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It’s back-to-school season, and if you’re running on caffeine and sheer willpower, this episode is for you. The copy machine is acting up, your prep time is shrinking, and yet—you’re slowly building something amazing with your new class. 

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about launching word problems in math from the very first week to set the tone for a year of problem-solvers, not just answer-getters.

Feeling overwhelmed by planning? I’ve got you covered with my First Week of Word Problem Workshop resources for K–2 and 3–5. These ready-to-go plans include SEL connections, sample problems, prompts, and teacher questions so you can focus on teaching—not reinventing the wheel. Grab them here:

• First Week of WPW K–2
  
  
• First Week of WPW 3–5

🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Math Chat Podcast for the stories, strategies, and teacher gems that will help you kick off problem-solving right.
✅ Subscribe so you never miss an episode
💬 Leave a review to help more teachers find the show

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

If you’ve ever had a student say, “I’m just not a math person”, you know how powerful that belief can be. Math identity—how students see themselves in relation to math—can either open the door to learning or slam it shut. In this episode of Math Chat Podcast, we explore how to shift those fixed beliefs by reframing what math is and who it’s for.

The Word Problem Workshop (WPW) framework is designed to help all learners engage in problem-solving at their own pace. You’ll learn how the “Grapple” step invites productive struggle, the “Share” step encourages diverse strategies, and the “Reflect” step solidifies understanding. This structure turns mistakes into learning moments and makes math a place where every student can shine.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Math Chat Podcast to hear the stories, strategies, and examples in detail.

 ✅ Subscribe so you never miss an episode
💬 Leave a review to help more teachers find the show
📚 Pre-order the book + grab your bonus Word Problem Pack here and start building math confidence in your students today!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Starting the school year can feel overwhelming—but what if teaching routines didn’t have to be boring? In this episode, I’m showing you how to set up essential classroom routines and build a strong classroom community right from day one. You’ll walk away with ideas you can use immediately to make lining up, group work, and transitions smooth and stress-free.

Want to skip the trial and error? I’ve created a 28-routine Classroom Routines Pack on TPT, complete with lesson plans, prompts, and activity ideas for everything from turning in homework to transitioning between lessons. It’s designed to save you time and help you establish strong systems from the very first day.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Math Chat Podcast now to get all the details, stories, and bonus tips!

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a teacher friend who’s ready to start the year strong.

 👉 Download my Classroom Routines Pack on TPT to make Day 1 (and every day after) smooth, organized, and fun!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

If your math block feels more like crowd control than joyful problem solving, this episode is for you. We’re talking about how proactive math classroom management strategies can help you stop reacting to behavior and start building a smooth, focused learning environment where students thrive — especially during challenging math work.

🛠️ Simple Steps to Implement Proactive Math Classroom Management

Ready to take action? Here’s where Mona gets super practical:

Step 1: Set Up Predictable Systems

Start with your most chaotic moments (e.g., math block entry, cleanup, carpet time) and turn them into predictable routines. The clearer your instructions, the calmer your classroom.

Step 2: Master Your Transitions

Transitions don’t have to be chaotic. Mona shares specific scripts and cues to create smooth, consistent shifts that preserve your instructional time and reduce behavioral hiccups.

Step 3: Build Norms with Your Students

When students help co-create the expectations, they’re far more likely to follow them. Mona shares how to engage students in developing classroom norms — and points to previous episodes that dig even deeper.
Grab the TPT product Math Norm Posters & Plans here https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Norms-6205708 

🔁 Listen + Subscribe + Join the Movement

If today’s episode on proactive math classroom management strategies sparked new ideas, don’t keep them to yourself:

✅ Subscribe to Math Chat wherever you get your podcasts
✅ Leave a review — it helps more teachers find strategies that work
✅ Read it here: 3 Steps to Set Predictable Math Routines
✅ Tag Mona on Instagram @hellomonamath and let her know how proactive routines are transforming your classroom

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Have you ever felt like every new math strategy or program is just more to juggle? From colorful problem-solving cards to trendy new resources, it's easy to feel like you're constantly adding to your plate — without seeing deeper learning stick. In this episode, Mona Iehl shares how she stopped the cycle of piling on and started using a student-centered math approach that truly transformed her classroom.

🔄 Ready to Shift? Here’s How to Make It Happen

You don’t need a new curriculum—you need a new lens. Here are Mona’s three actionable tips to shift from an add-on mindset to a student-centered math approach:

1. Ask yourself: Does this help students think?
   If it’s busy work, skip it. If it builds reasoning, keep it.
2. Look for overlap, not extras.
   Use new strategies that align with what you're already doing—not that compete with it.
3. Give yourself permission to pass.
   Just because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it fits your teaching style or your students’ needs.

🎧 Listen + Subscribe

Ready to make math teaching lighter, deeper, and more joyful?
🎧 Tune in now to hear the full episode
💌 Subscribe to the Math Chat podcast so you never miss an idea that makes your math block better
⭐ Leave a review to help more teachers stop adding more and start teaching with clarity and purpose
📥 Join Word Problem Workshop HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

What do horoscopes and homework have in common? More than you think—especially in the world of inclusive math education. In this episode, Mona sits down with Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, to talk about smashing stereotypes, redefining math identity, and using creativity (yes, even astrology!) to reimagine math class as a space for joy and empowerment.

🎧 Tune In, Smash the System, and Reimagine Math Education

This episode is a must-listen for any educator ready to rethink what math class can and should be. Whether you’re curious about astrology or just tired of the “one right answer” narrative, Vanessa and Mona will inspire you to build a math classroom full of creativity, equity, and true student voice.

👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts
👉 Subscribe to stay in the loop with more equity-driven math episodes
👉 Leave a review to help more teachers discover Math Chat

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Have you ever stared at your lesson plans, pacing guide, and testing calendar and wondered: How am I supposed to fit all of this in? If so, this episode was made for you. Host Mona Iehl, math coach and creator of Word Problem Workshop, helps you shift from cramming content to making room for deep thinking, math talk, and student growth.

We’ve all asked it: How do I fit it all in? But Mona flips the script and offers a more powerful question: What really needs to fit? This episode challenges the pressure to cover every problem in the textbook and reminds us that our real job is to help students make sense of math—not race through content.

💡 3 Practical Shifts to Restructure Your Math Block (5–6 min read)

Ready to start reclaiming your math block? Mona offers three actionable strategies to create more space for student thinking without throwing out your curriculum:

⭐️ 1. Get Clear on What’s Non-Negotiable

Use standards to identify what truly matters. Not all content is created equal—focus on the major work of your grade and spend time where it counts.

⭐️ 2. Build a Predictable Structure

Students thrive on routine. Mona shares a time-tested structure:

• Warm-Up (10 min): Number talks, WODB, number of the day
• Word Problem Workshop (25 min): Open problems, real-world contexts
• Curriculum/Small Groups (25 min): Fluency, centers, skill practice

⭐️ 3. Use Curriculum as a Source, Not a Script

Start with the juicy problems—often hidden at the end of a lesson. Let students grapple first, then facilitate discussion to name strategies and build understanding. The deep thinking comes first—the direct teaching comes after.

🎧 Listen, Subscribe, and Let’s Redesign That Math Block Together

✅ Listen to the full episode to learn how to shift your mindset and get practical steps to transform your math time
✅ Subscribe to Math Chat so you never miss an episode
✅ Leave a review to help more teachers find the support they need

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

If you're trying to reach every student by creating multiple versions of your math lesson—this episode is for you. Host Mona Iehl, math coach and creator of Word Problem Workshop, shows you how to differentiate effectively without doubling your workload. The secret? One well-chosen, open-ended problem—and the right mindset to support it.

Many of us grew up believing that differentiation meant creating different work for different learners—and then spent hours doing just that. But Mona breaks down a more effective approach: planning for variation, not perfection. Differentiation happens when we vary the content, process, product, or learning environment—not when we run ourselves ragged with busywork.

🧠 Content, Process, Product, and Environment: A Fresh Framework

Let’s get specific. Mona walks you through the four core elements of differentiated instruction in math:

• Content: Vary numbers or contexts within the same task
• Process: Offer choices—tools, strategies, partners
• Product: Let students show thinking in multiple ways
• Environment: Build spaces that support focus and risk-taking

Whether it’s offering manipulatives, flexible seating, or celebration of “messy” math, these strategies help all learners thrive.

🎧 Listen, Subscribe, and Simplify Your Math Block

 ✅ Listen to the full episode to discover a better way to differentiate in math
 ✅ Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a strategy
 ✅ Leave a review to help more educators build flexible, inclusive math classrooms

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

In today’s episode, Mona welcomes special education teacher and SEL expert Allie Szczecinski to unpack a topic that’s often overlooked in math: social emotional learning (SEL). With over 15 years of experience and a brand-new book, Their Best Behavior, Allie shares how weaving SEL into your math instruction can build stronger thinkers, more confident students, and a calmer classroom.

🎧 This one’s a must-listen if you’ve ever thought, “My students could do the math… if only they believed they could.”

📘 Their Best Behavior by Allie Szczecinski

🎧 Listen, Subscribe, and Start the Shift

Ready to build a math class that supports the whole child?
✅ Listen to the full episode for inspiration and practical ideas
✅ Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a strategy
✅ Leave a review to help more educators discover the power of SEL in math

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Is your math block filled with silence so thick you can hear pencils stretching? This episode is for you. Host Mona Lehl is flipping the script on what a “focused” math class sounds like—and spoiler alert: it’s not silent. Real math thinking creates a buzz, and Mona is here to help you lean into the noise.

🔧 3 Ways to Keep the Math Talk Productive 

Worried the noise will spiral into chaos? Mona shares three practical strategies that turn chatter into meaningful collaboration:
1️⃣ Build a Routine for Collaboration – When talk time is expected and structured, students step up.
2️⃣ Set Clear Expectations – Model what great math talk sounds like, and practice it together.
3️⃣ Give Kids Time – Confidence takes time. Celebrate effort, not just polished answers.

🧠 You’ll walk away with ready-to-implement ideas you can try tomorrow.

🎧 Subscribe, Review & Let the Buzz Begin

If today’s episode gave you that little nudge to embrace the productive hum of math talk:
 ✅ Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes
 ✅ Leave a review to help more teachers discover Math Chat

🎙️ Thanks for being the kind of teacher who gives students the space to speak—and the confidence to believe they belong in math.

Until next time, embrace the buzz. Your classroom isn’t too loud—it’s alive.

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!