Today we’re diving into a hot topic in education: homework in the elementary grades. Many educators have strong opinions about homework, one way or the other. In today’s discussion, we will unpack what research tells us about homework, reflect on common issues associated with homework, and explore ways we can make it more meaningful for our students.

Homework is one of the most debated topics in elementary education. Should we assign it? How much is too much? And what kind of homework is actually helpful for young learners? For many educators, these questions remain a constant source of uncertainty.

In this episode, we examine what research says about homework in the early grades and explore common challenges. You’ll also hear practical strategies for designing homework that is purposeful, flexible, and meaningful, even when time and expectations vary. However you currently approach homework, this episode offers thoughtful guidance to help you make informed decisions that support both students and families.

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Like most teachers, you probably administer a beginning-of-the-year assessment (BOYA). Too often, BOYAs become something we do just because it’s expected. We administer the test, we check the box, and we move on. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing BOYAs as a requirement, we saw them as an opportunity to really understand what our students need to succeed in math? An opportunity to move beyond just getting the right answer and towards fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Press play to dig in!

How we start the school year sets the tone for student learning, yet many early assessments fall short of capturing what our students truly know and can do. This episode explores how to move beyond traditional beginning-of-year math assessments that focus on rote procedures and instead embrace practices that highlight student thinking, reasoning, and mathematical understanding.

Discover practical alternatives to standard assessments, and learn how these strategies can offer meaningful insights into student thinking, while also creating a positive, low-pressure learning environment from day one.

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Ready for Part 2? Too often, we move students through manipulatives, drawings, and number sentences without ever slowing down to help them make connections between these different representations. In this episode, we go beyond identifying the five representations in Lesh’s Translation Model and talk about how to build bridges between them.

You’ll hear how translating within and across representations can deepen understanding, spark rich math talk, and support all learners. There is so much magic that comes from connecting representations, so let's dig in and get started!

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How do students build true understanding in math — the kind that lets them connect ideas, solve unfamiliar problems, and explain their thinking with clarity? In this episode, we explore a powerful framework that helps make that possible: Lesh’s Translation Model.

You’ll hear how this model invites students to work across multiple representations of math ideas, and why those connections matter so much for deep, durable learning. Whether you’re new to this idea or already thinking about how students represent their math thinking, this episode offers a fresh lens to help them make meaning and not just get answers.

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Many of us use the terms Number Talk and Math Talk interchangeably, but did you know they’re not actually the same thing? Maybe you knew, but still aren’t exactly sure what makes them different. Either way, we’ve got you covered. 

In this episode, we zero in on what truly defines a Number Talk, why the differences between a Number Talk and Math Talk matter, and how understanding these distinctions can unlock deeper thinking, more strategic reasoning, and greater number sense in your students.

Press play, and get ready to bring both types of talks to life in ways that support student learning.

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This week, we're focusing on powerful math routines to start your school year! We'll explore a variety of research-backed routines designed to captivate your students, deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts, and streamline your classroom management. Whether you're a veteran teacher or new to math instruction, these routines will help you set the tone for a successful, enriching year in math!

Some routines can shape the way students think, talk, and engage with math. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore powerful routines that lay the foundation for deep understanding, flexible thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. 

These routines can be introduced at the start of the year or added in later, but no matter when you begin, they offer meaningful ways to build essential math habits and strengthen classroom culture.

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Let’s take a closer look at the equal sign and how complex this concept actually is. In this episode, we will discuss the meaning of the equal sign, the misconceptions students have about the symbol, why those misconceptions occur, and what we can do about it!

What does it really mean to understand the equal sign? For many students, this tiny symbol carries a big misunderstanding. It is often seen as a cue to calculate rather than a signal of relationship or balance. That misconception may seem small, but it can have lasting effects on how students make sense of equations and build readiness for algebra.

This episode explores how early experiences shape our students’ understanding of equality. We will look at how small shifts in classroom routines, language, and materials can create clarity and deeper reasoning.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever been surprised by how complex the equal sign can be for young learners and is ready to help build a deeper understanding from the very beginning.

Mentioned in this episode:

✅Wisconsin Center for Educational Research

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Today we will be tackling a topic that several of you have said you want to learn more about: The CRA model, (Concrete Representational Abstract). Unfortunately, many teachers learned math in the abstract. However, now we get to create opportunities to build student understanding with concrete experiences, and make meaning of the math. It's exciting stuff, so press play!

It’s one thing for students to memorize a math fact, but it’s another thing entirely for them to understand it. When students rely on abstract symbols alone, their learning can feel disconnected, temporary, and fragile.

That’s where the CRA model (Concrete, Representational, Abstract) comes in. In this episode, we explore how this powerful approach helps students build deep, lasting understanding by connecting hands-on experiences, visual thinking, and symbolic reasoning.

You’ll hear how CRA can shift the way students think about math, and why this isn’t just a “primary grades” strategy. We’ll talk about what it looks like in practice, how to get started without feeling overwhelmed, and how this one framework can transform the way your students make sense of math.

Links mentioned in this episode:

✅ Math Practice 2

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Subitizing is a powerful way to build multiplication fluency with your students because it gives them an opportunity to visualize strategies that can help them quickly recall unknown facts. For many students, subitizing feels a lot less scary and a lot more fun than flashcards, or other more traditional forms of fluency practice. So press play and let's dig into HOW to use subitizing to build fact fluency with your students!

Traditional approaches to math fact fluency often emphasize speed and memorization, but there are more meaningful ways to support student learning. This episode explores how subitizing, a visual strategy commonly used in the early grades, can be extended to build multiplication fluency through pattern recognition and numerical reasoning.

Learn how intentional visual routines can strengthen number sense and help students internalize multiplication facts through understanding, not rote recall. This discussion offers practical insights for teachers looking to make fluency work more engaging and effective across the elementary grades.

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Subitizing is an important skill that helps lay the foundation of understanding wholes and parts, which evolves into addition, subtraction, and later multiplication and division. In this episode, we’ll discuss the two types of subitizing, dig into ways we can encourage these skills, and understand the natural progression of subitizing skills to follow with your students. Sound good? The press play!

In this episode, we explore how the ability to instantly recognize quantities without counting supports deep mathematical understanding. This foundation matters not just in the moment, but across a child’s development. From early number sense to part-whole relationships and fluency with operations, subitizing lays critical groundwork.

We take a closer look at how these ideas unfold over time, how to support them intentionally, and how to spot what your students’ strategies reveal about their understanding and fluency development.

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