In this episode, Christina Tondevold welcomes special guest Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love and creator of popular games like Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dot. Dan shares his three essential principles for effectively implementing mathematical games in the classroom: games should involve meaningful choices, math should be the engine driving the gameplay, and games should be simple to learn and quick to play. Through personal stories and classroom examples, Dan and Christina explore how games transform math from a dreaded chore into an engaging learning experience. The episode concludes with a demonstration of the "31 Game," a simple yet strategic counting game that exemplifies how mathematical play can build number sense, encourage strategic thinking, and create a classroom culture where students aren't afraid to show what they don't know. Perfect for educators looking to reinvigorate their math instruction between standardized testing periods!

Join the Build Math Minds PD site to access the Mini Courses

https://buildmathminds.com/bmm/ 

Dan’s website Math For Love

https://mathforlove.com/ 

Dan’s game Prime Climb

https://amzn.to/3Y3jN5y 

Dan’s game Tiny Polka Dot

https://amzn.to/44sfRiI 

In this final episode of our three-part series on upleveling missing part activities, I share ways to transform two popular math games: Salute and Number Sandwiches. Learn how to modify these traditional games to help your students build a deeper understanding of number relationships through missing part problems. These upleveled versions create opportunities for students to work with equivalent expressions while maintaining the fun and engagement of game-based learning. Perfect for elementary math teachers looking to enhance their daily math lessons with games that challenge students to think more deeply about mathematical relationships.

In this second installment of our three-part series on Missing Part Activities, we explore 'repackaging tasks' - a powerful approach to traditional missing part word problems. While educators are familiar with finding unknown parts in word problems like “Christina has $12, she spends some now she has $7.  How much did she spend?”, repackaging tasks push mathematical thinking further by having students redistribute quantities across equivalent expressions. Through practical examples in both multiplication and addition contexts, I demonstrate how these problems help students develop a deeper understanding of equality, number properties, and flexible thinking strategies. Learn how incorporating these enhanced word problems alongside your regular curriculum builds stronger mathematical minds.

Part 1 is Episode 195 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZKctj2pns  

In this episode, we explore how to elevate your 'Missing Part' math activities beyond the basic type like 5 + __ = 12' into more problems that help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical equality and build foundational number properties. Get a quick way to implement these enhanced activities in your classroom. Perfect for elementary educators looking to strengthen their students' mathematical thinking without explicitly teaching formal properties. This is the first in a three-part series on upleveling Missing Part activities for more meaningful math instruction.

In this episode, we explore the common misconception about mental math in mathematics education. Featuring insights from Pam Harris' newly published book 'Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms,' we discuss why mental math isn't about doing calculations without paper—it's about developing quality thinking strategies. 

In this episode, I follow up on last week's introduction to the Lesh Translation Model with an important caution. While I previously shared a template for The Translation Task, today I explore concerns raised by John Mason in the 1987 book "Problems of Representation in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics." Mason warns that frameworks like the Lesh Model can become "mechanical schemes for generating yet more useless student activity" when implemented without proper attention. I offer two specific ways to prevent this template from becoming routine and mindless.  This episode emphasizes the importance of thoughtful implementation over mechanical application of educational frameworks. For more information and to download the Translation Task Template, visit BuildMathMinds.com/193.

In Episode 192, "A Math Task All Teachers Should be Doing," I discuss the Lesh Translation Model, a powerful framework that was frequently featured at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. This model, which dates back to 1979 but was highlighted in NCTM's 2014 book "Principles to Actions," identifies five different ways to represent mathematical concepts: Manipulatives (objects), Realistic (real-life contexts), Pictorial (drawings), Language (verbal descriptions), and Symbolic (numbers/equations). I explain how these representations are interconnected and how developing multiple representations helps students build a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The episode introduces the Translation Task, where students are given one representation of a concept and asked to create the other representations. Grab the free download of the Translation Task template at BuildMathMinds.com/192 to start doing the task immediately with your students to strengthen mathematical understanding through multiple representations.

Get a look into the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's six live sessions that are transforming mathematics instruction in classrooms across the country. This episode captures the essence of innovative teaching approaches from some of the most influential voices in math education today.

Discover how Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux are revolutionizing classrooms with their "Building Thinking Classrooms" approach, including their counterintuitive advice to create "bad examples" that spark genuine problem-solving. Listen as Pam Harris demonstrates how simple "helper problems" can build powerful number relationships without relying on mindless algorithms.

You'll gain practical insights from Shannon Olson on effectively connecting the five types of mathematical representations, and witness Kim Rimbey's fascinating exploration of how ten frames can develop deep place value understanding across all grade levels. NCTM President Latrenda Knighten shares engaging strategies for incorporating children's literature and instructional routines to enhance mathematical discourse, while Ann Elise Record demonstrates why visual models are far more effective than the misleading "keyword" approach for tackling word problems.

This episode isn't just about theory—it's packed with classroom-tested strategies you can implement immediately to deepen your students' mathematical understanding and confidence. 

Show Notes:

1. Building Thinking Classrooms through non-examples and "just-in-time" teaching

2. Moving beyond algorithms to develop mathematical relationships

3. Connecting contextual, physical, visual, symbolic, and verbal representations

4. Using ten frames to develop place value understanding across grade levels

5. Enhancing mathematical discourse through children's literature and instructional routines

6. Visual modeling approaches for word problems that transcend "keyword" strategies

Featured Speakers: Building Thinking Classrooms Peter Liljedahl & Maegan Giroux, Pam Harris, Shannon Olson, Kim Rimbey, NCTM President Latrenda Knighten, and Ann Elise Record

Note: March 3rd is the last day to watch the 2025 Virtual Math Summit sessions for free. Extended access is available through BuildMathMinds.com/bmm 

Get a look at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's equity-focused sessions. This episode weaves together insights from leading voices in mathematics education who are transforming how we teach math to ensure every student succeeds. Featuring compelling data and classroom examples from Dr. Pamela Seda, Christina Lincoln-Moore, Dawn Dibley, and Susan Jo Russell & Deborah Schifter, you'll discover how to create truly inclusive math classrooms where all students can thrive.

Learn why traditional teaching approaches aren't serving all students, how to recognize and nurture mathematical brilliance in every child, and practical strategies for implementing Universal Design for Learning in your math instruction. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or administrator, this episode will challenge your thinking about equity in mathematics education and provide concrete steps for creating positive change.

This isn't just another conversation about equity - it's a call to action backed by research, classroom examples, and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Don't miss these powerful insights:

• The urgency for change in mathematics education

• Recognizing and nurturing student brilliance

• Universal Design for Learning in mathematics

• Creating space for student voice and mathematical thinking

Featured Speakers: Dr. Pamela Seda, Christina Lincoln-Moore, Dawn Dibley, Susan Jo Russell & Deborah Schifter

Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch the full versions of these sessions through March 3rd.

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/190  

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds 

Get four powerful strategies for making mathematics engaging and accessible for elementary students from expert presenters at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Dr. Raj Shah reveals the psychology of engagement through video game design principles, while Kristin Acosta demonstrates how to use everyday images to spark mathematical discussions. Jeff Gobin shows how digital manipulatives can make abstract concepts concrete, and Tyler Tarver shares research on leveraging educational videos effectively in mathematics instruction. Whether you're looking to increase student participation, reduce math anxiety, or create more engaging lessons, this episode provides practical, research-based strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom. Learn how to meet students where they are while guiding them toward deeper mathematical understanding through visual, digital, and traditional approaches to learning.

Featured Speakers: Dr. Raj Shah, Kristen Acosta, Jeff Gobin, and Tyler Tarver

Discover how to transform your math instruction and make mathematics accessible and engaging for all students. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch the full versions of these sessions February 22nd & 23rd.

Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/ 

Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade 

To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/189  

To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds