Send us Fan Mail

Before You Teach Math, Build Belonging

Before students are willing to share their thinking, take risks, make mistakes, persevere through a challenging problem, or disagree with a classmate's strategy, they need to believe one thing:

I belong here.

That's why building a Community of Problem Solvers starts with belonging.

In this episode, we're talking about how to intentionally build belonging from the very beginning of the school year, not as something separate from mathematics, but through the way students experience mathematics in your...

Send us Fan Mail

What if some of the chaos in your classroom isn't actually a behavior problem?

What if it's a routine problem?

In this episode, we're talking about one of the simplest ways to create a calmer, more confident, and more independent classroom: intentionally teaching and practicing routines.

Because routines aren't just about getting students to line up quietly or put their manipulatives away.

Great routines remove unnecessary decision making so students can focus their energy on what actually matters: learning.

And in...

Send us Fan Mail

Every classroom has norms, but they might not be the ones hanging on your wall.

In this episode we're chatting about why most math classroom norms fail... Asking ourselves, are the "norms" reflected in students' daily experiences? 

If we want to build a true community of problem solvers, we have to stop focusing on what our norms say and start focusing on what students actually experience every day.

In this episode, we'll chat about:

Send us Fan Mail

Build Belonging in Your Math Classroom 

Do all your students feel like they belong in math class? 

In this episode of Math Chat, we're wrapping up the Creating a Community of Problem Solvers series by exploring the foundation that holds every other instructional practice together: belonging.

You'll hear why students can't become confident problem solvers until they know their ideas matter, how each part of your math block can strengthen (or weaken) classroom community, and practical ways to create a math cl...

Send us Fan Mail

Assessment shouldn't be something we do to students. It should be something we do with them.

In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we're continuing our Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers series by exploring the fifth strand of the framework: Student-Engaged Assessment.

Too often, assessment data stays in teacher binders, spreadsheets, and data meetings. But what if we invited students into the process? When students understand the learning goal, reflect on their progress, and use feedback to determine their next steps...

Send us Fan Mail

When do you actually teach in a student-centered math classroom?

Teacher friend... if you've ever wondered that, you're not alone.

In Part 4 of the Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers series, we're talking all about Strategic Instruction—the teaching moves that happen because of what your students show you.

We'll unpack why student-centered instruction absolutely includes direct instruction... just not the way many of us were taught. Instead of teaching what's next because the curriculum says so, you'll learn how to notice student th...

Send us Fan Mail

What if math fluency wasn't about speed... but about thinking?

In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we're rethinking what it means to build mathematical fluency in elementary classrooms. Instead of timed tests and memorization, discover how purposeful fluency helps students develop flexible strategies, notice patterns, explain their reasoning, and build lasting mathematical understanding.

You'll learn practical math fluency activities that promote reasoning, discussion, and confidence, including:

Send us Fan Mail

Before students can confidently solve problems, they need opportunities to confidently share ideas.

We're continuing our Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers series by exploring one of my favorite places to start: Thinking Routines.

These routines create low-pressure opportunities for students to notice patterns, share ideas, compare strategies, justify their thinking, and build confidence as mathematicians.

We'll discuss why thinking routines matter, how they support mathematical identity, and why they're such a powerful companion to Word Problem Workshop and problem-solving classrooms.

...

Send us Fan Mail

Creating a classroom of problem solvers can feel overwhelming when you're trying to fit problem solving, fluency, discourse, assessment, intervention, and curriculum pacing into a single math block.

In this episode we're unpacking the six essential elements that help students become confident, capable mathematicians and how these elements work together to create a classroom where students do the thinking, talking, and problem solving.

Inspired by the research in Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics, we'll explore why mathematical proficiency is about so much more than getting...

Send us Fan Mail

What if the most important thing you teach at the beginning of the year isn’t a routine… but a belief about what math actually IS?

In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we’re talking about how to launch the school year with a true problem-solving mindset so students learn to think, persevere, discuss ideas, and trust themselves as mathematicians from day one.

Because students learn what math is by experiencing math.

If math is always watching, copying, and repeating, students learn math is abo...

Send us Fan Mail

What if before planning next year… you actually took time to recognize how much growth happened THIS year?

In this episode of the Math Chat Podcast, we’re talking about meaningful end-of-year reflection for math teachers, how to recognize the shifts that happened in your classroom, and why reflection is one of the most important parts of learning.

Before we jump into planning next year, new classroom supplies, fresh routines, and all the “what should I change?” thoughts, I want to encourage you to pause and really look at the grow...

Send us Fan Mail

Turn and talk is one of the most common strategies in math classrooms—but most teachers aren’t using it in a way that actually builds student thinking.

In this episode, (part 4 of the Math Discussion Makeover Series) we break down how to use turn and talk intentionally to unlock deeper thinking, increase engagement, and strengthen math discussions.

What You’ll Learn:

Send us Fan Mail

What if your math questioning strategies are actually limiting student thinking?
 In this episode, we unpack why many “open-ended” math questions are really closed in disguise—and how a few simple shifts in your math questioning strategies can unlock deeper thinking and stronger math discussions.

After this episode you'll know... 

Send us Fan Mail

What if one of the most common teaching habits is actually training students not to listen?

In this episode, we unpack why repeating students during math discussions can quietly kill engagement and what to do instead to build stronger, more meaningful math conversations.

What You’ll Learn

Send us Fan Mail

If your math share time feels disengaged, the issue might not be your students… it might be the structure. In this episode, we unpack how one common routine is quietly reducing student engagement and what simple shift can help students listen, think, and fully participate in math discussions.

What You’ll Learn:
Why bringing student work to the carpet can actually lower student engagement
What the true purpose of the share is in building student thinking and engagement
How this routine unintentionally excludes students who need enga...

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever found yourself walking around during grapple time unsure of where to go or what to say? This episode taps into that exact moment—when students are at different stages and the instinct is to jump in and fix everything. You’ll discover why the real power of grapple time isn’t in giving answers, but in how you respond to student thinking in math.

Most teachers were trained to look for correct answers, not to analyze thinking. During grapple time, that leads to scanning for who’s right...

Send us Fan Mail

You’ve likely felt this before—leaving a PD inspired, only to return to the same classroom routines the next day. This episode opens with an honest question: if we know what works in math instruction, why aren’t we seeing real change? The answer isn’t more effort—it’s creating the structure and support needed to make math a language of power in every classroom.

We’ve explored the problem and what’s possible—now it’s time to make it actionable. This section bridges theory to practice, emphasizing that meaningful chan...

Send us Fan Mail

In recent conversations, we’ve unpacked a common frustration: math instruction isn’t always producing the confident problem solvers we hope for. But what if the issue isn’t effort or ability—what if it’s structure? This episode opens the door to what’s possible when a school shifts how students experience math as a language of power.

Here’s the surprising part: nothing new was added—no new curriculum, no extra workload. Instead, the focus was on implementing a consistent, predictable math classroom routine where students think, solve, and talk...

Send us Fan Mail

What if the reason students struggle with math problem solving has nothing to do with effort, curriculum, or ability? In this opening, we challenge a common assumption and reveal a powerful truth: the structure of math classrooms is often what holds students back from building confidence. This shift in perspective sets the stage for transforming how we think about teaching math as a language of power. 

Step into a real classroom scenario where a single moment exposes a deeper issue—students equating math success with speed rather than understanding. Wat...

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever walked out of professional development thinking, “That makes so much sense”… only to return to your classroom and teach the exact same way? You’re not alone—and this episode dives into the real reason why knowing better doesn’t always lead to doing better in your math classroom.

Here’s the reality: teachers don’t struggle because they lack knowledge—they struggle because change requires action before confidence. In math education, that gap between knowing and doing is where classrooms stay stuck, even when teachers deeply believe in...

Send us Fan Mail

Right now, gamified math platforms are everywhere—and yes, they can feel like a lifesaver. Students are engaged, they’re excited, and for a moment, it feels like learning is happening seamlessly through technology in math classrooms. However, this episode invites you to pause and consider what these tools are actually teaching students about math.

At first glance, math games seem to promote engagement. But in reality, many students are focused on speed, rewards, and getting back to the game—not on understanding the math. As a result, math l...