If math learning goals are so important, why do they feel like a checkbox?

Research tells us that learning goals are critical for effective math instruction—but in classrooms and professional learning, they’ve become compliance: restated math standards, chapter titles, or “I can” statements posted for visibility but disconnected from the mathematics of the lesson. The result? Task-based math lessons that feel unfocused, weak mathematical consolidation, and students who leave math class unsure what they actually learned. In this episode, Jon and Yvette explain why math learning goals are the glue that holds meaningful math instruction together—and what happens when they’re misunderstood.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why math learning goals drifted from instructional clarity to compliance
• The difference between a math performance goal and a true math learning goal
• How math learning goals anchor task-based and problem-based math lessons
• Why poor lesson consolidation in math is often a learning-goal problem
• How math learning goals guide teacher moves, questioning, and assessment
• What it means to write math learning goals around big ideas and behaviors of mathematics
• Why educators need mathematical epiphanies to design better math learning goals
• How math learning goals apply to both classroom instruction and math professional development

If your system is struggling with math lesson consolidation, formative assessment in mathematics, or task-based math instruction, this episode will help you rethink math learning goals—and identify where math capacity-building work needs to happen.

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ 

Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com 

Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units 

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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.