In this "Where Are They Now?" episode, we reconnect with Tom Marker, a dedicated 6th grade teacher from Ohio, who continues to inspire us with his dedication to improving his teaching strategies. 

We dive into another conversation with Tom where we tackle: 

1. Helping Students Break Away from Calculator Reliance: Tom explores effective strategies to liberate students from overreliance on calculators. Discover how he empowers his students to develop mental math skills, fostering a deep understanding of numerical concepts and building confidence in their own mathematical abilities.
2. Nurturing Curiosity for Lifelong Learning: As educators, it is crucial to cultivate and sustain students' natural curiosity for learning. Tom shares his insights on how to keep that flame alive, ensuring students remain engaged, motivated, and eager to explore the fascinating world of mathematics.
3. Embracing Flexibility for Strengthened Number Sense: By encouraging students to embrace flexibility in their problem-solving approaches, Tom unveils the transformative power of fostering a strong number sense. Explore how this flexibility enhances students' mathematical reasoning, adaptability, and overall problem-solving skills.
4. Building Confidence through Problem Strings: Tom takes us on a journey into the world of problem strings—a powerful tool he employs to boost students' confidence in mathematics. Learn how problem strings can provide students with a supportive and structured environment, allowing them to tackle progressively challenging problems while fostering a growth mindset.

With each passing episode, Tom Marker continues to inspire educators, parents, and learners alike, offering practical advice and unique perspectives on mathematics education. Join us as we delve deeper into his ongoing successes, challenges, and the transformative impact he continues to have in his classroom and beyond.

Tune in to this engaging follow-up episode as we embark on a riveting conversation with Tom Marker, dedicated to unleashing the full potential of our students through innovative math education strategies.

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 to help students break away from their reliance on the calculator;
• Why it is so important to help students keep that curiosity for learning going as long as we can;
• Why giving students the freedom to be flexible with their answers will strengthen their number sense; 
• How you can use problem strings to build students’ confidence in mathematics;

Resources: 

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Are 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.