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In today’s episode, we’re talking about comparison problems: what they are, why they’re tricky, and how we can help students build strategies to solve them.

We’re gonna start today’s episode with a problem. Omar made 22 baskets during practice. He made 9 more baskets than Eli. How many baskets did Eli make?

This is a comparison problem and there are 3 types of comparison problems we can use with students. And they are all hard! 

We are chatting about: 

• Different types of comparison problems
• Student strategies
• Tips for planning and facilitating this work in your classroom

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Waitlist for Word Problem Workshop Book

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Imagine a student looking at you, frustrated, saying, 'I don’t get it.' It’s tempting to step in and rescue them, right?

Today, we’re talking about productive struggle—why it’s a game-changer for math classrooms and how to make it happen without letting kids flounder.

We are chatting about: 

• What productive struggle is
• Why it's important to let students struggle in the math classroom
• How to foster productive struggle 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Principles to Actions

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Welcome back to Math Chat! Today’s episode is all about how we can break free from the script and let our students lead. 

Today’s episode is going to require a shift in teacher mindset. So, if you are like me and a bit of a control freak, Type A if you will… then I’m talking to you. Letting go of control can actually help students learn more in math. I know it’s hard, but it is essential to day’s big idea. 

We are chatting about: 

• What student-centered learning in math is
• Why this approach to teaching math works
• How to do this and do it well

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Connecting the NCTM Process Standards and the CCSSM Practices
• Word Problem Workshop

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

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If you've ever seen the spark in a student's eyes when they really get the joy of solving a tough problem, you know what I mean when I say math can be joyful. It’s all about creating the right environment.

Today, Pi day, we're serving up a slice of math joy by diving into how we can make problem-solving the most joyful part of our math classrooms.

We are chatting about: 

• What makes problem solving joyful
• Why use problem solving in math class
• How can we create joyful problem-solving in our classrooms

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Principles to Actions
• Word Problem Workshop
• When Sophie Thinks She Can't...

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

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How do we create classroom communities that includes and values each member's expertise? In this episode, I'm sharing my NCTM session with you on empowering learners through math discourse.

We're chatting about: 

• How to partner with our students in math discussions to leverage each student's insights
• Strategies for teachers to use to build a strong math culture that supports mathematical discourse
• 3 student stories and examples of strategies I used to empower them to engage in math discussions

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Word Problem Workshop
• Cultivating Mathematical Hearts by Maria del Rosario Zavala, Julia Maria Aguirre
• A quote from an article titled “Student Representations at the Center: Promoting Classroom Equity” by Imm, Stylianou, and Chae 2008
• Choosing to See By Pamela Seda & Kyndall Brown
• My example video with Nairobi
• Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

While take a break from the podcast to write my book, enjoy these episodes: 

• Episode 85 with John SanGiovanni 
• Episodes 93 & 96 with Peter Liljedahl 
• Episode 73 Best First Week Activities (you can do these anytime) 
• Episode 107 Math Discussions: 3 Ways to Get Students Engaged 
• Episode 102: Talk less so students will talk more 
• Episode 97: 6 Ways to Love Teaching Math 
• Episode 82: Say This to Parents to Explain “New Math” 
• Episode 2: What is Student Centered Math (A look inside my classroom) 

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

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How do we get students to show their reasoning in our math classroom community? On today's episode, I'm sharing about a simple way to build community & student confidence with a simple lesson plan straight from my favorite research based instructional practice... Word Problem Workshop!

We are chatting about: 

• What is a math community & why it matters 
• The elements of the lesson plan 
• How each element builds an essential skill for our students' Social Emotional Development!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 🆓 Guide to Engaging Math Discussion
• Word Problem Workshop
• 110: Building Thinking Classroom with Maegan Giroux

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

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Are your students thinking deeply about math concepts? Today we are talking about having research-based instructional strategies for math to create student-centered classrooms. 

We are chatting about: 

• Why research based instruction matters
• The research Word Problem Workshop is based on 
• How you can have peace of mind knowing that the strategies and routines you are using in your classroom are based on research

You might also like:

• 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class
• Children’s Mathematics Cognitively Guided Instruction
• 124: Word Problem Workshop - What is it & Why you need it this school year

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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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

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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.

Send us a text

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: 

1. What counting collections are and how they can be used for K-5 students
2. How to integrate fractions and decimals content into counting collections in upper elementary grades
3. 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