Math Chat

By Mona IehlScience Education How To Mathematics

Math Chat episodes

October 07, 2024133: 3 Reasons Why Math Intervention Programs Don't Work, with Juliana Tapper
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What math intervention curriculums actually work? This is one of the questions I get asked the most and today I'm excited to chat about all things math interventions with my friend, Juliana!

We're chatting about:
Having high expectations of our students
The important piece math intervention curriculums miss
Just in time approaches to math interventions
Other links:
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
90: Math Trauma and What to Do About It
49: 3 Expectations & "Just in Time Supports" in Math

Connect with Juliana:
@collaborated.with.juliana on Instagram
www.collaboratedwithjuliana.com
Juliana's book: Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle

Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath
How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum
May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom
Sign up NOW - monamath.com/leaderworkshop
32 min
September 30, 2024132: Math Grades: What should I grade?
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Do math grades stress you out? If you are needing to get some grades in the grade book for progress reports, this episode will help you figure out what to grade, when to grade, and how to grade in math.

In this episode, we are chatting about:
Separating student behaviors and their academic achievement for math grades
Formative assessments for math grades
Unit tests or summative assessments for math grades

You might also like:
128: What are the 5 Strands of Math Proficiency?
101: Math Problem Types & Why They Matter
Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

Leave a review!!
If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.
14 min
September 23, 2024131: Counting in Math with Collections: Interview with Kathy Minas
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Do you use counting collections in your classroom? I have the expert you need to hear from on the show today!

Kathy shares practical tips to start using counting collections, helpful routines for counting collections, and how to use counting collections to differentiate our math instruction. You will feel empowered to start using counting collections or to use them in new ways after listening to this episode!
In this episode we will chat about:
What counting collections are and how they can be used for K-5 students
How to integrate fractions and decimals content into counting collections in upper elementary grades
Extension questions to ask after using counting collections
About Our Guest, Kathy:

Kathy Minas is a math educator and the founder of The Math Collective. She holds a masters degree in General and Special Education from Teachers College, and her background in special education has shaped her approach to math instruction.

Kathy is committed to providing spaces for educators and school leaders to collaboratively deepen their understanding of effective, equity-focused math practices. She collaborates with educators in designing culturally relevant instruction that reflects the experiences and identities of their students, while providing points of entry for all learners.

Connect with Kathy:
@themathcollective on Instagram
www.themathcollective.com
You might also like:
5 Practices for Orchestrating Math Discussions
5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath

How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum
May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom
Sign up NOW - monamath.com/leaderworkshop
28 min
September 16, 2024130: 3 Things You’re Missing in Math Community
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What does it take to build a math community?

On this episode, we're talking about 3 things I don’t want you to miss in math class to help you forge a community of mathematicians that work together to problem solve through discussing their thinking, taking risks, and learning through mistakes.
We are chatting about:
Creating entrance routines
Having discussion structures
Making room for kids to explain their math thinking
Links mentioned in this episode:
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
121: What is Student-Centered Learning?
107: Math Discussions: 3 Ways to Get Students to Engage
Other episodes you might like:
Wait! 3 Common Pitfalls When Trying Something New in Math
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath
Leave a review!!
If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.
18 min
September 09, 2024129: Start the School Year with High Math Engagement
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You’re starting the school year and it’s time to set the bar high. Let’s talk about how you can get every child engaged now so that they stay engaged all year.

In this episode, I'm sharing 3 ideas to get every student engaged in math class.

We are chatting about:
Community building experiences that build trust, relationships, mindsets, and norms
Expectations and how to communicate them and provide accountability
The importance of feedback and how it can be used for teachers AND students
Links mentioned in this episode:
Thanks for the Feedback... I Think? (feedback picture book I mention!)
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All
Other episodes you might like:
125: 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning for the Year
110: Building Thinking Classrooms with Maegan Giroux
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath
Leave a review!!
If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.
12 min
September 02, 2024128: What are the 5 strands of math proficiency?
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What does it actually look like for our students to be proficient in math? In this episode, we are talking about the 5 strands of math proficiency and breaking each of them down so we can design our math instruction to help students build their math proficiency in all 5 areas.

We are chatting about:
Conceptual understanding
Procedural fluency
Strategic competence
Adaptive reasoning
Productive disposition
Are you wondering What is Math Proficiency? What are the 5 Strands of Math Proficiency? Go and listen to episode #40 "What is Proficiency in Math?"
Links mentioned in this episode:
6: Four Simple Steps to Teach Anything and Everything in Math Class
5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
Adding it Up (A great resource on the 5 strands!)
Children’s Mathematics Cognitively Guided Instruction (A resource for teaching CGI)
32: Elementary Math Teachers: Are you using research based instructional strategy to empower students?
How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum
May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom
Sign up NOW - monamath.com/leaderworkshop
31 min
August 26, 2024127: Classroom Management, an Interview with Jenna from That Strong Teacher
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Are you thinking through your classroom management strategies for the new school year? I have the expert you need to hear from on the show today!

Jenna shares practical tips so that you can feel confident in your classroom management. You will feel empowered to build strong classroom routines and relationships with your students after listening to this episode.
In this episode we will chat about:
How to build a strong classroom community (and Jenna's secret sauce!)
Practical tips for classroom management (and what Jenna would tell newer teachers about management)
Building a strong classroom management foundation at the beginning of the year and referring back to it often
About our guest, Jenna:
Jenna has been an elementary educator for 11 years in New York. She has taught second, third, and fourth grade and currently teaches second grade! Jenna wanted to be an educator since she was in second grade. She LOVES supporting educators through her Instagram platform, That Strong Teacher, where she helps teachers become strong and confident in classroom management.

Connect with Jenna:
@Thatstrongteacher on IG
The Classroom Management Playbook
You might also like:
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
87: Why you need SEL in Math Problem Solving...Now!
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath
How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum
May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom
Sign up NOW - monamath.com/leaderworkshop
35 min
August 19, 2024126: The only classroom "rule" you need for classroom management in Math Class
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Have you been thinking about how to establish clear expectations and a strong foundation for classroom management this school year? I’m not a big fan of rules… and this rule is the best rule.

On today's episode, I'm telling you about the only rule you need and how to use it.

We're chatting about:
The one classroom rule that changed the game for me
Setting clear boundaries while preserving students' dignity in rule making
How this rule is equitable, responsive, and provides ownership to students
Links mentioned in this episode:
Love and Logic
How to Create a Love and Logic Classroom blog post
Episode 75: Proactive Classroom management tips in 4 steps
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath
Leave a review!!
If you love listening to Honest Math Chat, please take a few seconds to leave a review so other teachers know this is a valuable place to spend a few minutes each week.
14 min
August 12, 2024125: 3 Mistakes to Avoid when Planning for the Year
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Are you thinking about planning out your school year?

On this episode, we’re going to talk about how to plan for your year that includes more than just your scope and sequence.
We chat about these 3 planning mistakes and what to do instead:
Focusing on the wrong content
Misunderstanding "rigor"
Leaving conceptual understanding till the end once kids “get the procedures”
Links mentioned in the episode:
Planning for a Year of Math ($27 PD)
Major math work for each grade level (achievethecore.org)
Rigor in Mathematics
➡️ What do you think of when you hear the word "rigor?" - Send me your thoughts on IG @hellomonamath
14 min
August 05, 2024124: Word Problem Workshop - What is it & Why you need it this school year
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Are you looking for a way to support your students in building problem solving skills, a deep understanding of math and a positive math mindset?

In this episode, we are talking about Word Problem Workshop - my step-by-step plan for teaching problem solving in a student-centered way.

We are chatting about:
Moving from the WHAT to the HOW in math
Using research to make shifts in how we plan, think about, and facilitate math
How Word Problem Workshop is a student-led approach to exploring and understanding math
Links mentioned in this episode:
Word Problem Workshop
Moving From the WHAT to the HOW in Math Class
Helping Kids Become Math Problem Solvers
5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
Research mentioned in this episode:
5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions
Children’s Mathematics, Second Edition: Cognitively Guided Instruction
Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All
12 min

About Math Chat

From the publisher's feed

Mona, of Mona Math, reveals the mysteries of how to teach elementary math even if you aren't a math person. Discover how you can develop a buzzing student led math classroom. We cover all things…