Teaching That "Counts"

Here it is! Part 2 of my conversation with Peter Liljedahl, author of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. We continue our discussion by talking about non-curricular tasks. Peter outlines the importance of non-curricular tasks used on a regular basis and the best times in the school year to give non-curricular tasks. We also talk about homework and how teachers can work within school systems that require them to give or grade homework. This is a great discussion you don't want to miss!

He's back! Peter Liljedahl, the renowned author of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, returns to the podcast! Join us for part 1 of this "super-sized" conversation with Peter as we discuss success stories from teachers and students in Thinking Classrooms. Peter describes the power of success for teachers. He also describes why cards is the better way to go when randomizing student groups instead of digital randomization tools. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

We are back!! It so exciting to be going into SEASON 3! In this first episode of the new season, I welcome one of our "teachers on special assignment" (and technology teacher), Melissa Marcucci, to the podcast. We talk about her work in our district's college and career ready initiative and discuss our takeaways from a California State University Symposium we attended focused on preparing students for college level mathematics. Let me tell you...the important skills students should know going into college mathematics may not be the same as high school teachers have historically emphasized. This is a great episode for secondary teachers that are interested in hearing about what they can focus on in their math classes to get students ready for their future!

In this episode, I am joined by our fabulous continuation high school math teacher, Diana Andrade. Both Diana and I attended the California Math Council (CMC) Central Symposium in March and finally were able to get together to have a discussion of the highlights and learnings from the conference. It was, by far, one of the best small conferences that I have attended! Join us as we discuss some new insights from Peter Liljedahl on Building Thinking Classrooms, visual patterns and making meaningful connections from Fawn Nguyen, numeracy "tricks" from Howie Hua, problems strings from Pam Harris and other math teaching gems that we picked up from the conference. We'll also talk about the importance if productive struggle and how Diana uses it with her students at the alternative high school. This is a great (but long) discussion that you don't want to miss!

In this podcast I highlight our AP Bootcamp that we held during Spring Break. Students came in during their vacation to review AP math and get ready for their weeks-long review and preparation for their AP Exams. After describing this, I get into the main conversation of this podcast. I am joined by the author of "Treating Mathematics Anxiety" and the founder of Elephant Learning which produces math education courses and software that specializes in getting kids from Pre-K to Algebra caught up to grade level. We have a great conversation about the structures and "passed along" culture that continue to create math anxiety in children, as well as ways that parents, teachers and districts can help students become more confident in math. Join us as we talk about getting students to their "next shot!"

In this episode, I am joined by high school math teacher, Grant McCormick, for a discussion of how he uses technology in his "thinking classroom". Like many school districts, students in his class are issued a chromebook. There are so many digital tools accessible using the chromebooks that can support students' mathematical learning, but the logistics of using those digital tools in a class where students are standing and working at vertical non-permanent surfaces often can be difficult to manage and navigate. Grant and I discuss some protocols and processes that have helped his students do both. Listen in and hear if there is something that could help your students utilize technology in a thinking classroom.

In this special "Bonus Episode", I am joined by district teacher and tech guru, Brian Wise. We record this episode "live" from ETC 2024, the educational technology conference put on by the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Participants in our session join the podcast to discuss using podcasts with students, using Building Thinking Classrooms in science, and uplifting student experiences and stories using podcasts. This is a fun conversation that I know you will enjoy. You may even get some recommendations for other great podcasts that may interest you!

Manipulatives are a great tool to help students connect a physical model to mathematics. Whether you're using algebra tiles, base 10 blocks, or "patty" paper, manipulatives not only bring engagement to math class, but a kinesthetic connection that many students need to see the math. If you are using the practices in "Building Thinking Classrooms in K-12 Math" by Peter Liljedahl, then you know that combining student use of manipulatives and working on vertical non-permanent surfaces can sometimes be complicated. In this episode, our district math coaches, Mel Roche and Sarah Harris, join me to talk about the work they have done with elementary teachers in using manipulatives in a BTC setting. We also talk about the much needed use of algebra tiles in the secondary level.

If you have been wondering, "how can I use manipulatives in a BTC setting", then this is the episode for you!

Back from winter break, I get the opportunity to have a great conversation with the amazing Cathy Williams! Cathy is the co-founder and Executive Director of YouCubed. She has a vast amount of experience in mathematics education, especially at the secondary level, which is one of the reasons I loved talking to her. We have a great chat about low-floor high ceiling tasks, how teaching math has and must change (as outlined in the newly adopted CA Mathematics Framework), and what we can do as leaders and coaches to support teachers in helping students get better at math. This is a conversation you can't miss!

In this episode, I have a great "catching up" conversation with one of my former principals and the founder of the RODA Leadership Consulting group, Dr. Michael DeSousa. His work over the last several years has focused on building more equitable spaces for schools and communities working with teachers, leaders, and community members to create better structures for student success. We discuss bringing a sense of belonging for our students in mathematics and our schools. We also talk about bringing more indigenous cultures into the teaching of mathematics. This is a great episode for the school leaders out there that want to learn more about building relationships with our communities.