))
A podcast where math lovers, math teachers, and math students come together to explore arguments.
…
continue reading
Helping you transform your K-12 math lesson plans by building confidence in effective teaching practices, guiding you to transform your math curriculum, and inspiring classroom strategies to engage all students. Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans where students don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? Over the last 19 years, Kyle and Jon, the founders of MakeMathMoments.com have been engaging students, teachers, and district program leaders w ...
…
continue reading
Math Therapy explores the root causes of math trauma, and the empowering ways we can heal from it. Each week host Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, dives into what we get right and wrong about math education, and chats with some of today’s most inspiring and visionary minds working to make math more accessible, diverse, and fun for students of all ages. Whether you think you’re a "math person" or not, you’re about to find out that math people don’t actually exist – but the scars that math ...
…
continue reading
What if our students were not focused solely on finding the correct answer? What if they felt motivated to discuss and explain math topics? If we want students to deeply understand topics, they need to communicate their thinking, construct arguments, and listen and respond to others. They need to DebateMath! Listen in as Chris Luzniak, author of De…
…
continue reading
Having attended and presented at the annual NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) conference, Vanessa reached out to "famously nice guy" Kevin Dykema, the organization's President, to learn more about his journey to the top. Along the way she was surprised to learn that even he battles imposter syndrome, and the way he's learned to dea…
…
continue reading
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 au…
…
continue reading
HUGE news - Math Therapy is now a book! Vanessa has taken everything she's learned in her career helping students overcome math trauma, and all the insights from the 6 seasons of this podcast, and formulated a 5-step process to bring math therapy into classrooms and help all students develop a better relationship with math. To celebrate, Math Thera…
…
continue reading
1
How to Capture, Assess, and Report Mathematical Practice Standards In Your Classroom - A Math Mentoring Moment
46:56
Are your current assessment methods truly capturing your students' growth and understanding in mathematics? In a world where traditional testing often falls short of showcasing real student achievement, this episode explores innovative strategies that could redefine how we measure success in the math classroom. Whether you're struggling to balance …
…
continue reading
For our final “Hot Seat” of 2024, we wanted to lean into the topic of data science. It’s starting to become a course offered in high schools, but some may wonder if it is a rigorous pathway for students. Is Calculus still the most rigorous course for high school students? We want to hear from our guests from DataScience4Everyone, asking them: Is Da…
…
continue reading
How can you keep ALL students engaged and excited about math when the topic doesn’t seem to lend itself to engaging and insightful ideas? If you're struggling to maintain your students' interest in math or finding it difficult to balance foundational skills with engaging activities, this episode offers practical solutions that could transform your …
…
continue reading
Learn how to use students’ prior knowledge to not only propel them forward to reach the standards in your grade level, but clear up many day-to-day problems that come from managing a classroom full of students. In this episode, we talk with Pamela Seda, author of Choosing to See: A Framework For Equity in the Math Classroom and we share how to stru…
…
continue reading
Do you know what Problem-Based Lessons are? And more importantly, do you think they are important? For this Hot Seat, we hear from educators Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr on why they think: Problem Based Lessons are Essential. Follow the Make Math Moments Podcast Check out Problem-Based Lessons on: makemathmoments.com Take the report at makemathmoments.c…
…
continue reading
What are the first week of school math activities that you should be using to start the school year off right and never look back? In this episode, we explore how to kick off your school year with impactful math culture building activities and math classroom activities that set the tone for a year of growth and learning. We’ll also help you underst…
…
continue reading
What is the most fundamental question in math education right now? Can you guess? In this episode we make a bold claim about the fundamental question that needs answering in math education. We’ll share insights into how to be intentional in your math classroom so you can effectively plan, deliver, assess, and learn the standards for your current gr…
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered how math education varies across the globe and what best practices you may have been missing out on when you are teaching math? In this episode Kyle and Jon dive into a fascinating conversation with Amy Bride, who shares her research and observations from her year-long sabbatical exploring what teaching and learning math look…
…
continue reading
For this next Hot Seat debate, we talk about the complicated decision to leave education. With many teachers leaving or considering leaving the profession, we brought on two former educators–Laila Nur & Justin Aion–to debate the question: Is it OK to quit teaching? Follow Laila on Twitter: @mslailanur or check out her website: www.mslailanur.com Fo…
…
continue reading
1
Effective Tier 2 Support: Is This What It Should Look Like In Math Class? - A Math Mentoring Moment
48:35
What does the next level of support look like in our classrooms? What should it look like to support our students? This episode dives deep into the world of a dedicated math interventionist who integrates specialized strategies to make math accessible and engaging for all students, especially those facing barriers like dyslexia and economic disadva…
…
continue reading
It’s likely that you as a math teacher or even your K-12 district may have been focusing on the wrong things when striving for improvement in mathematics. In this episode, Jon and Kyle dive into a common challenge many educators face: the misalignment of priorities in the math classroom. They discuss how shifting the focus from specific resources t…
…
continue reading
Welcome to our very first Hot Seat debate! In this debate we hear from Sunil Singh and explore his idea that: Math is Dead! Follow Sunil on Twitter: @Mathgarden Check out Sunil’s Website: www.mathsings.com Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the v…
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Seth Boschen as he embarks on a new role leading a team of teachers in his math department. Faced with the challenge of implementing standards-based grading and integrating portfolios into his classes, Seth shares his insights and experienc…
…
continue reading
Are you leveraging your curriculum resources for mathematics to their fullest potential in the classroom? In today's fast-paced educational environment, teachers of math often find themselves overwhelmed with a plethora of curriculum resources, each promising to enhance student learning. However, without a deep understanding of the author's intent …
…
continue reading
Dr. Jo Boaler is here to discuss her new book "Math-ish," where she introduces findings that advocate for viewing mathematics through a real-world lens, termed “math-ish.” This approach reshapes our perceptions of math, data, and personal capabilities. Recognizing the significance of diversity in individuals and varied learning strategies allows ev…
…
continue reading
You may have heard news of schools and districts that are switching to a 4 day school week. There are claims of improved teacher retention or reduced costs. However, this is a highly debated topic. So we invited four guests to share their thoughts on the debate: Let's Switch to a 4-Day School Week! Resources Referenced in this Episode Follow Jodie …
…
continue reading
Are you ready to transform your math classroom by shifting the focus from grades to genuine learning? In today's educational landscape, many teachers struggle with moving away from a grade-centric approach to fostering a deeper understanding and love for mathematics in their students. In this episode we speak with high school math teacher Lori Mart…
…
continue reading
Ever wondered why traditional math education might be holding back our true potential to understand and use mathematics effectively? Conrad Wolfram, strategic director of Wolfram Research and a prominent advocate for transforming math education, joins Jon and Kyle in this episode to explore revolutionary approaches to teaching math. With a fascinat…
…
continue reading
Dan Finkel is an author/educator who believes that humans are wired to be curious from birth, and that play is the secret to maintaining that joy of learning throughout childhood. On today’s season 6 finale, he and Vanessa discuss how teaching kids about math can be so much more fun than we think; it can mean playing board games, counting on their …
…
continue reading
As a math coach, how do you get teachers to open up to you so you can best serve them? What purposeful questions can you put in your “back pocket” to keep the coaching alive instead of just turning the session into “show and tell” ? Listen in to this episode as we chat with first year math coach Connor Wagner from Pittsburg. Connor has had great su…
…
continue reading
Dr. India White learned grit and resilience the hard way: facing down obstacles throughout her life and deciding she wouldn’t back down. Now she coaches teachers and students on developing their own gritty superpowers, and she joins Vanessa today for wide-ranging and inspiring conversation. They discuss her journey from a homeless shelter to a coll…
…
continue reading
Do we know what we are really measuring in our math assessments? What unintended thoughts are we conveying to our students when we pass the test back? How can we as parents and math professionals navigate complex relationships between teacher, parent, and student? This episode delves into the complex dynamics of math assessment, addressing a univer…
…
continue reading
What if the secret to winning a debate was actually listening to your opponent? What if you could build confidence and overcome anxiety through the practice of public speaking? And HOW does someone go from dreams of Broadway fame to teaching debate in math class?! Find out today as Vanessa chats with math educator/coach Chris Luzniak, host of The D…
…
continue reading
Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Can you feel the change that is happening in your district’s math program? Are you on the right pathway to improve math instruction and ultimately student success in your school or school district? These are all questions our guests, Michael Scott and Morgan Siler have asked themselves (and us) on the…
…
continue reading
When Vanessa saw today’s guest deliver a deeply personal talk at a recent math conference, she was left with more questions than answers; all she knew for certain was she had to get him on the podcast. Sean Nank is a math educator who believes that the power of our students' stories is the most valuable tool we can harness in our math classrooms, a…
…
continue reading
Are you ready to transform your math classroom into a hub of student engagement and participation? If you're a math teacher or educator striving to maintain sustained student engagement and lead effective, captivating lessons, this episode is crafted for you. We caught up with 2-time mentoring moment guest Jeremy Sarzana, a high school teacher in B…
…
continue reading
Today’s another one for the teachers, featuring Jon Orr & Kyle Pearce of the Make Math Moments empire - they have a podcast, a framework, workshops & courses & virtual summits galore, and who knows probably even a cooking show at this point?! They join Vanessa today to discuss the SHOCKING realization early in their career that not all students wou…
…
continue reading
Have you heard of the Science of Math? It is a movement in the math education world, which aims to use research to inform best practices. However, there has been some push back to this movement. Critics question what and how research was quoted and used. This controversy sounded like a topic for the Debate Math Podcast. Come hear out both sides! Re…
…
continue reading
1
Guided Independence For Math PD: How Much Hand Holding Is Too Much When Providing Support In Math Classes?
32:00
Are you struggling to find the perfect balance between knowing what is enough guidance and structure you need to effectively teach your grade level or course? If you’re a district leader of math programming and struggling to figure out this same balance? How much is too much hand-holding? For math educators, coaches, and administrators, the challen…
…
continue reading
We’re often talking about trauma from the student perspective: how it happens in the classroom, and how it follows them into adulthood. But one group is often overlooked in this discussion - teachers! Today Vanessa chats with educator Brittany Hege about the challenges teachers often face in keeping up with changing pedagogies, while already being …
…
continue reading
1
Teach Your Math Class Using Puzzles & Games - An Interview with Gordon Hamilton from Math Pickle
48:21
How can we engage our students for the entire class with grade level content? Puzzles aligned to grade level standards is one answer. In this episode we speak with Gordon Hamilton from Mathpickle.com who designs mathematical puzzles for K-12 classrooms. Stick with us and you’ll learn How to use puzzles to teach grade level standards, how to challen…
…
continue reading
Of the truly infinite things Vanessa likes to rant about, few top the list like math’s marketing problem - which is why she was elated to chat with social media mathstar Howie Hua! Today Howie shares how his own experiences with math anxiety sucked the joy out of math when he was a student, and how he started to bring it back for both himself and h…
…
continue reading
1
Help! My Curriculum Resource Is Being Pulled Away. What Do I Do Now? - A Where Are They Now Math Mentoring Moment
53:10
It can feel frustrating and overwhelming and you’ll feel like you’re forced to “go back to the drawing board” when your curriculum resource is pulled away from you. What do we consider when trying to select a new curriculum resource? Are we supposed to create our own resources from scratch? As educators, we are constantly facing the challenge of ad…
…
continue reading
When you picture a mathematician, what comes to mind? Now … what about a “mathematical explorer”? Well, that’s what Francis Su calls himself, and when Vanessa picked up his book Mathematics for Human Flourishing, she couldn’t put it down. On today's episode they explore how mathematical discovery can unleash the wonder and curiosity innate within u…
…
continue reading
Each and every year, district and school mathematics leadership teams spend countless hours crafting lofty goals and monitoring plans, but struggle to state measurable improvement in effective teacher practice and student gains. If you’ve ever wondered: How can I create a pd action plan that teachers view as useful and not “just adding to their pla…
…
continue reading
Longtime listeners (like today’s guest, as you’ll discover…) will recall one name popping up in almost every interview last season, so Vanessa needed to find out for herself: who is Zak Champagne & why do people like him so much?! Through today’s rollercoaster episode she discovered a teacher with boundless enthusiasm for the joys of teaching, grou…
…
continue reading
Ever felt like you're just "sprinkling fairy dust" in your educational role without making a real impact? This Math Mentoring is for every educator leader, math coach, or math coordinator grappling with the challenge of supporting teachers making meaningful changes in their teaching methods. It delves into the real-world struggles and victories of …
…
continue reading
On the Season 6 premiere of Math Therapy, Vanessa chats with Dr. Pamela Seda, an expert in all things education and inspiration! They dive deep into hot topics like how teachers can build trust in the classroom by modelling vulnerability, the benefits of cultivating community over competition, and a fascinating metaphor that illustrates what equity…
…
continue reading
This month's episode is a special recording of two LIVE debates at the OMCA 2024 Retreat. Listen as thoughtful math leaders discuss two topics and answer questions from the audience! The first topic is: We need to have common evaluations. The second debate topic is: Teachers spend too much time on direct instruction. Follow up with our debaters: Fo…
…
continue reading
1
How To Give Effective Feedback In Elementary Mathematics Classrooms - A Math Mentoring Moment
39:29
When you shift your teaching practices from “I do, we do, you” to a problem based approach that engages students to think first you will often be led to question how you give feedback to students. In this episode we speak with Diane Hamilton, an elementary classroom teacher from Toronto Ontario. Diane has been implementing the 14 strategies from Pe…
…
continue reading
Season 6 drops March 28th - here’s a sample of who and what you’ll hear!由Vanessa Vakharia
…
continue reading
Ever wondered how to transform math class into every student's favorite subject? Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of #MathPlay with Libo Valencia, a passionate high school math teacher from New York and author who believes in shaping the future of mathematics through engaging and playful teaching strategies. Explore the transformat…
…
continue reading
It's March 14th, aka 3.14 ... so Happy Pi Day! To help you get in the zone, we're re-airing an episode from last year recounting the Math Therapy team's Pi Day 2023 trip to Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Michigan. This stemmed from Vanessa's Season 3, Episode 10 interview with Christopher Havens, an inmate serving a 25-year sentence for mur…
…
continue reading
1
How Can I Battle My Insecurities When Teaching Through Tasks & Problem Based Math Lessons - A Math Mentoring Moment
42:29
How can you transform your middle school classroom with problem-based lessons while overcoming personal insecurities and teaching doubts? In this mentoring moment episode we speak with Joanne Ward, a middle school teacher from Taipei Taiwan who is tackling a common challenge faced by educators: the uncertainty and lack of confidence in implementing…
…
continue reading
The rumours are true! (The rumours that Vanessa has been spreading herself.) Season 6 of Math Therapy launches March 28th! To get you hyped while we get this batch of episodes ready for you, here are some brief thoughts she recorded immediately after we finished a marathon 10 interviews over 4 days. What themes did she cover? Will she or her guests…
…
continue reading
1
How To Align Your Math Classroom Teaching Practices With Your Philosophy - A Math Mentoring Moment
42:28
Have you ever wondered how to ensure your teaching actions align seamlessly with your educational philosophies? How close is your practice with your preach? In this episode we speak with Felicia Favela, a veteran 8th grade pre-algebra teacher from Phoenix Arizona who knows that in the realm of education, consistency between what we say and what we …
…
continue reading
