Math Chat

193: Questions to Ask in Math Class

Send us a textWhat if the biggest shift in your math block didn’t come from a new curriculum or tool—but from the questions you ask? In this episode, I explore how intentional math questions can spark deeper thinking, richer conversations, and stronger reasoning, all while requiring teachers to talk less. If you’ve ever felt the urge to jump in and explain, this conversation will feel both challenging and freeing.You don’t need a new curriculum or a perfect lesson to transform math class. With meaningful questions, strategic silence, and a consistent routine like Word Problem Workshop, students begin to do the heavy cognitive lifting. This week’s challenge: ask one purposeful question—and then stop talking.🎧 Ready to Listen?If you want students to think more deeply and take ownership of their ideas, this episode is for you.👉 Listen to the full episode now 👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode 👉 Leave a review to help other teachers find this work

192: What Should Students Do, Say, and Think in Math Class & How We Get Them There.

Send us a textWhat should students actually be doing, saying, and thinking in math class? In this episode, I break down this essential question and shifts the focus away from pacing guides, tests, and compliance—and back to student thinking. If you want math class to feel alive, engaging, and meaningful, this conversation sets the stage.So how do we make this happen consistently? The answer isn’t more strategies or better worksheets—it’s a routine. This segment breaks down how Word Problem Workshop provides a predictable structure (Launch, Grapple, Share, Discuss, Reflect) that reliably gets students doing, talking, and thinking about math without relying on scripted lessons or high-level curriculum materials.📘 Don't have time to read a book?? Join the Support Circle! 🎧 Ready to Listen?If you’re ready to build a math classroom where student thinking takes center stage, this episode is for you.👉 Listen to the full episode now 👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode 👉 Leave a review to help other educators find this work

191: When 1st Graders Tackle Multiplication Stories… Magic Happens

Send us a textToday’s episode dives into a question many K–1 teachers ask: Why are we giving multiplication problem types when they’re nowhere in the standards? If you’ve ever wondered whether this is developmentally appropriate, too advanced, or simply “off track,” you’re definitely not alone.But here’s the truth: young children already experience multiplicative situations in real life — and those experiences naturally support early additive reasoning. In this episode, I share a powerful story from Kayla’s first-grade classroom that illustrates exactly why these problem types matter.🎧 CTA — Listen, Subscribe, Review & DownloadIf this episode sparked ideas or affirmed your instincts, make sure to listen to the full conversation, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to help more teachers find it.

190: What Happens When Students Struggle? How We Can Help Without Taking Away the Opportunity to Think

Send us a textIn today’s episode, we’re diving into what really happens when kids struggle—and how to support them without rescuing them from the thinking process. You’ll hear the story of a quiet 3rd grader named Daria and how confidence, belief, and intentional instruction changed her entire trajectory.Many teachers have taught a student like Daria—sweet, shy, unsure, and labeled “below grade level.” Yet, through connection and curiosity, her brilliance surfaced long before her academic data did. This teaser shows why confidence isn’t everything, but why it’s a powerful catalyst for learning.🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:📘 Word Problem Workshop⭐️ Join the Book Club HERE🎧 Ready to Dive In?Listen to the full episode to hear the stories, strategies, and mindset shifts that help kids thrive—without taking away their thinking.👉 Listen now 👉 Subscribe to the podcast 👉 Leave a review to help other educators find this work

189: My Kindergarten Lesson

Send us a textI’ll start with a confession: I’ve never taught kindergarten. Honestly? I don’t think I could. Kindergarten teachers bring superhuman levels of compassion, patience, and organizational magic. They teach kids how to be at school while also supporting families.Yet I support K–8 math, and as a parent of two kindergarteners, I know exactly what a Monday afternoon classroom feels like. So when a kindergarten teacher asked me to model what math could look, sound, and feel like with deeper engagement, I said yes. Today, you’ll hear the case study that proves Word Problem Workshop is the solution for low-level, boring curriculum tasks.Here’s the encouragement I want to leave you with: you don’t need a new curriculum. You just need a routine that reveals student thinking. Word Problem Workshop does that — every single time. Even in kindergarten.So try one step next week. Launch a real problem. Give space. Let kids think. And watch what happens.🎧 Listen to the full episode, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to support more teachers bringing sense-making into math.❄️ NEW: Join the Winter Break Book Club HEREIf you want a simple, supportive way to deepen your practice over break, join our Word Problem Workshop Winter Book Club. It’s cozy, low-pressure, and designed to refresh your teaching before January hits. You’ll get discussion prompts, coaching insights, and a community of educators who care deeply about student thinking.Come as you are — pajama coffee, holiday chaos, and all.