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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

How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum

May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom 

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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

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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

How to Increase Student Confidence in Math without Changing Your Curriculum

May 7, 2026 at 11:30 Central - Zoom 

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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.

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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: 

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

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

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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: 

1. Creating entrance routines
2. Having discussion structures
3. 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.

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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.

Send us Fan Mail

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