Math Chat

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What questions do you need to ask during math? And no, you don't need a long list of questions to have great math discussions in your classroom. 

This episode is about simplifying the questions you ask during math and listening to student responses to gauge their level of understanding. 

We are talking about:

• 3 simple questions to ask students
• Student examples
• How asking questions can help our students think deeply about math

Links mentioned in this episode:

Word Problem Workshop
Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

Other episodes you might like:

107: Math Discussions: 3 Ways to Get Students to Engage

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

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Do you want to do LESS as a teacher? 

This episode is about how doing less as a teacher can help our students to do more - while using our time to make the biggest impact possible. 

We are chatting about: 

1. How talking less will give students more time to talk
2. When you do less (like giving less problems) students can focus on thinking deeply about one or two problems
3. Supporting students less allows students to build skills to productively struggle and be empowered to see what they CAN do.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Research article on accountable talk 

Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics

5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class MonaMath.com/ebook

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.

Work With Me in 2024-25 School Year

Join the Webinar on May 16 at 3:30pm cst where I’ll be sharing my services and a glimpse into working with Chicago Math Group (my math coaching agency). 

Register for the webinar here: Monamath.com/Webinar

In the webinar I'll cover:a glimpse at the work I've done with schools from K to High School

1. a full run down of the services I offer
2. a price list
3. a simple way to get started working together

Don't miss this opportunity to make your schools' math goals a reality in 24-25 school year!

Join today by clicking HERE!

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Have you ever had a math conference with a student when you ask them to describe their thinking and you are met with a blank stare?

This episode is about effective math conferences during grapple time. We need a plan for our math conferences and I'm sharing 5 simple steps to make your math conferences productive and empowering for students!

In this episode we will chat about: 

• 5 ways to get students talking and participating in math conferences
• Simple phrases to prompt students to share their thinking 
• Frequently asked questions about math conferences like: "How many conferences can you realistically do in a day?" 

Links mentioned in this episode:

“In the Moment, Conferring in the Elementary Math Classroom” by Jen Munson

"Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching the Small Group" by Juli Dixion, Lisa A. Brooks, and Melissa R. Carli

Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

Other episodes you might like:

102: Talk Less So Students Talk More

92: Use Purposeful Techniques for Math Discussions, an Interview with Paola Sztajn

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

Are you a primary teacher implementing Building Thinking Classrooms? I have the expert you want to know on the show today!! Maegan Giroux is the co-author of the about-to-release Building Thinking Classroom Tasks book for elementary! 

Even if you haven't started implementing Building Thinking Classrooms, Maegan is a dream to know! She is passionate about helping students become mathematicians through sense making and thinking. 

You will feel empowered to get your students thinking after you listen to today's episode with Maegan. 

In this episode we will chat about: 

1. task types and choice 
2. curriculum tasks vs. non-curriculum tasks 
3. scaffolding tasks for learners while maintaining rigor 

About our guest, Maegan Giroux:

Maegan had an unexpected journey to being a kindergarten teacher. As a middle school math teacher, Maegan loves the opportunity to also teach the youngest students because of the unpredictability and joy they bring each day! For the past 18 months Maegan and Peter Liljedhal have been working on a book full of tasks ready to use in your classroom. Set to release any day! 

Building Thinking Classroom: 

📙 Get your copy here 

💻 Facebook Group Here 

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

Work With Me in 2024-25 School Year

Join the Webinar on May 16 at 3:30pm cst where I’ll be sharing my services and a glimpse into working with Chicago Math Group (my math coaching agency). 

Register for the webinar here: Monamath.com/Webinar

In the webinar I'll cover:a glimpse at the work I've done with schools from K to High School

1. a full run down of the services I offer
2. a price list
3. a simple way to get started working together

Don't miss this opportunity to make your schools' math goals a reality in 24-25 school year! 

Join today by clicking HERE!

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

Send us Fan Mail

Do you hear people talking about "New Math," but you're at a loss for how to convince them it's not so bad? 

This episode is about getting your school community on board with "New Math." It's good for kids, so we've all got to give it our best shot. 

In this episode we will chat about: 

• How School culture plays a role in New Math 
• The approach to take when trying something new 
• Questions to ask to shift your math culture 

Other episodes you might like: 

Learning Labs (Episode 42) 

Teacher Leader for Math Culture (episode 34) 

Links Mentioned: 

Monamath.com/Webinar

Work with me in 2024-25

Join me on May 16 at 3:30 pm CST where I’ll be sharing my services and a glimpse into working with Chicago Math Group (my math coaching agency). Register for the webinar here: Monamath.com/Webinar

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

🤩 "Make Struggle Productive" Challenge starting March 7th!

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Standardized Test Stress is REAL. Today we're chatting about 3 ideas you can implement now to reduce standardized test stress.

In this episode we will chat about: 

1. Our goals for standardized tests 
2. 3 ways to empower students 
3. easy to implement ideas to use in the classroom now 

Links Mentioned: 

MonaMath.com/TestPrep

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

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There is no point in having a math discussion if students aren’t listening to each other. 
It is a pointless, waste of time. 

You’re probably like dang, Mona, that’s harsh. And it is. But I don’t want you wasting your time if it’s not paying off. You don’t have extra time. I know that and I want whatever you’re doing to be well worth your time. 

I will say that math discussions are the best way to ensure students are able to communicate their thinking and deeply engage in complex math. 

Math discussions are my FAVORITE instructional strategies. 

📣 Don't miss this episode all about how to get your students to listen during math discussions! 

In this episode we will chat about: 

• ways to get your students to participate in math
• how students can participate
• using silent signals in the math classroom

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

Send us Fan Mail

Are you an upper grade teacher that is struggling to help your students engage with math meaningfully and build an understanding of math concepts?? Things like multiplying or dividing fractions. If so, this is the podcast episode for you!

Even if you aren't struggling, you will love my chat with Brittany who is the teacher behind Mix and Math. She is passionate about helping teachers grow their understanding of the math concepts they teach.

You will feel empowered after you listen to today's episode with Brittany. 

In this episode we will chat about: 

• using representation in math
• changing the culture of using manipulatives in the math classroom
• types of representation 

About our guest, Brittany Hege

Brittany Hege is a math educator who has worked with students and teachers in both upper elementary and middle grades. She holds a master's degree in Elementary Mathematics Education and is passionate about helping teachers grow their understanding of the math concepts they teach. Brittany believes in the power of experiencing math through hands-on work and uses her platform, Mix and Math, to equip upper elementary teachers with the knowledge and confidence to inspire a generation of empowered math learners. 

 
💻 Brittany Hege Website

Links:

¼ How to Teach Multiplying Fractions with Pattern Blocks - YouTube Training

📧 Click HERE to Opt In to Newsletter

📕 Book Study Club with Brittany on Facebook

📘 Mathemetize It! 

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

Send us Fan Mail

Teacher professional learning is something I am passionate about and I bet you are too. 

As a teacher, professional learning is part of who you are, a life long learner. So, when presented with professional learning opportunities and coaching I bet you have opinions. 

On today’s episode we’re going to dive into what it looks like to develop as a math educator in the context of professional learning and coaching in the math classroom.

In this episode we will chat about: 

• myths and truths about professional learning
• how much PD is needed to make a difference in students
• funding options for professional learning

Articles Mentioned: 

1️⃣  Dispelling the Myths: What Research Says about Professional Learning

2️⃣  Reviewing the Evidence on How Teacher Professional Development Affects Student Achievement

Funding Options: 

• NCTM
• NEA

 📧 Message me on Instagram (@hellomonamath) or Email me ([email protected]) to get a comprehensive list of grands and funding opportunities once it's ready! 

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

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Do you have a range of needs in your classroom? Are your students at different levels?

As a 3rd grade teacher I was often teaching students who were still figuring out place value between hundreds and tens, while I had others who understood adding 3 digit numbers. It made it difficult to differentiate to meet everyone’s needs.
 
How do you think about differentiation in math?

📣 Listen to this episode to learn how I changing my thinking...in a BIG way to make differentiation more meaningful in the math classroom.

In this episode we will chat about: 

• not labeling students anymore
• letting every students participate in math thinking
• have students make decisions in learning math

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