

Math on the Rocks
CMC Central
We are three mathematics educators who love to talk about math, math education, and the politics of math...often while drinking a beer. Our podcast is an attempt to invite more people into our conversations. For the video versions of our episodes, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 4, 2024 • 42min
Ep 18 - Dr Kyndall Brown on making math lessons culturally and personally relevant
In this episode we replay the webinar we recently hosted with the remarkable Dr Kyndall Brown. Kyndall is currently the executive director of the California Mathematics Project. In addition to presenting at local, state, and national conferences on mathematics education, Kyndall also writes articles for mathematics education publications. His research focuses on the impact of culture and identity on the ways that African-American males learn mathematics. He is the co-author of the book Choosing To See: A Framework For Equity In The Math Classroom.
RESOURCES…
Register for CMC South Conference in Palm Springs, November 7-9, 2024: https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-south-conference
Register for CMC North Conference in Asilomar, December 6-8, 2024: https://www.cmcmath.org/asilomar
Register for CMC Central Symposium in Bakersfield, March 7-8, 2025: https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-central-symposium
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmcmath.org/
SUBSCRIBE!
YouTube (video & audio): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Spotify (video & audio): https://open.spotify.com/show/7A17FvtyV8FiFJ0SWoTiQm?si=44d81611497e4c7a
Apple Podcast (audio only): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/math-on-the-rocks/id1728772089

Oct 17, 2024 • 21min
Ep 17 - Working with the skeptic next door
Duane and Cole talk about how to work with the teacher next door to you who might be very skeptical of the kind of teaching CMC, NCTM, and the California Mathematics Framework would like to see in the classroom.
RESOURCES…
Register for CMC South Conference in Palm Springs, November 7-9, 2024: https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-south-conference
Register for CMC North Conference in Asilomar, December 6-8, 2024: https://www.cmcmath.org/asilomar
Register for CMC Central Symposium in Bakersfield, March 7-8, 2025: https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-central-symposium
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmcmath.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmcmath.org/
SUBSCRIBE!
YouTube (video & audio): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Spotify (video & audio): https://open.spotify.com/show/7A17FvtyV8FiFJ0SWoTiQm?si=44d81611497e4c7a
Apple Podcast (audio only): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/math-on-the-rocks/id1728772089

Oct 14, 2024 • 16min
Ep 16 - MotR is going on the road
The boys from Math on the Rocks is going on the road! We will be recording SEVEN live podcast episodes at the CMC-South Conference in Palm Springs, November 8 & 9, 2024. In this episode we play with our new recording equipment by talking about NIM and the keynote Duane delivered at the Kern County Math Council Fall Conference.
RESOURCES…
Here are the slides from Duane's keynote presentation:
https://bit.ly/KCMCproductive
A variety of versions of NIM:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NWvpIhhlSYpWC7aOZipbUTgJejg6Q_HkrSoU1yhKZaQ/edit?usp=sharing
Videos showing some different types of NIM games:
https://theothermath.com/?s=NIM
Kern County Math Council
https://www.kerncmc.org/
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/
SUBSCRIBE!
YouTube (video & audio): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Spotify (video & audio): https://open.spotify.com/show/7A17FvtyV8FiFJ0SWoTiQm?si=44d81611497e4c7a
Apple Podcast (audio only): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/math-on-the-rocks/id1728772089

Oct 9, 2024 • 55min
Ep 15 - Brandon brings the JOY
In this episode we replay the webinar we recently hosted with the effervescent Brandon Smith. Brandon is the Director of Mathematics Innovation and Lead Mathematician at MIND Education and he comes sharing his thoughts about how to unlock the loy in math class.
RESOURCES…
MIND Research Institute:
https://www.mindresearch.org/
MathMINDS games:
https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/
SUBSCRIBE!
YouTube (video & audio): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Spotify (video & audio): https://open.spotify.com/show/7A17FvtyV8FiFJ0SWoTiQm?si=44d81611497e4c7a
Apple Podcast (audio only): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/math-on-the-rocks/id1728772089

Sep 16, 2024 • 32min
Ep 14 - Big ideas in every lesson
In this episode Cole pulls his car over to record the episode near a random vineyard. Scott shows up…late, but better late than NEVER. Duane is just in his office. We talk about how to incorporate big ideas into your math lessons.
RESOURCES…
Duane's video on YouTube about sorting and comparing decimals:
https://youtu.be/qiQW-wlpHC0?si=xPrAbtLbXJm5vQlG
5 Components of Equitable and Engaging Teaching for All Students
Chapter 2, 2023 CA Math Framework: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/
SUBSCRIBE!
YouTube (video & audio):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvolZqLMhJmlKZXVW-HMWHmGsXXaeH09f
Spotify (video & audio):
https://open.spotify.com/show/7A17FvtyV8FiFJ0SWoTiQm?si=44d81611497e4c7a
Apple Podcast (audio only):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/math-on-the-rocks/id1728772089

Aug 26, 2024 • 34min
Ep 13 - The band gets together and talks about Big Ideas
In this episode we get the band back together. We enjoyed our summer break, but school is back in session and we've got our game faces on again. Cole is wondering what the heck Big ideas are and how they may or may not conflict with some of the basic tenets of PLC work. We dig into that topic and would love for YOU ALL to chime in with your thoughts!
RESOURCES…
5 Components of Equitable and Engaging Teaching for All Students
Chapter 2, 2023 CA Math Framework: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/
Count, Play, Explore:
https://www.countplayexplore.org/
We mention Jon Dueck in this episode. Count, Play, Explore is Jon's baby. Check it out!
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/

Aug 19, 2024 • 58min
Ep 12 - Annie has us Making sense of Sense-Making
In this episode Annie Fetter shares how to place Sense-Making at the core of your classroom instruction. Why should you care about what Annie has to say? Annie is one of the folks involved in crafting the Notice and Wonder routine which has weaved its way into the very DNA of American classrooms…of all subjects…not just math. Placing sense-making at the core of task might begin with something as simple as allowing students the opportunity to notice and wonder PRIOR to them working on the task. Annie shares a ton of OTHER simple teacher moves to increase that sense-making that occurs in your classroom..
RESOURCES…
Annie's slides:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dbyOsvs3O7NfdToInSt1DSKXdnxP0y2q/view?usp=drive_link
One of Annie's blog posts about Notice and Wonder:
https://annie.mathematicalthinking.org/index.php/2013/10/16/can-novices-do-i-notice-i-wonder-you-betcha/
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/

Jul 22, 2024 • 55min
Ep 11 - Albert talks about the 5 components of instructional design
Cole hosted the latest Inspiring Math Minds webinar because Duane was off galavanting with this family. Albert Vilalta shares some simple, but profound, tasks that bring to life the 5 components of instructional design that encourage equitable outcomes and active student engagement. (This is straight from Chapter 2 of the 2023 CA Math Framework.)
RESOURCES…
California Mathematics Framework (2023):
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/
Teaching Through Problem-Solving
https://lessonresearch.net/teaching-problem-solving/overview/
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
As always, we hope you visit the California Math Council website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/

Jun 10, 2024 • 34min
Ep 10 - We are right. They are wrong.
Cole finishes his Ed.D. Scott shows up late. We talk about timed activities. We debrief the brilliance of Ed Campos and look forward to visiting with Jo Boaler. Finally we talk about how students LOVE when teachers use a problem-solving approach to instruction, but teachers don't feel equipped to teach in that way.
RESOURCES shared in this episode…
Cole's article he wrote with Jo Boaler:
https://edsource.org/2024/to-teach-math-effectively-california-must-focus-on-deep-conceptual-learning/712302
ARTICLE: Young Students Gravitate to Math. How Teachers Can Build on That Curiosity
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/young-students-gravitate-to-math-how-teachers-can-build-on-that-curiosity/2024/05
Jo Boaler will be joining us on June 20, 2024. Register here for the LIVE webinar:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series
What Works Clearinghouse:
Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/PracticeGuide/26
Duane's blog post about his view of timed activities:
https://theothermath.com/index.php/2024/04/26/timed-math-activities-walking-or-sprinting/
Principles to Actions
https://www.nctm.org/PtA/
NCTM Taking Action Series
https://www.nctm.org/store/takingaction/
5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions
https://www.nctm.org/Store/Products/5-Practices-for-Orchestrating-Productive-Mathematics-Discussions,-2nd-edition-(Download)/
NCTM Catalyzing Change Series
https://www.nctm.org/store/change/
Building Thinking Classrooms
https://www.buildingthinkingclassrooms.com/
Teaching Through Problem-Solving
https://lessonresearch.net/teaching-problem-solving/overview/
Mathematics Vision Project - High School math curriculum
https://access.openupresources.org/curricula/our-hs-math
As always, we hope you consider becoming a member of the California Math Council:
https://www.cmc-math.org/

Jun 6, 2024 • 55min
Ep 09 - Ed shows us that ChatGPT is the MVP of our PLC
Ed Campos shares his futuristic thinking about how teachers might use ChatGPT in their classrooms to make teachers BETTER rather than in a way that attempts to replace teachers. He shares his favorite prompts and his favorite ways for using Chat GPT in the classroom.
RESOURCES SHARED...
One Stop Doc with all the resources for this webinar:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZrbUD_svp0zYomYjyH1Qqw8B8pZ-SKSA5d3aIs_uNO8/edit
The PearDeck Ed used during the talk:
https://app.peardeck.com/student/tyjzmrrbn
FrameBot: A chatbot for getting to know our CA Math Framework
https://poe.com/CAMathFrameBot
California Math Council Website:
https://www.cmc-math.org/
Learn about future webinars here:
https://www.cmc-math.org/cmc-central/virtual-learning-series