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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.

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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 

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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

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Do you struggle with not having the time to create every math task yourself but knowing that what your curriculum has to offer just isn’t enough?

Take a deep breath, this episode is for you!

We are diving into: 

• The pros and cons of math curriculums 
• The pros and cons of teacher created lessons
• My recommendation for how to spend the bulk of your time during math planning

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• My interview with The Kindergarten Cafe podcast on getting new curriculum
• Year of Word Problems (K-5 for only $29!)
• High Quality Math Tasks List

You might like: 

• Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All 
• Guide to Engaging Math Discussions
• Word Problem Workshop

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.

Send us Fan Mail

What are schoolwide math norms and why are they important?

In this episode, we’re breaking down schoolwide math norms because they are a problem or nonexistent in almost EVERY school.

We are chatting about: 

• Why every school should have schoolwide math norms
• Examples of math norms
• How we establish and USE these norms for math

Links mentioned in this episode:

The Math Pact
8 Ways to Build Math Classroom Community
109: New Math: How to Get Everyone on Board

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

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What is student-centered learning and why should we use it in math?

A student-centered math classroom has students doing the work – the thinking, doing, exploring, figuring out. The teacher is the guide on the side in that exploration and sense making.

In this episode, we're chatting about: 

• What student-centered learning is NOT (hint: out of control or easier for kids)
• The students' role in student-centered math
• The teacher’s role in a student-centered classroom
• How to plan and facilitate a student-centered math class

Other resources for student-centered math: 

• This article from Edutopia scratches the surface & can help you get started.
• Student Engagement Strategies on this article.
• What is a math discussion? Questions answered here!
• 4 Simple Steps to Teach ANYTHING in a student-centered math classroom!
• What is a student-centered math classroom?
• 5 Steps to a Student-Centered Math Class

Send me a DM on Instagram @hellomonamath

MATH COACHES: enrollment is open for Math Coach Huddle!

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Are you looking for a math coach or to grow as a math teacher?

In this episode, we are talking about resources for teachers to use to grow their skills and knowledge (in case you are looking for summer learning opportunities!)

We're chatting about: 

• Setting our own goals as a teacher
• My favorite resources and PD for teaching math
• What to do if you don't have the funding to pay for PD

Links mentioned in this episode:

Empowering Math Discussions (This course is part 2 of Word Problem Workshop)
Word Problem Workshop
Math Coach Huddle 
One-on-One Virtual Math Coaching
Funding Opportunities PDF
Training for Administrators

You might also like:

5 Practices for Orchestrating Math Discussions
5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class

My IG DMs are always open @hellomonamath 

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Math teacher friend, you are powerful. I’m here to remind you of the 6 best teacher moves you can make in the math classroom in this upcoming school year! 

This episode will empower you to see your math teaching for what it truly is... ambitious. We are covering 6 ways you can make the most impact in your math classroom.

We are talking about: 

• Practical steps to empower your students in math
• The essence of what makes a great math class
• How to create a system to apply these power moves in your classroom

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• Guide to Engaging Math Discussions
• 5 Practices for Orchestrating Math Discussions
• Word Problem Workshop

You might also like:

• 113: The Only 3 Questions You Need to Ask

If you have taken Word Problem Workshop, send me a DM on Instagram  @hellomonamath or an email at [email protected]. I would love to chat with you!

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Does the gradual release model belong in math class?

In this episode, I'm going to argue that we do the opposite of the "I Do, We Do, You Do" instructional approach in math. Instead, I am going to walk you through teaching practices I've used to create equitable, student-centered math classes that empower students to BE mathematicians.

We are talking about: 

• What the GRR model is
• The math research says
• How to flip the GRR model (independent work ➡️  providing support as students remain in the lead ➡️  share ideas ➡️  summarize learning)

My favorite books mentioned in this episode:

• 📗Adding it Up 
• 📘Children’s Mathematics Cognitively Guided Instruction  
• 📙Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All 
• 📕5 Practices for Orchestrating Math Discussions 

You might also like: 

• 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
• SALE: Empowering Math Discussions PD is only $77 until Tuesday, June 25th at 11:59pm ✨

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Are you a math coach or looking to step into a coaching role? If so, learning from other math coaches is a great way to build your skills as a coach.

In this episode, I'm interviewing one of the greatest math coaches, Nicora Placa, on her approach to collaborative math coaching, creating learning environments for teachers to hone their craft, and her book filled with tools and practical tips for math coaches.

We are chatting about: 

• What collaborative coaching is
• Nicora's 6 tools for collaborative math coaching
• Answering FAQs from math coaches

Connect with Nicora:
http://nicoraplaca.com
Twitter/ X–  NicoraPlaca

You might also like:
Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

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