

Consistency On Problem Solving Pays Off For A Math Team in Pennsylvania - A Math Mentoring Moment

Ever wondered how consistency and patience in teaching methods can drastically improve student & teacher performance in math?This episode dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of designing and sticking with consistent math action plans that support teachers with effective math teaching strategies. Whether you're a teacher aiming to boost your students' math scores or a math coordinator, coach, or administrator seeking sustainable change, this conversation provides actionable insights that align with your goals.Discover how a focus on problem-first teaching led to a remarkable increase in student test scores.Learn strategies for developing teachers' conceptual understanding across grade levels, crucial for long-term success.Gain insights into balancing individual and group learning in the classroom using innovative approaches like non-permanent surfaces.Don’t miss out on these game-changing strategies—listen to the episode now and start transforming your math teaching approach today!Resources Show Notes Page. District Math Leaders: How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge? What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support? Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. Book a short conversation with our team now. 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.
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Sep 9, 2024 • 39min

Who Are The Translators In The Language of Mathematics? An Interview with Sunil Singh

Are you ready to transform your math classroom into a space where students see the beauty and relevance of mathematics in their everyday lives?In this episode, we speak with long time friend of the show Sunil Singh who is here to give you a snapshot of his upcoming Make Math Moments Summit session around the Language of Mathematics. Sunil is an author, educator, and advocate for the teaching and learning of the beauty of mathematics! Stick with us and you’ll hear how viewing mathematics as a language to be fluently learned can revolutionize your teaching. You’ll uncover why contemporary mathematics has been excluded from K-12 math classrooms; how teachers are acting as translators in the language of mathematics and how we can help students become more fluent; and how we can create a community of scavengers in a world of mathematics. You’ll learn:Discover strategies to create "math epiphanies" that foster lifelong curiosity and excitement about mathematics in your students. Learn about the concept of contemporary fluency in mathematics, which goes beyond procedural knowledge to include conceptual understanding and current developments in the field. This holistic approach can help you stay updated and make your teaching more relevant.Find out how to address the challenges of making higher-level mathematics accessible. Through practical examples and storytelling, Sunil Singh illustrates how to make complex mathematical ideas more approachable and engaging, even for students who might find math intimidating.Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your math teaching approach—listen to this episode now and start inspiring a new generation of mathematically curious and engaged students!Resources: Sunil Singh on Twitter (X)District Math Leaders: How are you ensuring that you support those educators who need a nudge to spark a focus on growing their pedagogical-content knowledge? What about opportunities for those who are eager and willing to elevate their practice, but do not have the support? Book a call with our District Improvement Program Team to learn how we can not only help you craft, refine and implement your district math learning goals, but also provide all of the professional learning supports your educators need to grow at the speed of their learning. 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.

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