Math Chat

By Mona IehlScience Education How To Mathematics

Math Chat episodes

July 29, 2024123: Curriculum vs. Teacher Created - The Pros & Cons
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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.
13 min
July 22, 2024122: Schoolwide math norms you need!
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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
11 min
July 15, 2024121: What is student-centered learning?
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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!
20 min
July 08, 2024120: Want a math coach or Math PD but can't afford it? Do this!
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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
12 min
July 01, 2024119: Math Teacher Power Moves to Empower Mathematicians
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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!
14 min
June 24, 2024118: The Opposite of I Do, We Do, You Do in Math Class
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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 ✨
20 min
June 17, 2024117: Collaborative Math Coaching with Nicora Placa
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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
About our guest, Nicora Placa:

Nicora Placa is an assistant professor in mathematics education at Hunter College. Previously, she taught elementary and middle school mathematics in New York City. She is passionate about supporting teachers, honoring their expertise, and creating learning opportunities for them to hone their craft. Her first book “6 Tools for Collaborative Mathematics Coaching” was published by Stenhouse in 2023. She also serves as Coaching Coordinator on the NCSM Leadership in Mathematics Education Board.

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
40 min
June 10, 2024116: Simple Steps to Help Students Access the Math Word Problem
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Do you have students who struggle to access word problems in math? The truth is our students struggle to get started on word problems because they don’t have access.

This episode breaks down what access to word problems is and simple ways we can help our students get started with a three-step routine.

We are talking about:
What a launch routine is
The steps in a launch routine
How to tailor the launch routine to meet your students' needs
Links mentioned in this episode:

Launch: Word Problems (A Virtual PD Experience)
Word Problem Workshop

You might also like...

5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
Principles to Action: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All
84: Productive Struggle: Building Confident Problem Solvers

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.
11 min
June 03, 2024115: Trigger Warning for People Entering My Thinking Classroom
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Are you looking to create a math classroom that allows students to lead even as visitors come in?

In this episode, we are talking about my rules for others as they enter my classroom. These rules allow my students to have the opportunity to lead the thinking and doing of math without being rescued too soon by an on-looker.

We're talking about:
How a student-centered classroom looks in math
Why and how students should lead in a math classroom
The 3 rules I have for people entering my classroom (download them here for free!)
Links mentioned in this episode:

5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
Math Rules for your classroom

Other episodes you might like:

93: Consolidation with Peter Liljeddahl, author of Building Thinking Classrooms

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.
11 min
May 27, 2024114: Practical Teaching Ideas for Teaching Black History 365, an Interview with Dawnavyn James of @QueendomTeaching
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Are you looking for practical ideas for teaching Black history in your classroom? I have the perfect interview for you about how to incorporate past and present Black history into your classroom from a teacher who truly understands the classroom perspective.

This episode is about teaching Black history year around, not only during Black History Month and practical, simple ways to incorporate it in your classroom.

In this episode we'll chat about:
The purpose of Black History Month
Teaching Black history year around
Practical tips for incorporating Black history into your math block
About our guest, Dawnavyn James:

Dawnavyn James is an early childhood, elementary, and Black history educator, emerging scholar, and Black history researcher. She promotes the importance of Black history education in early childhood and elementary classrooms and is the author of Beyond February: Teaching Black History Any Day, Every Day, and All Year Long which centers her experiences teaching Black histories in elementary classrooms. Dawnavyn is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University at Buffalo and is a fellow at the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education.

Connect with Dawnavyn:
Instagram: @QueendomTeaching
Beyond February
Also check out:
Math Person Bulletin Board

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.

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
39 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…