In today's episode, Meghan Froman joins to talk all about how she has built an incredible classroom full of mathematical thinkers. From incorporating math discourse to encouraging productive struggle, Meghan has created a space that gives her students room to grow, learn, and thrive. 

Whether you're looking to reduce math anxiety in your classroom, create more meaningful student interactions, or help your students develop deeper mathematical understanding, Meghan's wisdom offers a roadmap for nurturing confident, capable mathematical thinkers. 

Remember when math was just a worksheet filled with problems to solve? For our youngest learners, mathematics can—and should—be so much more. In this enlightening conversation with Jill Rosenblum, Product Manager at Curriculum Associates, we dive into the transformative power of early mathematical exposure for pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students.

What makes this approach so powerful is how it builds confidence from the very beginning. When children see math as "part of the world" rather than something separate that's "hard for some and easy for others," they develop positive relationships with mathematical thinking. This early confidence serves as a foundation that can prevent the math anxiety many adults experience. Jill emphasizes the importance of open-ended questions—asking children what they notice or observe about patterns, quantities, or shapes—rather than focusing exclusively on right or wrong answers. This approach celebrates mathematical thinking as a natural part of exploring and understanding the world.

Whether you're a pre-K teacher looking for practical strategies to incorporate more mathematics into your classroom or a parent wanting to nurture mathematical thinking at home, this episode offers valuable insights into making math approachable, engaging, and joyful for our youngest learners. 

Step into Room 121, where kindergarten teacher Brooke Schmidt has spent 15 years perfecting the art of engaging early learners through discourse, community building, and celebration of mistakes. In today's episode, Brooke reveals how she creates a classroom environment that serves as both a rigorous learning space and a safe haven for her young students.

From day one, Brooke establishes strong foundations through intentional communication strategies, which you can start applying in your own classroom today! This communication framework extends into content areas throughout the year, building her students' confidence in expressing their understanding and asking questions.

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Toby Mitchell, a 4th Grade General/Special Education Teacher from Hawaii, joins this episode of The Extraordinary Educators Podcast to share all about his experience with incorporating metacognition into his daily classroom routines! Toby began by taking a step back in thinking about what "I don't know" really means, and how he can help his students dive deeper into that. 

In today's episode, Toby shares a few great strategies you can start using in your classroom now to help create an environment based in metacognition, and, in turn, help your students understand why they think what they think. 

Read the blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Today's episode features an exciting guest, joining to celebrate Teacher Appreciation -- Kelly Sia, CEO of Curriculum Associates. In this episode, Kelly shares all about her respect and admiration for teachers across the country. Starting with her own elementary school teachers leaving a lasting impact, to now seeing how her own children's teachers guide them, Kelly talks about keeping her admiration for teachers, and valuing their voices, at the forefront of her day-to-day. She wraps up with some wonderful words of gratitude for educators everywhere. Give this episode a listen wherever you get your podcasts, and make sure to leave us a review! 

Read Kelly's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/teacher-appreciation-week
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Get ready to unlock the secrets of making math relatable and engaging for middle schoolers with insights from Liz Peyser, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Liz shares her groundbreaking survey findings that reveal how hands-on activities and connecting math topics to students' personal interests can transform the learning experience. Discover how you can incorporate creative techniques like using manipulatives to visualize concepts and record procedures in a way that not only aligns with curriculum standards but also makes math fun and accessible. Liz offers a practical approach to transitioning from rote learning to meaningful understanding, a strategy that has won over educators across the board.

Join us as we dive into the logistics of optimizing classroom setups to foster teamwork and collaboration among students. Liz explains the power of working in pairs and how strategic furniture arrangements can enhance group activities. Gain valuable tips on how to make math lessons more relatable by linking them to students' passions, whether it's through sports, music, or other interests. This episode is packed with practical advice and real-life examples, providing inspiration and actionable steps for educators eager to ignite a love for math in their classrooms.

Unlock the secrets to enhancing instructional programs with research-driven strategies and collaborative insights. Join us as we introduce our new co-host, Hayley Browning, who brings her rich experience as a former elementary school teacher and current role on the Educator Community team at Curriculum Associates. Together, we dive into a compelling discussion with Kate Gasaway, a Research Marketing Manager at Curriculum Associates, who sheds light on the crucial role of implementation fidelity in education. With her invaluable expertise, Kate highlights the significance of setting clear goals and understanding implementation guidelines to ensure success in the classroom.

Kate's innovative approach emphasizes the power of collaboration among teachers. By recognizing and leveraging the strengths of colleagues, educators can streamline their practices, adopting proven systems without reinventing the wheel. Learn how monitoring student progress and analyzing research-backed trends can lead to improved educational outcomes, benefiting both teachers and students. Don't miss out on this episode packed with actionable strategies and insights designed to transform your classroom experience.

Read Kate's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/implementation-fidelity-in-education
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Unlock the transformative power of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in schools with insights from our esteemed guest, Dr. Pendleton, Regional Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Discover how creating a safe and collaborative environment empowers teachers to enhance their skills and positively impacts student achievement. Dr. Pendleton shares her strategies for gaining buy-in from the school community and highlights practical, high-interest topics that teachers can implement immediately in their classrooms. This episode promises to equip you with actionable insights to foster a culture of continuous learning and accountability among educators.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ever wondered how one person's advocacy can reshape educational policies and create lasting change for students and their families? Hear from Debbie Smith, Vice President of Government Relations at Curriculum Associates, as she shares her compelling journey of advocating for her son and how it sparked a broader movement for change within school districts. Learn the strategies she employed, from leveraging research to engaging with key decision-makers, and discover how you, too, can become an effective advocate for improvement in your educational community.

Beyond individual advocacy, Debbie dives into the power of collaboration among educators, highlighting the importance of mutual support in professional development. Join us for an episode filled with practical advice and inspiring stories that illuminate the transformative power of dedicated advocacy and collaboration.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Unlock the secrets to classroom engagement that go beyond academics, setting up students for real-world success! Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brian Benavides, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as he shares his experiences from diverse school districts. Together, we explore the power of teaching essential life skills like turn-taking and conversation extension, and the crucial practice of resetting social skills after breaks. These strategies not only energize classroom environments but also elevate students' communication skills, preparing them to thrive both in school and in life.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!