Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers

203 Real isn't Relevant: What Really Matters when Teaching Math

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 03:00:00 -0400

We hear it all the time: Make math real-world.

But real-world doesn’t automatically mean relevant.

In this episode, I’m sharing how one of my favorite cell phone projects slowly lost its relevance—and what it taught me about choosing contexts that actually matter to the students sitting in front of us.

We’ll talk about:

The difference between real-world and relevant math
My Spheres of Relevance: self, community, culture + the larger world
How timeliness can create relevance
Why relevant doesn’t have to mean entertaining
Using real data to build mathematical literacy

Plus, I’m sharing how election data can give students a timely reason to use statistics to analyze the information they’re already encountering outside of school.

This week’s reflection: Where does the math you’re teaching exist in the real world—and why might it matter to your students?

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

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202 The Math Comes First: How to Keep PBL Rigorous

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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“Projects sound great…but when are students actually learning the math?”

That’s a fair question—and the answer isn’t simply putting more calculations into the project.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally keep deep, rigorous mathematics at the center of PBL using one of my favorite project-design tools: milestones and milestone markers.

Using my Wasted Space Geometry Project as an example, we’ll explore how students can use surface area, volume, modeling, constraints, and optimization to redesign product packaging—and how intentional checkpoints make their mathematical thinking visible along the way.

We’ll talk about:

The difference between a deadline and a mathematical milestone
How milestone markers give you evidence of student learning
Checking individual understanding during collaborative projects
Using project evidence to decide when students need instruction or practice
Why the final product should never be your only evidence of learning

Milestones organize the learning journey. Milestone markers give us evidence that the learning happened.

✨Ready to design your own meaningful math PBL experience? PBL Kickstart is my $17 on-demand workshop designed to help you get started with the mathematics you already teach. Enroll in PBL Kickstart Today

Reflection: If I looked only at the milestones in your project—not the final product—could I tell what mathematics you want students to learn?

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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201 No Time for PBL? How to Make Math Projects Fit Your Curriculum

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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You Don’t Need Three Weeks for PBL

“I’d love to do more projects…but I just don’t have time.”

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Because somewhere along the way, we started assuming that good project-based learning has to mean a massive, multi-week project complete with research, presentations, fancy final products, and approximately 47 things for the teacher to manage.

It doesn’t.

In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about how to right-size PBL for the mathematics, your curriculum, and the instructional time you actually have.

We’ll explore the continuum from rich tasks and performance tasks to mini-projects and full PBL experiences—and why bigger doesn’t automatically mean better.

I’m also sharing four practical ways to shrink a project without shrinking the mathematics.

In this episode:

Why good PBL doesn’t have to take three weeks
How to right-size a project around the mathematical goal
The difference between rich tasks, performance tasks, mini-projects, and larger PBL experiences
Why smaller projects aren’t watered-down PBL
How “project bloat” steals instructional time from the mathematics
Four ways to make a project more manageable
Why you can weave a project into instruction instead of saving it for “project week”
What you should NEVER cut when shortening a project
Why starting with one manageable project is enough
The goal isn’t to find more time for PBL.
It’s to design PBL that fits the time you actually have.

Ready to Get Started with PBL?

If you’ve found the place in your curriculum where a project makes sense but you’re still wondering how to turn that idea into an actual learning experience, PBL Kickstart is for you. Enroll in PBL Kickstart and Start Planning Now

PBL Kickstart is my $17 on-demand workshop that walks you through planning your first project-based learning unit in three simple steps—without assuming you have unlimited planning time or three empty weeks in your pacing guide.

Because you don’t need to transform your entire classroom.

You need one good place to start.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

200 Episodes Later: I’m Not the Same Math Teacher

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Two hundred episodes ago, I thought I had a much clearer idea of what kind of math teacher I was.

I was a project-based learning teacher.

Since then, I’ve taught using the Modern Classrooms framework. I’ve embraced Building Thinking Classrooms. I’ve changed the way I think about mastery and assessment. Now I’m teaching with Illustrative Mathematics and falling in love with inquiry, mathematical discourse, and giving students more opportunities to make sense of mathematics together.

And somewhere along the way, I realized:

I don’t actually need to choose.

For Episode 200 of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re taking a break from strategies, resources, and the usual back-to-school conversations to reflect on how my teaching has evolved—and why I hope it never stops evolving.

I’m sharing how my relationship with EdTech has changed, why I’m increasingly interested in AI as a tool for teachers rather than something we need to put into students’ hands simply because we can, and why I no longer think being a “modern” teacher means chasing the newest thing.

We’ll also talk about what hasn’t changed.

PBL still has my heart. I still want students experiencing mathematics that is real, relevant, and rigorous. I just have a much bigger instructional toolbox for getting them there.

In this episode:

How I’ve evolved from a PBL teacher using Modern Classrooms to BTC and now an inquiry- and discussion-focused IM classroom
Why I no longer feel like I need one instructional identity
What each phase of my teaching has added to my instructional toolbox
How my relationship with EdTech has changed
Why I’m rethinking the role of AI in the math classroom
Why “modern” teaching has more to do with intentionality than technology
Why PBL still has my heart—even though I don’t need every day to be a project
The value of staying curious enough to keep changing your mind

Let’s Stay Connected

For Episode 200, I just want to hear from you.

What’s something you’ve changed your mind about as a math teacher?

Reply to one of my emails, find me online, or send me a message and tell me what the teacher you are today believes that the teacher you used to be didn’t.

Thank you for listening, reflecting, experimenting, and learning alongside me for 200 episodes.

Here’s to whatever we learn in the next 200.

Until next time, keep it real!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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199 Math Project or More Practice? Stop Making It an Either/Or

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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When Should You Use Math Projects? 4 Signs a Topic Is Ready for PBL

Not every math standard needs a project.

Yep. I said it.

Sometimes students need an authentic problem to solve, decisions to make, and an opportunity to actually USE the mathematics they're learning.

And sometimes? They need practice.

In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we're talking about how I decide which parts of my curriculum have real project potential—and which ones I'm perfectly happy teaching, practicing, and moving on from.

I'm sharing four things I look for when deciding whether a topic is a good fit for a project:

- Does the math have a natural real-world application?

- Does it give students something meaningful to reason about or decide?

- Is the content meaty enough to justify the instructional time?

- Can I connect it to something my students will actually care about?

We'll also talk about why real-world doesn't automatically mean relevant, why forcing every standard into a project isn't the goal, and how some of the best math projects actually have procedural practice baked right into them.

Because projects and practice aren't opposites. The goal is knowing when each one is the right tool for the learning.

🎧 In this episode:

- How I identify standards with strong project potential

- Why modeling, interpreting, comparing, and decision-making are project green flags

- When procedural practice really IS the better instructional choice

- Why a real-world context isn't enough if students don't care about it

- How my Spheres of Relevance help me evaluate project ideas

- Why strong projects can—and should—include opportunities for practice

- How to find one realistic place to start adding projects to your curriculum

🆓 RESOURCE: Project or Practice Guide

Want help figuring out where projects make sense in your math curriculum?

Grab my free Project or Practice Guide. I've gone through the secondary standards to help you identify which ones lend themselves naturally to projects and which ones may be better suited for practice.

👉 moorethanjustx.com/guide

Ready to Design Your First PBL Unit?

Once you've found the right place in your curriculum, PBL Kickstart will help you turn that idea into an actual project-based learning experience.

This $17 on-demand workshop walks you through planning your first PBL unit in three simple steps—without turning your entire curriculum upside down.

👉Join the Kickstart: PBL Kickstart

Until next time, keep it real!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

198 You’re Probably Closer Than You Think

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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What if creating more meaningful learning experiences in your math classroom didn’t require completely changing the way you teach?

Because when teachers hear “project-based learning,” it can feel like a complete classroom makeover.

Rewrite every unit. Redesign your curriculum. Stop giving direct instruction. Turn everything into a project.

Nope.

In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about why meaningful change happens one intentional decision at a time—and why you’re probably much closer to creating the classroom you want than you think.

I’m sharing how my own classroom evolved through years of small changes in questioning, discussion, assessment, collaboration, relevance, and instructional design before project-based learning became one powerful piece of that bigger picture.

And most importantly, we’re taking the pressure off becoming a “PBL teacher.”

You don’t need projects everywhere.

You need to find one place where students could move from knowing how to DO the mathematics to actually USING the mathematics.

In this episode:

Why meaningful teaching doesn’t require a complete classroom makeover
How small instructional decisions transform classrooms over time
Why I became an intentional instructional designer before I became a PBL teacher
Why you don’t have to become a “project-based learning teacher” to use projects
How PBL can create real, relevant, rigorous mathematical experiences
Why projects are one tool—not the goal
The pieces of PBL you may already be using in your classroom
Why your first project shouldn’t be your giant dream project
How to identify one realistic place to start

Ready to Take Your First Step into PBL?

If you love the idea of project-based learning but don’t want to completely overhaul your classroom, PBL Kickstart was created for you.

Inside this $17 on-demand workshop, I’ll help you take mathematics you’re already teaching and begin turning it into a real, relevant, rigorous project-based learning experience.

You don’t need to redesign your entire curriculum.

You need one good place to start.

Your Reflection Question

Where in your curriculum are students currently learning how to DO the math—but could have an opportunity to actually USE it?

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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197 Stop Planning Lessons. Start Designing Learning Experiences.

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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What if the biggest shift you could make this school year wasn't changing your curriculum—but changing the way you think about planning?

In this episode, I share the mindset shift that has transformed my classroom. Instead of asking, "What activity should I do?" I now start with a much different question: "What experience do I want my students to have?"

We'll explore how this simple change impacts every instructional decision, why meaningful learning experiences don't have to be elaborate, and how intentional planning can make mathematics more memorable for your students.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why planning experiences changes everything
The difference between activities and learning experiences
Questions to guide intentional lesson design
Why meaningful learning doesn't require elaborate projects
How small instructional decisions create lasting impact

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Gold Standard Project Planner:

👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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196 So...What Is a Modern Math Teacher?

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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Being a Modern Math Teacher isn't about using the newest technology or following every educational trend.

It's about intentionally designing learning experiences that help every student think deeply, feel like they belong, and see themselves as capable mathematicians.

In this episode, I reflect on five beliefs that have transformed my own classroom and explain why becoming a Modern Math Teacher isn't a destination—it's an ongoing journey of intentional growth.

In this episode you'll learn:

The five beliefs that guide every instructional decision I make
Why intentional teaching matters more than trendy teaching
How reflection fuels professional growth
Why becoming a better teacher is about asking better questions
What it truly means to be a Modern Math Teacher

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Gold Standard Project Planner:

👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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195 Your Curriculum Isn't the Problem

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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Have you ever felt like your curriculum was holding you back?

You're not alone—but what if the curriculum isn't actually the problem?

In this episode, I share how my perspective on curriculum has evolved and why I no longer believe great teaching comes from finding the "perfect" textbook. Instead, I explain how small, intentional instructional decisions can transform the learning experience for your students.

Whether you teach Illustrative Mathematics, CPM, Reveal, Carnegie, Big Ideas, Eureka, or another curriculum entirely, this episode will help you see your role as more than someone who delivers lessons—you are the designer of your students' mathematical experience.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why curriculum is a tool—not your identity as a teacher
Simple ways to adapt lessons without rewriting them
Questions to ask before teaching any lesson
How professional judgment improves student learning
Why two teachers can teach the same lesson and create completely different classroom experiences

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Gold Standard Project Planner:

👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

194 Stop Trying to Be the Pinterest Teacher

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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Have you ever felt like every lesson has to be bigger, better, and more engaging than the last?

I know I have.

In this episode, I share how I fell into the trap of trying to create extraordinary lessons every day—and why shifting my focus to sustainable teaching practices completely changed my classroom.

We'll talk about routines, instructional systems, decision fatigue, and why consistency often has a greater impact on student learning than constant novelty.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why great teaching isn't about reinventing every lesson
The difference between exciting ideas and sustainable systems
How routines create more opportunities for meaningful mathematics
Why consistency benefits both teachers and students
Questions to help you design a classroom that thrives all year long

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Project or Practice Guide: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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193 The Biggest Lie We've Been Told About Rigor

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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For years, I believed rigorous math instruction meant harder problems, longer assignments, and more work.

I don't believe that anymore.

In this episode, I share how my definition of rigor has changed, why cognitive demand isn't the same thing as difficulty, and how I intentionally design lessons that promote deeper mathematical thinking without overwhelming students.

We'll also explore how routines like Math Wars can move beyond procedural practice by creating opportunities for students to justify, critique, compare, and defend mathematical reasoning.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why rigor and difficulty aren't the same thing
How to increase thinking without increasing workload
The difference between fluency and reasoning
How I build cognitive demand into everyday classroom routines
Why scaffolds can increase access without reducing rigor

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Project or Practice Guide: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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192 Your First Five Days Matter More Than Your Next Five Months

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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The first week of school isn't just about procedures, seating charts, and syllabus review. It's when students begin forming beliefs about what mathematics feels like—and who they believe they are as mathematicians.

In this episode, I share how my thinking about the first week has changed over the years, why students walk into our classrooms carrying mathematical identities, and how we can intentionally design experiences that foster confidence, curiosity, and belonging from day one.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why the first week is about more than classroom procedures
How students' mathematical identities influence learning
The connection between classroom culture and instructional design
Simple questions to help you intentionally design the first week
Why belonging is one of the most important things we teach

🎁 Free Resource

Download the Gold Standard Project Planner and start designing intentional learning experiences:

👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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191 When My Favorite Math Project Stopped Working

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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One of my favorite classroom projects completely stopped working—and it ended up becoming one of the most important lessons of my teaching career.

In this episode, I share the story of a once-successful cell phone plan project that unexpectedly fell flat and how it completely changed the way I think about designing meaningful mathematics.

We'll explore why real and relevant aren't always the same thing, how I adapt lessons from Illustrative Math without reinventing the curriculum, and why sometimes the most meaningful part of a lesson isn't the context at all—it's the mathematical thinking.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why authentic lessons lose relevance over time
The difference between real-world math and relevant math
The planning question I ask before almost every lesson
How I adapt Illustrative Math to better connect with my students
Why mathematical practices can be just as meaningful as real-world contexts
A classroom story using Glo Germ that led to rich mathematical discussions

🎁 Free Resource

Wondering whether a lesson should become a project or stay focused practice?

Download my free Project or Practice Guide:

👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to subscribe and share it with another math teacher who's passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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Just-in-Time Math Intervention with Juliana Tapper

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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What if math intervention didn’t mean going back three grade levels and trying to fill every gap a student has before they’re allowed to move forward?

In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I’m joined by my friend and math intervention expert Juliana Tapper, author of Teaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle, to talk about a different approach: just-in-time intervention.

And selfishly? I had questions.

This year I’m teaching an Algebra 1 Pro Lab designed to help students succeed in their grade-level Algebra 1 class, so I asked Juliana to help me think through what that class could actually look like.

One of my biggest takeaways was Juliana’s staircase approach to intervention.

Start with the grade-level skill students need—that’s the top of the staircase. Then ask: What do they need to know immediately before they can do that? And what do they need before that?

Keep stepping backward until you’ve identified the essential prerequisite skills students actually need.

Instead of trying to fix every gap from the past, we can strategically build the staircase students need to reach the mathematics in front of them.

We also talk about:

Using the first week to learn how students actually feel about mathematics—and intentionally creating positive new math experiences
The connection between intervention, math identity, and our recent conversation with Vanessa Vakharia
Using routines like Notice & Wonder, Same & Different, Which One Doesn’t Belong, Number Talks, and Number Strings to build confidence
How non-math contexts (including pictures from your own life!) can help teach these routines while building community
Structuring an intervention class around the content students will encounter in their core math class 1–2 weeks later
Mixing kinesthetic learning, explicit instruction, and meaningful practice
How to use IXL as a planning and differentiation tool rather than parking students in front of a computer
Using pre-assessments to determine which "stair" each student needs
Combining small groups, IXL, Math Wars, and engaging whole-group activities based on student needs
Building foundational fluency through Number Talks, Fun Fact/Fluency Fridays, Throwback Thursdays, and intentional review

If you teach students who have unfinished learning, this conversation is packed with practical ways to support what they need without lowering the expectations for where they're going.

Connect with Juliana

Learn more about Juliana, her intervention resources, and her work with secondary math teachers at CollaboratEd with Juliana.

Pick up a copy of Teaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle and check out the free companion resources for the book.

You can also find Juliana on Instagram at @collaborated.with.juliana.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

What Happens When the Math Teacher Needs Math Therapy? with Vanessa Vakharia

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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We spent the summer reading Math Therapy together—and now we’re sitting down with the author herself, Vanessa Vakharia, to talk about what happens when we take these ideas off the page and into our classrooms.

And, apparently, what happens when the math teacher needs a little Math Therapy of her own.

In this conversation, Vanessa and I start by talking about how Math Therapy has almost become a co-creation. The book may be published, but the work keeps evolving as teachers take these ideas, adapt them, and make them their own. It's one of the reasons we both love podcasting: our thinking doesn't have to stop just because the book—or an episode—is finished.

Then Vanessa turns the tables on me as I outed myself as someone who didn’t think she had trauma but most definitely did.

We unpack one of the experiences I've shared throughout this series: my infamous Honors Geometry polyhedron project and the impact that one experience had on my own mathematical identity.

That leads us into a fascinating conversation about what it means to be "honors," why those labels carry so much weight, and why even experienced math teachers can feel anxious about teaching certain courses. (Hello, Honors Algebra 2.)

But we don't stop with what happens inside school.

We also dig into some of the cultural messages our students are receiving right now—from TikTok trends that make crying in math class part of the joke to shirts with messages like "I'm too pretty to do math."

So what the heck are we supposed to do when our students walk into class carrying all of that with them?

Vanessa shares practical ways we can provide the just-in-time Math Therapy our students need and gives us questions we can start asking immediately.

In This Episode
I'm not the best time keeper but you can expect these things to be basically right

Around 14 minutes, we dig into what it means to be an "honors" student—or teacher—and why those labels can create anxiety of their own.
Around 18 minutes, we tackle the math stereotypes showing up in social media and pop culture and the messages they're sending our students, particularly girls.
Around 22 minutes, Vanessa shares what we can do right now in our classrooms to combat those stereotypes and give students just-in-time Math Therapy.
Around 24 minutes, she gives us questions we can use to start those conversations with students.
And around 28 minutes, Vanessa shares her advice for teachers wondering, Okay, I've read the book. I've listened to the series. Now what do I actually DO?

My Biggest Takeaway

Math Therapy isn't something we "do" to students.

It's an ongoing conversation.

It's something students and teachers create together—and it will look different in every classroom because our students, experiences, and teaching styles are different.

The goal isn't to perfectly implement someone else's version of Math Therapy.

It's to notice the messages students are receiving about who gets to be good at math and intentionally create experiences that help them write a different story.

Keep the Conversation Going
After you listen, I'd love to know:

What message about math do you think your students most need help unlearning this year?

Come share your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Vanessa inside The Modern Math Teacher community.

Grab Math Therapy
If this is your first episode in our summer book study, you can absolutely go back and listen to the entire series—and grab your own copy of the book to read along:

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6
🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

And remember: you don't need to implement everything.

✨LEAVE A REVIEW FOR VANESSA IF YOU HAVE GRABBED YOUR BOOK ALREADY!✨

Take what resonates. Make it yours. Start somewhere.

Because math is Moore than just solving for X.

Keep it real.

Connect with Vanessa

Catch Vanessa’s weekly podcast: Math Therapy on your favorite podcast player and connect with her on instagram @themathguru. Looking to connect with other teachers doing math therapy? Join her facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FPDrA2KeN/

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

188 You Don't Have to Become a Different Teacher

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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After four weeks of reading Math Therapy together, we've reached the final chapter—and it ends with a powerful reminder.

You don't have to become a different teacher.

You simply have to become a more intentional version of the teacher you already are.

In this episode, I reflect on the biggest lessons from the book, how my own classroom plans have evolved, and why helping students build healthier relationships with mathematics is a journey we'll continue taking alongside them.

In This Episode

✨ Why professional learning begins with believing something can improve

✨ Teaching as a journey rather than a destination

✨ Why every teacher's version of Math Therapy should be unique

✨ How my Geometry Proficiency Lab has evolved because of this book

✨ Teaching authentically and in alignment with your beliefs

✨ The connection between Math Therapy and Mel Robbins' "Let Them" philosophy

✨ Why one intentional change can have a lasting impact

Key Takeaway

You don't have to implement every idea.

You don't have to transform your classroom overnight.

Choose one meaningful change.

Implement it intentionally.

Then continue growing alongside your students.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

What's one idea from this series you're excited to try?
How has your thinking changed during this book study?
What mathematical identity do you hope your students develop this year?
What would becoming a more intentional teacher look like for you?

Community Challenge

Join us inside the Facebook group and share:

✨ The one strategy you're taking into your classroom this year.

✨ One way you'll intentionally help students build a healthier relationship with mathematics.

Let's celebrate the beginning of a new school year together.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

Even though we've reached the end of the book study, it's never too late to read Math Therapy and reflect on how these ideas can strengthen your own classroom.

Next Week's Special Episode

I'm thrilled to welcome Vanessa Vakharia to the podcast! We'll reflect on the book together, discuss the ideas that challenged me the most, answer listener questions, and explore how teachers can continue building classrooms where students develop healthier relationships with mathematics.

I can't wait for you to hear our conversation.

Until then, remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

187 Does Your Grading System Match Your Growth Mindset?

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

We often tell students:

"Progress matters more than perfection."

But does our assessment system communicate the same message?

In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 7, where Vanessa Vakharia explores the connection between assessment, growth mindset, and mathematical identity.

This chapter challenged me to reflect on my own grading practices, my experience with competency-based learning, and the conversations my department is currently having as we continue implementing our new curriculum.

In This Episode

✨ Why assessment communicates more than grades

✨ My journey from competency-based grading to teaching within a traditional grading system

✨ The difference between formative and summative assessment

✨ Why reassessment should reflect new learning—not simply offer another attempt

✨ Connecting "progress over perfection" to grading practices

✨ SMART goals that focus on habits, confidence, and growth

✨ Breaking learning into "dopamine bites"

✨ A student progress tracker I'm building for Geometry Proficiency Lab

✨ Helping students collect evidence of their own growth

Key Takeaway

Assessment isn't just about measuring what students know.

It's about communicating what we believe learning looks like.

When our grading practices align with our beliefs about growth, students receive a much more consistent message about what it means to learn mathematics.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

If students only experienced your assessment system, what would they believe about learning?
Does your grading system leave room for growth?
How do students measure their own progress?
What evidence do students collect that shows they're becoming stronger mathematicians?

Community Challenge

Join us inside the Facebook group and share:

✨ One assessment practice that helps students recognize their own progress.

✨ One way you intentionally celebrate growth before the final unit assessment.

Let's build a collection of ideas that help students see learning as a process rather than a single performance.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

There's still time to join our summer book study!

Coming Next Week

Next week we'll continue exploring Math Therapy as we move into the final chapters and begin bringing together the big ideas we've explored throughout the series.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

186 Rewrite the Story. Rewire the Brain.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

How do students begin to see themselves differently in mathematics?

In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 6: Makeover.

This chapter may be the most personal one yet. It challenged me to reflect on my own math story and reminded me that students don't simply need better grades—they need opportunities to build a healthier mathematical identity.

I also share one of my favorite implementation ideas from the book: helping students create a Math-o-GRAPHy, where they graph the highs and lows of their mathematical journey and later use those graphs as authentic mathematical data.

In This Episode

✨ What math identity really means

✨ Why rewriting our math story helps rewire our brain

✨ My personal math journey—from Mathlete to math teacher

✨ How teachers shape students' mathematical identities

✨ The influence of media on students' beliefs about math

✨ Why I interpreted Mean Girls a little differently

✨ The Math Story Makeover activity

✨ Using Math-o-GRAPHy to connect SEL and authentic mathematics

✨ Why identity—not ability—is often what changes most

Key Takeaway

Students don't become different mathematicians because we tell them they're capable.

They become different mathematicians because they accumulate evidence that they are capable.

Every reflection.

Every productive struggle.

Every meaningful success.

Every encouraging conversation.

Those experiences help students rewrite their story—and ultimately rewire how they see themselves.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

What's your own math story?
Which teachers shaped your mathematical identity?
What experiences made you the teacher you are today?
If your students rewrote their math autobiography in May, what would you hope had changed?

Community Challenge

Join us inside the Facebook group and share:

✨ One moment from your own math story that shaped the teacher you've become.

✨ One classroom experience that helps students build a healthier relationship with mathematics.

Let's collect ideas that help students rewrite their stories one experience at a time.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

There's still plenty of time to join our summer book study!

Coming Next

We'll continue exploring Math Therapy and discover another practical toolkit for helping students build confidence, resilience, and lasting mathematical identities.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

185 Students Aren't Asking "When Will I Use This?" They're Asking "Why Should I Care?"

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

What if we've been answering one of our students' most common questions the wrong way?

When students ask:

"When am I ever going to use this?"

they're often not asking about future careers.

They're asking something much deeper:

"Why should I care?"

In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 5: Motivate, and exploring how relevance, purpose, and meaningful feedback can transform student motivation.

In This Episode

✨ Why motivation begins with meaning

✨ The difference between real and relevant mathematics

✨ Why transferable skills matter just as much as content standards

✨ Redefining mathematics as reasoning, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking

✨ Redefining success and failure through a growth mindset lens

✨ Lessons from Meet the Robinsons and The Magic School Bus

✨ Why accountability partners aren't just for students—they're for teachers too

✨ How my National Board journey reshaped the way I think about student feedback

✨ Why specific feedback builds self-efficacy and motivation

Key Takeaway

Students don't always need another real-world application.

Sometimes they simply need to understand who they're becoming because they're learning mathematics.

Purpose fuels motivation.

Meaning sustains perseverance.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

How would your students define mathematics?
Would their definition match yours?
What transferable skills are your students practicing this week?
The next time a student asks, "When am I ever going to use this?" how might you answer the deeper question: "Why should I care?"

Community Challenge

Join us inside the Facebook group and share:

✨ One way you help students discover the purpose behind mathematics.

✨ One strategy you use to build intrinsic motivation without relying on rewards, points, or grades.

Let's continue learning from one another as we prepare for a new school year.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

It's not too late to join our summer book study!

Coming Up Next

We'll continue working through the Math Therapy framework and explore another practical toolkit for helping students build healthier, more confident relationships with mathematics.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

184 We Don't Need to Lower Expectations. We Need to Lower the Threat.

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

How do we create a classroom where students feel safe enough to struggle?

In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 4: Moderate.

This chapter challenged me to rethink the difference between mathematical challenge and emotional threat. Productive struggle is an essential part of learning mathematics—but unnecessary fear, embarrassment, and fixed labels can prevent students from ever engaging in that struggle.

I also share some of my own math stories and how they're influencing the way I'm designing my Geometry Proficiency Lab this year.

In This Episode

✨ The three meanings of "moderate" in the Math Therapy framework

✨ Why moderating math anxiety is both proactive and reactive

✨ My own experiences with math trauma in Honors Geometry and Linear Algebra

✨ Why students should revisit and rewrite their math stories

✨ Wrestling with the balance between cold calling and psychological safety

✨ The impact of labels like "honors" and "intervention"

✨ The Believe → Behave → Become framework for changing mathematical identity

✨ Why teacher language matters

✨ Choosing math therapy practices that fit your authentic teaching style

✨ My favorite implementation idea: a Math Therapy Classroom Agreement

Key Takeaway

We don't help students by lowering expectations.

We help students by intentionally creating classrooms where they feel safe enough to meet high expectations.

Psychological safety isn't the opposite of rigor.

It's often what makes rigor possible.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

What labels do your students bring into your classroom?
What stories have they attached to those labels?
How do your classroom routines communicate safety, belonging, and high expectations?
If your students rewrote their math autobiography at the end of the semester, what would you hope had changed?

Community Challenge

Head over to the Facebook group and share:

✨ One classroom routine you already use that helps students feel psychologically safe.

✨ One idea from Chapter 4 that you're planning to implement this school year.

Let's build a collection of strategies that help students experience productive struggle without unnecessary fear.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

It's never too late to jump into our summer book study!

Coming Next Time

Next we'll continue exploring the Math Therapy framework and unpack the next step in helping students build healthier relationships with mathematics.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

183 Mythbusting the Biggest Lies Students Believe About Math

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

What does it actually mean to be good at math?

If you asked your students that question, what would they say?

In this episode, we're continuing our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia and diving into Chapter 3: Mythbust.

While growth mindset may not be the educational buzzword it once was, the ideas behind it remain incredibly important. Students cannot build a healthier relationship with mathematics if they continue believing unhealthy myths about themselves.

This episode explores how teachers can help students challenge limiting beliefs, collect evidence of growth, and begin rewriting their mathematical identities.

In This Episode

✨ Why growth mindset still matters

✨ The difference between telling students they can grow and helping them experience growth

✨ What it really means to be good at math

✨ Why productive struggle is essential for building confidence

✨ How the Reticular Activating System (RAS) influences what students notice

✨ The role of relevance in learning mathematics

✨ Reflection, journaling, and Favorite Mistakes as tools for growth

✨ Why evidence—not encouragement alone—changes beliefs

Key Takeaway

Students don't develop a growth mindset because we tell them to.

Students develop a growth mindset because they experience growth.

Productive struggle leads to success.

Success creates evidence.

Evidence shapes beliefs.

Beliefs influence identity.

And identity drives behavior.

This Week's Reflection

Consider these questions:

What does it mean to be good at math?
Would your students define mathematical success the same way you do?
What evidence are your students collecting about themselves every day?
What evidence are they noticing?

Community Challenge

This week, intentionally notice something.

It could be:

examples of productive struggle
moments of student growth
mathematics in everyday life
evidence of mathematical thinking

Then head into our Facebook group and share what you discovered.

I'd also love to hear your answer to this question:

What does it mean to be good at math?

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

It's not too late to join the book study!

Coming Next Time

Next week we'll explore the second of the Five Ms: Moderate and discuss how we can intentionally create classrooms that help reduce math anxiety while increasing belonging, confidence, and trust.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

182 What Is Math Therapy? (And Why You're Probably Already Doing It)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Welcome back to our summer Math Therapy book study series!

This week we're discussing Chapter 2 and exploring a question many teachers may be asking:

What exactly is math therapy?

One of the biggest takeaways from this chapter is that math therapy isn't about becoming a licensed therapist. Instead, it's about becoming more intentional about the human side of mathematics.

As teachers, we already help students:

navigate frustration
recover from mistakes
build confidence
develop resilience
challenge limiting beliefs

Math therapy simply gives us a framework for doing that work more intentionally.

In This Episode

Vanessa Vakharia's journey into math therapy
Why teachers already influence students' mathematical identities
The Five Ms framework:
- Mythbust
- Moderate
- Motivate
- Makeover
- Measure
The connection between Atomic Habits and mathematical identity
Why beliefs shape identity and identity shapes habits
The importance of bringing your whole self into mathematics
Creating classroom agreements rooted in empathy and belonging
Rethinking the first two weeks of school

A Powerful Question

What if the first two weeks of school weren't just about procedures and review?

What if they were also about helping students build a healthier relationship with mathematics?

This question is shaping much of my planning for Geometry Proficiency Lab and may be one of the most impactful ideas from the chapter.

This Week's Reflection

Consider these questions:

What are you already doing that supports students' mathematical well-being?
How do you build belonging in your classroom?
What messages do your students receive about who can be successful in math?
Which of the Five Ms do your students need most?

Community Challenge

Join us inside the Facebook group and share:

One thing you're already doing that aligns with math therapy
One activity you plan to use during the first two weeks of school
Which of the Five Ms you're most excited to learn more about

Let's learn from each other as we prepare for a new school year.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

Coming Next Week

We'll begin exploring the first of the Five Ms:

Mythbust

We'll discuss growth mindset, identity, math autobiographies, journaling, and how students can begin rewriting the stories they've been telling themselves about mathematics.

Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

181 Math Trauma, Teen Talk Barbie, and the Myth of the "Math Person"

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

This week, we're kicking off our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia.

Rather than providing a chapter-by-chapter summary, this series is designed as a conversation around the ideas that resonate most, the questions they raise, and how they might influence our classroom practices.

In Chapter 1, one idea kept surfacing again and again:

The stories we tell ourselves about mathematics matter.

From cultural stereotypes and family messaging to our own classroom experiences, students often arrive carrying beliefs about who they are as math learners long before we ever meet them.

In This Episode

Why the "math person" myth is so persistent
The surprising connection between Teen Talk Barbie and productive struggle
The difference between math anxiety and math trauma
How family experiences influence mathematical identity
What intervention students have taught me about confidence and resilience
Questions I'm beginning to explore about math trauma in honors classes

This Week's Reflection

Consider these questions:

Were you told you were a math person growing up?
What messages about mathematics shaped your own identity?
How do stress, anxiety, and math trauma show up in your students?
Does it look different in intervention classes versus advanced courses?

Community Challenge

This week, start noticing how mathematics is portrayed in everyday life.

Look for examples in:

Television
Movies
Social media
Advertisements
Conversations with friends and family

Then share your observations inside our Facebook group. Let's see what patterns emerge when we start paying attention to the messages surrounding mathematics.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

Next Time

We'll dive into Chapter 2 and begin exploring what math therapy actually looks like in practice—and why it might matter more than we realize.

Until next time, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

180 Listener Q&A: PBL, Building Thinking Classrooms, Real-World Data & More!

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

You asked, I answered!

In this special Listener Q&A episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I'm tackling some of your biggest questions about project-based learning, Building Thinking Classrooms, real-world math connections, and professional learning.

Whether you're just getting started with PBL or looking for new ways to make your math classroom more engaging, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use right away.

💡 In This Episode:

How to get started with Project-Based Learning (without overhauling your entire curriculum)
Can Project-Based Learning and Building Thinking Classrooms work together?
Why I love the Gift Wrap Challenge as an anchor activity
Real-world connections for rational and irrational numbers
My favorite places to find authentic data, graphs, and statistics for math lessons
Book recommendations to reignite your passion for teaching math and explore instructional best practices

✨ Resources Mentioned
Project or Practice? Free Guide
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

Join us for our July Math Therapy Book Study!

📖 Physical Book
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🌊 Poolside PD Reflection

What's one question about your teaching you've been avoiding because you thought you "should already know the answer?"

Sometimes the best professional growth starts with asking better questions.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

179 Why Support Doesn't Lower Rigor in Math Class

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Struggle Is Learning. Drowning Is Not.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that not all struggle is productive.

As math teachers, we want students to wrestle with ideas, persevere through challenges, and make sense of mathematics. But there's a fine line between productive struggle and overwhelming frustration.

In this episode, we're exploring what productive struggle actually looks like, why support and rigor aren't opposites, and how to challenge students without leaving them stranded.

Because struggle is learning.

Drowning is not.

💡 In This Episode:

What productive struggle really means in a math classroom
Why not all struggle leads to learning
How my thinking evolved through teaching an inquiry-based curriculum
Why support structures don't reduce rigor
The difference between students who are struggling and students who are overwhelmed
How relationships help us know when to push and when to support

✨ Key Takeaways

✨ Productive struggle is essential for deep learning

✨ Support and rigor work together—not against each other

✨ Good teaching requires knowing when to step in and when to step back

✨ The same task can feel very different to different students

✨ Student confidence and math identity influence how struggle is experienced

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help creating meaningful learning experiences that balance rigor, engagement, and student thinking?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

Next week, we're kicking off our July Math Therapy book study!

We'll be exploring:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
math anxiety
student mindset
emotional experiences in mathematics

Grab your copy and read along with us:

📖 Physical Book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🌊 Poolside PD Reflection

Think about a student who struggled this year.

Did they need more challenge?

Or did they need more support?

And how do you know the difference?

🎧 What's Next

Next week, we begin our Math Therapy summer book study by exploring why so many students believe they're "bad at math"—and what we can do about it.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

178 Should Honors Math Be Different? Here's What I'm Wrestling With

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

What I'm Still Figuring Out About Teaching Honors Math

After more than 15 years in the classroom, I'm about to do something new:

Teach Honors Algebra 2 and Grade-Level Algebra 2 at the same time.

And honestly?

I'm still figuring out what that should look like.

In this episode, I'm sharing the questions I've been wrestling with as I prepare for next year—from rigor and procedural fluency to pacing, grading, and what should actually be different in an honors classroom.

Because I don't think honors students need more work.

I think they need meaningful opportunities to think more deeply.

💡 In This Episode:

What I'm excited (and nervous) about as I prepare to teach honors math
Why rigor and volume are not the same thing
The procedural skills I'm reconsidering for honors students
How I'm thinking about pacing within the IM curriculum
Questions I have about grading, mastery, and accountability
Why "more work" isn't the same as "more challenge"

✨ Key Takeaways

✨ Honors students deserve deeper thinking—not just more assignments

✨ High expectations and strong support should exist in every math classroom

✨ Procedural fluency may matter differently for students on advanced math pathways

✨ Some of the best professional growth comes from asking better questions

✨ Being an experienced teacher doesn't mean you stop learning

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together and discussing:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
student mindset
emotional experiences in mathematics

Grab your copy and read along with us:

📖 Physical Book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🌊 Poolside PD Reflection

If you teach honors students, what should be different—and what should stay exactly the same?

And if you don't teach honors?

How do you challenge students without simply giving them more work?

🎧 What's Next

Next up, we're wrapping up our June Poolside PD series by talking about productive struggle, rigor, and how to support students without rescuing them.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

177 The Best Technology in Math Class Isn't Always New Technology

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Are we using technology because it improves learning—or because it's available?

After reflecting on student engagement, Chromebook fatigue, and intentional lesson design, I've been rethinking how technology fits into my math classroom.

And the more I think about it, the more I realize:

👉 The goal isn't more technology.

👉 The goal is better technology.

In this episode, I'm sharing how my thinking has evolved, the tools I'm keeping, the tools I'm rethinking, and how frameworks like TPACK and SAMR are helping me make more intentional instructional decisions.

💡 In This Episode:

Why I'm not anti-tech—but I am pro-intentionality
How TPACK and SAMR can help us evaluate technology use
Why students sometimes use devices as an avoidance strategy
The role of TI-84 graphing calculators in a modern math classroom
Why tools like ASSISTments, Snorkl, and AI are staying in my toolbox
My "Hannah Montana Model" for balancing digital and non-digital learning

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Technology should amplify thinking—not replace it

✨ Learning goals should drive technology decisions

✨ Not every lesson needs a screen

✨ TPACK and SAMR help us ask better questions about technology use

✨ The best technology isn't always the newest technology

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?
Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together on the podcast.

We'll explore:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
student mindset
emotional experiences in mathematics

Grab your copy and read along with us:

📖 Physical Book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🌊 Poolside PD Reflection

If you removed every piece of technology from tomorrow's lesson, what learning would be lost?

And what learning might actually improve?

🎧 What's Next

Next up, I'm sharing what I'm still figuring out about teaching Honors Math—including rigor, procedural fluency, pacing, and how to challenge students without overwhelming them.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

176 The Digital Delusion: Why I'm Rethinking Technology in Math Class

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Technology isn't going away.

But that doesn't mean we should use it for everything.

After years of integrating digital tools into my math classroom, I've found myself asking a different question:

👉 Not "Should we use technology?"

👉 But "When should we use technology?"

In this episode, I'm reflecting on student device use, Chromebook fatigue, productive struggle, and why I'm becoming more intentional about when—and how—technology shows up in my classroom.

💡 In This Episode:

Why I'm rethinking technology use in math class
How Chromebooks can become an avoidance tool
Lessons from The Anxious Generation and The Digital Delusion
How the TPACK and SAMR models can help us evaluate tech use
Where I still love tools like Desmos, ASSISTments, and Snorkl
Why I'm exploring the role of TI-84 calculators again

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Technology should support thinking—not replace it

✨ More technology does not automatically create better learning

✨ Productive struggle is harder when students have constant escape routes

✨ The best tech decisions start with learning goals, not the tool

✨ Intentional technology use is different from technology dependence

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?
Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy
This July, we'll be reading and discussing Math Therapy together on the podcast.

We'll explore:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
student mindset
emotional experiences in mathematics

Grab your copy and read along with us:

📖 Physical Book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🎧 What’s Next

Next up, we're talking about the role of calculators, AI, feedback tools, and why the best technology in math class isn't always the newest technology.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

175 Why Every Math Teacher Should Study Above and Below Their Grade Level

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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One of the best things that ever happened to me as a math teacher was teaching multiple grade levels.

Because the more I taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and intervention classes together… the more I realized:

👉 Math is one connected story.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

mathematical coherence
conceptual progression
activating prior knowledge
and why understanding where students are coming from and where they’re headed changes your instruction completely.

💡 In This Episode:

Why teaching multiple grade levels made me a stronger teacher
How understanding future math changes present instruction
Why conceptual progression matters in mathematics
How studying above and below your course improves lesson design
Why math should feel connected—not isolated

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Every math lesson is part of a larger mathematical story

✨ Understanding future concepts changes what we emphasize now

✨ Strong instruction connects prior knowledge to future learning

✨ Deep content understanding leads to more intentional teaching

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help creating more meaningful and intentional math experiences?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy
We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
and emotional experiences in math class

Grab the book here:

📖 Physical book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🎧 What’s Next

Next up, we’re diving into technology in the math classroom, Chromebook fatigue, and why I’m rethinking what intentional tech integration actually looks like

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Can I admit something?

There are math concepts I taught for years that I didn’t fully understand conceptually myself.

I could teach the procedure.
I could explain the steps.
But true sense-making? That took time.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the math ideas I’ve come to understand more deeply as a teacher—and how that deeper understanding has completely changed my instruction.

💡 In This Episode:

Why procedural fluency is not the same as conceptual understanding
The math concepts that challenged me as a teacher
Why horizontal transformations feel “backwards”
How studying math more deeply changed my instruction
Why every math teacher should study above and below their grade level

✨ Key Takeaways

✨ Memorizing procedures is not the same as making sense of mathematics

✨ Deep conceptual understanding changes the way we teach

✨ Students struggle with abstract concepts because they are abstract

✨ Seeing the “big picture” of mathematics makes instruction more intentional

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help creating more meaningful math experiences in your classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing:

math identity
confidence
productive struggle
and emotional experiences in math class

Grab the book here:

📖 Physical book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

173 Why Teaching the Same Lesson Five Times Never Actually Works

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Ever had one class LOVE a lesson… and another class completely flop with the exact same activity?

Same teacher.
Same lesson.
Same day.

This year completely changed the way I think about differentiation, responsiveness, and what intentional teaching actually looks like in a real math classroom.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

class-to-class differentiation
responsive teaching
student dynamics
and why consistency does not mean every class should look identical

💡 In This Episode:

Why every class period needs something slightly different
How my understanding of differentiation evolved this year
What responsive teaching actually looks like in practice
Why student behavior is often connected to confidence and overwhelm
How this connects to math identity and emotional experiences in math class

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Consistency does not mean sameness

✨ Responsive teaching is not lowering expectations

✨ Different classes need different supports, pacing, and structures

✨ Student engagement is deeply connected to confidence and belonging

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy

We’ll be reading Math Therapy together in July and discussing how math identity, confidence, and emotional experiences shape learning.

Grab the book here:

📖 Physical book:
https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook:
https://amzn.to/49nV55D

🎧 What’s Next

Next up, we’re talking about the math concepts I finally understand more deeply as a teacher—and how deepening my own conceptual understanding changed my instruction.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

172 Why I Stopped Winging It as a Math Teacher This Year

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

This year changed the way I think about teaching math.

Between piloting a new curriculum, beginning National Board Certification, and teaching students with very different needs, I realized something important:

👉 Knowing math content is not the same thing as intentionally designing mathematical experiences.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the instructional shifts that made the biggest difference in my classroom this year—and why becoming more intentional transformed the way I teach.

💡 In This Episode:

Why I stopped “winging” lessons even after years of teaching
What teaching an inquiry-based curriculum taught me
How my understanding of differentiation changed this year
Why rigor and support need to exist together
The math concepts I finally understand more deeply as a teacher

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Intentional teaching is about designing student experiences—not just delivering content

✨ Differentiation can happen class-to-class, not just student-to-student

✨ Strong math instruction balances rigor with support

✨ Deepening your own conceptual understanding changes how you teach

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Trying to think more intentionally about when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

🎧 What’s Next

Next up, we’re diving into why teaching the same lesson five times never actually works—and what responsive teaching can look like in a real math classroom.

Until next time, keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

171 Turn Any Math Lesson Into a Real-World Experience (In About 15 Minutes)

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Ever feel like your math lessons are… fine, but not really connecting?

You’re covering the content, following the curriculum—but students aren’t fully engaged.

In this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable process to turn any math lesson into a real-world experience—without starting from scratch or spending hours planning.

💡 In This Episode:

Why some math lessons feel flat (even when they’re “good”)
A simple 4-step process to redesign your lessons
How to make math more real, relevant, and rigorous
A practical example you can apply right away

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ You don’t need to start over—you can modify what you already have

✨ Strong lessons are real, relevant, and rigorous

✨ Small design shifts can dramatically improve engagement

✨ You can redesign a lesson in about 15 minutes with a clear process

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Not sure when to use projects vs. practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

A simple way to make confident instructional decisions—without adding more to your plate.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

170 You Don’t Have Time for This… Or Do You? (3 Biggest Myths About Real-World Math)

Tue, 19 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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Think you don’t have time for projects?
Feel stuck with your curriculum?
Worried your students can’t handle it?

Let’s talk about it.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the 3 biggest myths about real-world math and project-based learning—and why they might be the exact things holding you back.

💡 In This Episode:

Why “I don’t have time” isn’t actually the real problem
How to use your curriculum as a backbone—not a limitation
Why your students can handle meaningful math tasks
Simple ways to start without overhauling your entire class

✨ Key Takeaways

✨ You don’t need more time—you need a more intentional approach

✨ Your curriculum can support real-world math (you don’t have to replace it)

✨ Students rise to the level of the opportunities you give them

✨ Start small—15–20 minutes at a time is enough to begin

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Not sure when to use projects vs. practice in your math classroom?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

A simple way to make confident instructional decisions—without adding more to your plate.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

169 You Don’t Need a Full PBL Unit—Start With This Instead

Tue, 12 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Think you need a full project-based learning unit to bring real-world math into your classroom?

You don’t.

In this episode, we’re breaking down how to start with smaller, meaningful project experiences—without overhauling your entire curriculum or spending hours planning.

💡 In This Episode:

Why full PBL units can feel overwhelming (and what to do instead)
What a “mini project” or performance task actually looks like
A simple process to redesign your lessons in less time
Real classroom examples you can start using right away

✨ Key Takeaways

✨ You don’t need a full PBL unit to create meaningful math experiences

✨ Small, well-designed project pieces can be just as powerful

✨ Strong tasks are real, relevant, and rigorous

✨ Start with the math, then build the experience around it

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Not sure when to use a project vs. when to stick with practice?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

This will help you make intentional decisions without adding more to your plate.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

168 Why Most Math Projects Don’t Work (And How to Fix Them

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Ever tried a math project that should have worked… but didn’t?

Maybe students were off task, confused, or the math just didn’t stick.

👉 You’re not alone.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why many math projects fall flat—and what actually makes them work in a real classroom.

💡 In This Episode:

Why “fun” projects don’t always lead to learning
The biggest mistakes in project-based learning for math
What students actually need to stay engaged
A simple way to redesign projects without starting from scratch

✨ Key Takeaways
✨ Engagement isn’t about making projects more fun—it’s about making the thinking more meaningful
✨ Not all projects are worth your time (and that’s okay to admit)
✨ Strong projects are real, relevant, and rigorous
✨ Start with the math, then build the experience around it

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?
Not sure when to use a project vs. when to stick with practice?

👉 Grab the free guide:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

This will help you make intentional decisions without adding more to your already full plate

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

What Actually Makes a Math Lesson “Real-World”? (It’s Not What You Think)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Most “real-world math” problems don’t actually feel real to students.

In this episode, we break down what real-world math really means—and how to make small shifts that help students actually connect to what they’re learning.

In This Episode:

Why most real-world math falls flat
The difference between context and connection
What makes math feel meaningful to students
A simple way to improve your lessons

✨ Key Takeaway: Real-world math isn’t about the story—it’s about the connection.

💌 Free Guide: Project or Practice?
Download here:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

The Difference Between Fun Math and Meaningful Math

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Not all engagement leads to learning.

In this episode, we break down the difference between fun math and meaningful math—and how to start designing lessons that actually stick.

In This Episode:

Why “fun” doesn’t always equal learning
The 3-part framework: real, relevant, rigorous
How to improve your lessons without starting over
A simple shift you can try right away

Key Takeaway: Meaningful math = real + relevant + rigorous.

Free Guide: Project or Practice?

Download here:
https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

165 Why Students Keep Asking “When Will I Ever Use This?” (And What That’s Really Telling You)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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When students ask this question, it’s not about attitude.

👉 It’s about relevance.

In this episode, we break down what students are really asking—and how to start making math feel more meaningful without redesigning your entire curriculum.

In This Episode:

Why students struggle to see the value in math
Why common teacher responses don’t work
What students actually need to stay engaged
A simple shift to make your lessons more relevant

Key Takeaway: Students engage when math feels useful—not just important.

💌Free Guide: Project or Practice?
Not sure when to use real-world projects vs. skill-based practice?

Download here: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

164 You’re Not Boring—Your Math Lessons Might Be

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

If your students feel disengaged during math class… it’s probably not you.

👉 It’s the lesson design.

In this episode, we break down why students check out—and why trying to be more “fun” isn’t the fix. Instead, we’re shifting toward what actually works: real, relevant, meaningful math.

In This Episode:

✨ Why engagement ≠ entertainment
✨ The real reason students lose interest in math
✨ The difference between fun vs. meaningful lessons
✨ One simple shift to try right away

Engagement comes from meaning, not energy.

Start by asking:
👉 “Why would my students care about this?”

📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice?

Not sure when to use real-world projects vs. skill-based practice?

👉 Grab the free guide: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice

A simple way to start making your math lessons more engaging—without adding more to your plate.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#163 What AI Is Revealing About Our Classrooms (And Why Students Are Using It)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday classroom life—but the real conversation may be bigger than whether students should be using it.

Students using AI isn’t the real story.

The real story is what their use of AI is revealing about how school currently works.

In this episode, I’m joined by Aron Boxer, CEO and Founder of Diversified Education Services and a former special education teacher and executive functioning specialist. Aron has more than 15 years of experience working with students and families and brings a relationship-based perspective to how students learn and develop.

Together, we explore what the rise of AI in education may actually be revealing about our current system.

Instead of focusing only on the technology itself, we dig into deeper questions:

Why has student AI use accelerated so quickly?
What does that trend tell us about the way students experience school?
What does meaningful human development look like in a world where information is no longer scarce?

For math teachers and classroom educators, this conversation also raises an important challenge: if technology can generate answers instantly, how do we design learning experiences that still prioritize reasoning, problem solving, and human connection?

This episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of learning and the skills students need most in an AI-driven world.

In This Episode We Discuss
✔ Why students are rapidly adopting AI tools
✔ The difference between cheating and adaptation
✔ How AI may be exposing deeper shortcomings in our education system
✔ Why banning AI may not solve the real problem
✔ The skills schools should prioritize when information is no longer scarce
✔ How teachers can preserve human connection and authentic thinking in AI-rich classrooms

About Our Guest
Aron Boxer is the CEO and Founder of Diversified Education Services. A former special education teacher and Director of Special Services, Aron specializes in executive functioning and learning differences. With more than 15 years of experience working directly with students and families, he focuses on a holistic, relationship-based approach to learning and development.

Connect with Aron:

https://www.instagram.com/aron_boxer_official_des/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronboxer/

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

162 AI Feedback That Actually Reaches Students (Before It's Too Late)

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

You spend the time grading. You write the comments. And then students look at the grade and move on. Sound familiar?

In this episode, Kristen tackles two of the biggest feedback problems math teachers face: feedback that comes too late to matter, and feedback that isn't personalized enough to actually help. She walks through the real tools she's using in her classroom to solve both — so your judgment as a teacher can reach every student, faster.

Tools mentioned:

ChatGPT / Claude (feedback prompt template included in episode)
Snorkl — instant AI feedback on student math explanations
Kiddom — AI feedback built into your LMS
Brisk — rubric-based personalized feedback

This week's challenge: Pick one tool and try it on your next assignment.

📲 Share what you tried: @moorethanjustx on Instagram 🌐 moorethanjustx.com

Sign up for Kristen's LAST AI in Math Education session with the Bureau of Educational Research: APRIL 1st! https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12

The Modern Math Teacher Podcast is part of the Teach Better Podcast Network.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

161 Lesson Plan AI: What Teachers need and What We Don't

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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Lesson plan AI is everywhere — but is it actually helping teachers?

In this episode, we explore what teachers truly need from AI lesson plan generators and why many educational technology trends miss the mark. You’ll learn how AI can support planning, differentiation, and feedback without adding more overwhelm.

In this episode, we cover:

Why many AI lesson plan generators fall short
What teachers actually need from lesson plan AI
How teaching with technology can protect teacher energy
Practical ways AI can support instructional decision-making

🎟️ Join me for a hands-on AI training with BER (March or April) where teachers actively create lessons and materials. https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12

🎁 Can’t attend live? Download the Ultimate AI Tools for Math Teachers Guide instead. https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/aiguide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

160 How Can AI Be Used in Education Without Killing Thinking?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

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How can AI be used in education without killing thinking?

In this episode, we explore how teachers can use AI education tools responsibly — without replacing productive struggle or meaningful learning. You’ll learn how AI can support lesson planning, reflection, and feedback while keeping student thinking at the center.

You’ll hear about:

Why AI itself isn’t the problem — design is
How AI literacy helps teachers use tools responsibly
Practical ways AI can support teacher planning
What responsible AI use actually looks like in math classrooms

🎁 Can’t attend live? Download the Ultimate AI Tools for Math Teachers Guide instead. https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/aiguide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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What if 10 million students could tell us what keeps them engaged in math — and what pushes them away?

In this episode, I sit down with veteran educator Sheila Robitaille (30 years in classrooms and administration across the U.S. and Canada, now with 3P Learning) to unpack what nearly two decades of World Maths Day participation reveals about math engagement, productive struggle, and that critical middle school-to-Algebra transition.

This conversation isn’t just about a contest. It’s about what happens to students’ confidence when abstraction increases — and how we can protect curiosity while raising rigor.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

🔄 The Middle School Shift

Why math suddenly feels more abstract
How pacing and performance pressure impact confidence
What happens to math identity during this transition

➗ Why We Lose Students in Algebra

When procedure replaces thinking
The unintended effects of “right answer” culture
How speed and comparison increase anxiety

🌍 A Global Perspective on Productive Struggle + Engagement

Two questions you must ask yourself as a teacher
Establishing a class culture to support struggle
How to create struggle that feels safe and purposeful
Every person can be a math person

🌍World Maths Day with Mathletics

Through global participation in World Maths Day, educators have observed:

Students lean in when challenge feels accessible
Immediate feedback increases persistence
Participation motivates more than ranking

Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-robitaille-8823864b

🌍Sign Up for World Maths Day: https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

158 Effective Math Teaching Strategies: What Comes After Productive Struggle?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive struggle is an essential part of effective math teaching strategies, but it only works when teachers plan intentionally for what comes next.

In this episode, we explore instructional teaching strategies that help students reflect, receive feedback, and formalize learning after challenging math tasks. You’ll hear examples of teaching strategies mathematics teachers use to turn struggle into lasting understanding.

Topics include:

Teaching strategies that support reflection after struggle
How feedback differs from fixing student thinking
Why formalizing learning matters in math instruction

If you want your math lessons to lead to deeper understanding—not just effort—this episode will help you close the gap.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

157 Productive Math Struggle in Practice: A Conversation with John SanGiovanni

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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In this special capstone episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by John SanGiovanni, co-author of Productive Math Struggle, for a reflective conversation on what productive struggle looks like in real classrooms—and how educators can support it intentionally.

This episode wraps up our six-part Productive Math Struggle mini-series and is guided by questions shared directly from teachers I’ve been working with across my district and county. Together, we reflect on the impact of this work, common challenges teachers face, and practical ways to support student thinking, perseverance, and confidence in math.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

Why productive struggle matters now more than ever
How to recognize productive vs. unproductive struggle
When to step in during struggle—and when to hold back
Small instructional shifts that make a big impact
Supporting productive struggle at the classroom and system level

📘 About the Guest
John SanGiovanni is a best-selling author and nationally recognized leader in mathematics education. He works as a mathematics coordinator in Maryland, leading curriculum and assessment development, professional learning, intervention, and school improvement planning. He is the author of more than two dozen mathematics education books, an international consultant, and a former board member of both the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.

🔗 Connect with John

Website: sangiomath.com
Social: @JohnSanGiovanni

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

156 Student Reflection Activities That Makes Struggle Stick

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 6: Reflecting on Productive Struggle

In the final episode of our Productive Math Struggle series, we explore the power of reflection — the often-missing piece that transforms struggle into lasting learning.

Grounded in research from Phillips (1987) and Sousa (2008), this episode focuses on how intentional reflection helps students make meaning of both what they learned and how they learned it. We share simple, flexible reflection routines that reinforce productive struggle, strengthen math identity, and build habits of perseverance.

🔑Key Takeaways

Reflection increases retention and meaning-making
Learning includes experience, not just content
Reflection reinforces that struggle is valued
Variety in reflection activities matters
Reflection should be routine, not constant
Teacher reflection improves future instruction
Celebration should be thoughtful and student-centered

📝Mini Move of the Week

👉 Add ONE reflection prompt focused on struggle to lesson closure.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect

🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
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🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

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155 Teaching Strategies to Support Productive Struggle in Real Time

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 5

In Part 5 of our Productive Math Struggle Series, we shift from planning to real-time classroom action: What do you actually do when students struggle?

Instead of panicking, rescuing, or over-explaining (we’ve ALL been there), we walk through five high-leverage, easy-to-implement teacher moves that keep struggle productive — not painful. Using insights from Warschauer (2014), Smith & Stein’s 5 Practices, Mona Iehl, and practical classroom experience, this episode gives you the exact moves to support student thinking without stealing the learning.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Not all struggle looks the same — knowing the type of struggle helps you respond effectively.
Supporting struggle ≠ rescuing answers. The real goal is rescuing thinking.
Small teacher moves have big impact on student confidence, perseverance, and identity.
Catch-and-Release is one of the most powerful whole-class strategies for addressing common challenges.
Referrals, graphic organizers, and anchor charts can build independence and reduce learned helplessness.
Metacognitive micro-questions help students become self-directed learners.
Honoring mistakes builds trust, reduces math anxiety, and strengthens classroom community.
Strategic nudging helps prevent spiraling frustration without removing the challenge.

✏️ Mini Move of the Week
👉 When a student gets stuck, don’t explain. Ask ONE metacognitive micro-question. Just one. Watch what happens.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect

🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
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🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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154 Designing Lesson Plans for Productive Struggle

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 4: Plan a Lesson with Productive Struggle

In Part 4 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dig into the HEART of rigorous math instruction: lesson planning that intentionally creates space for student thinking, sense-making, and meaningful struggle.

If you’ve been craving practical, teacher-ready strategies for selecting or modifying tasks, anticipating student thinking, and balancing conceptual understanding, fluency, and application — this is your masterclass. 🎓✨

🔑 Key Takeaways

Strong lesson design includes a clear math goal, intentional task selection, anticipatory planning, and reflection.
Mathematical language should be amplified, not simplified (Van de Walle).
High-quality tasks are essential for rigor — they reveal misconceptions and promote meaningful discussion.
Rigor = conceptual understanding + procedural fluency + application (CCSSO, 2019).
Doing the task yourself uncovers biases, reveals complexity, and improves instruction.
Anticipation is one of the highest-impact teacher practices (Smith & Stein’s 5 Practices).
Inquiry-first sequences (You Do → We Share → I Connect) create deeper learning and stronger reasoning.
Grouping, routines, and community-building are essential parts of planning for struggle.
You don’t have to overhaul everything at once — start with one lesson a week.

✏️ Mini Move of the Week

👉 Choose any math task and modify it using ONE strategy from today’s episode. Tiny task shifts → big thinking gains.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect

🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
📸 Instagram: @moorethanjustx
🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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153 Building Classroom Community in Your Math Class

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 3: Build Community for Productive Struggle

In Part 3 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we’re diving into what may be the single most important ingredient of productive struggle: Community is not a “nice-to-have.”
👉 It’s the foundation that makes productive struggle possible.

A math classroom community is a living, breathing ecosystem where students feel safe, valued, and supported enough to take academic risks. And when students are asked to think deeply, share ideas, make mistakes, and try again? That community becomes the backbone that makes productive struggle possible.

🔑 Key Takeaways

A productive math community is built on trust, safety, respect, and belonging.
Community is not a “Week 1” event — it must be maintained intentionally all year long.
Middle school and high school students face unique barriers that make community-building even more critical.
Students must co-create norms to feel ownership and accountability.
Community is strengthened by shared understanding of productive struggle, mistakes, and the learning process.
Teachers must periodically “take the temperature” of the class to reinforce norms and address disconnects.
Learning is deepest when students engage, discuss, debate, and reflect, not just work quietly. (Boaler, 2013; NCTM, 2014)

✏️ Mini Move of the Week
👉 Have students co-create a “Good Group / Bad Group” sort and build class norms from their ideas. Shared ownership = shared responsibility.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect

🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
📸 Instagram: @moorethanjustx
🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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152 Math Identity Matters: You ARE a Math Person

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 2: Foster an Identity for Productive Struggle

In Part 2 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dive into one of the most powerful — and overlooked — components of rigorous math learning: math identity.

This episode explores the roots of math identity, how trauma and early experiences shape student beliefs, and the practical tools teachers can use to help every student believe, “I am a math person.”

🔑 Key Takeaways

Math identity = beliefs + emotions + experiences + messages.
Students’ math identities are shaped long before they enter our classrooms.
Family beliefs, media messaging (“math is tough”), stereotypes, and past classroom experiences all contribute.
Math trauma plays a major role in identity formation (Vanessa Vakharia).
Teachers’ OWN math identities influence how they respond to struggle, mistakes, and student thinking.
Identity predicts whether students will lean into struggle or run from it.
Building identity requires intentional reflection, celebration, and countering negative beliefs.
Self-efficacy (Hattie, 2019) is one of the highest-impact influences on achievement.
Productive struggle cannot happen without a strong and positive math identity.

✏️ Mini Move of the Week

👉 Have students complete a mini math autobiography.
Just six simple prompts can give you BIG insights into how they see themselves.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect

🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
📸 Instagram: @moorethanjustx
🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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151 Why Productive Struggle Matters

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

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Part 1 of 6 in the Productive Math Struggle Series

Today we kick off our 6-part series inspired by Productive Math Struggle by John SanGiovanni, Susie Katt, and Kevin Dykema.

In this episode, we unpack Action 1: VALUE the Productive Struggle — and explore why getting stuck is one of the most powerful things that can happen in your math classroom. If you’re ready to shift from “right answer math” to “thinking-first math,” this is your episode. 🧠✨

🔑 Key Takeaways

Productive struggle is one of NCTM’s eight essential mathematics teaching practices.
You cannot value productive struggle if you only value right answers
Giving students the first crack at making meaning (before explicit instruction) is an equity move.
High expectations are a prerequisite for meaningful struggle — students rise (or fall) to the bar we set.
Productive struggle builds confidence, identity, perseverance, and agency.
Unproductive struggle can signal math trauma, shutdown, or avoidance behaviors.
Behavior is communication — and often a signal that students need support, not rescue.
A real growth mindset must be lived, not laminated.

✏️ Mini Move of the Week

👉 Name productive struggle out loud every time you see it.
Students need to know when they’re doing something powerful.

📚Read along with Us

Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

🔗 Listen & Connect
🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
📸 Instagram: @moorethanjustx
🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community

👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member
💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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Best of 2025: Boosting Student Discourse with Active Teaching

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Ready to jump start classroom discourse in your math class in 2026? Get your students eagerly discussing math with these active teaching strategies!

Enjoy this replay of: Episode #133 Active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion to find out the best teaching strategies to engage your students in mathematical discourse!

Inside you'll learn:
✅ Why passive instruction is killing engagement
✅ 3 go-to talk strategies you can use tomorrow
✅ Cooperative teaching strategies that build confidence and collaboration
✅ What NOT to do if you want students to participate

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Best of 2025: Classroom Routines + Procedures

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Middle and high school math classes benefit from classroom routines and procedures just as much as our elementary counterparts!

Do your classroom routines need a reset as we head into the second half of the school year? Enjoy Episode #130- 3 Must-Have Classroom Routines That Actually Work in Secondary Math.

✅ In this episode:

Why routines work better than rules
3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group work
Tips for launching these routines in the first weeks of school
How to use AI to scaffold structure and save your energy
A free planning guide to help you get started 📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your first step toward building routines for relevance and rigor
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Best of 2025: Student Centered Teaching Strategies

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Making the shift from teacher-led to student-centered teaching practices doesn't have to be a struggle. And you don't have to make the change to your instructional strategies alone!

Enjoy Episode 132:Student-Centered Teaching in Math Class-- your favorite episode this year on creating a student-centered classroom!

You’ll learn:
✅ What student-centered really means in a math class
✅ 3 small shifts to get started (no overhaul required)
✅ How structure and autonomy can coexist
✅ Why this shift leads to deeper student engagement

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Best of 2025: The Best Student Engagement Strategies

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom?

Enjoy this replay of Episode 129: Student Engagement Strategies That Actually Work in Math Class-- your favorite episode on boosting student engagement this year!

✅ In this episode:

Why boring math isn’t your fault—and why you’re not stuck there
What I learned from seeing problem-based math instruction in action
The small shifts that lead to big engagement wins
How AI can help you plan student-centered lessons faster
A free guide to help you start making math more meaningful 📘 Grab the free Project or Practice Expert Guide
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Best of 2025: Making Math Relevant

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Let's make math class relevant-- and spoiler alert it's more than just adding in a few real-world math problems to your worksheet or doing a once a year hands on math project.

Enjoy this replay of Episode 126: What Makes Math Feel Relevant? Isn’t it just Practical Examples of Real World Math?

It's your TOP downloaded episode this year all about making math relevant!

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144- Low-Prep Math Activities to Survive the Holiday Chaos (Without Losing Rigor 🎄)

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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The holidays are hectic—but learning doesn’t have to be. Kristen shares six classroom-tested, low-prep activities that keep math engaging when attention spans are short.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Use real-world data in a Holiday Data Challenge
✅ Turn review into a game with Rapid Review Showdown
✅ Get students moving with a Math Scavenger Hunt
✅ Launch a one-day Holiday Mini-Project
✅ Create excitement with a Math Escape Room
✅ Let students design their own questions for review
🤖 Plus AI prompts to build or personalize each activity in seconds!

Teacher Favorite Holiday Projects Mentioned:

🎄Winter Holidays Around the World🌏

🎁Gift Wrap Challenge

Challenge of the Week: Pick one activity, run it, and share your favorite student quote or aha moment inside the Modern Math Teacher Community.

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143- Rethinking Assessment: What Finals Prep Can Teach Us About What (and How) We Measure

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Finals week doesn’t have to be a panic button. In this episode, Kristen redefines assessment as feedback, not judgment—and shares five active teaching strategies that make review week engaging, equitable, and meaningful.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Turn review into reasoning with the 3-Round Review
✅ Use an Error Hunt to target misconceptions
✅ Celebrate growth with a Final Show-and-Tell
✅ Run a Station Rotation for multiple representations
✅ Let students lead with a Teach-Back Tournament
🤖 Plus: quick AI assists to generate problems, rubrics, and feedback — without extra prep.

💬 Challenge of the Week: Pick one of the five strategies, run it for your next review day, and reflect on what you learned about your students’ thinking.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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142 My National Board Journey—Redefining What Effective Math Teaching Looks Like

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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In this episode, Kristen shares why she decided to pursue National Board Certification now—and how that lens is already reshaping daily teaching moves. You’ll hear concrete strategies you can use this week (with or without NBC):

You’ll learn how to…

✅ Plan one “evidence moment” per lesson to capture real mathematical thinking
✅ Orchestrate discussions with 5 Practices (selecting & sequencing who shares)
✅ Create safe math spaces that elevate status and reduce math trauma
✅ Move from concept → vocabulary so terms actually stick
✅ Design finals review that pushes reasoning, not just recall

Mentioned:

🧭 Class norms & status-elevating talk moves
🧩 5 Practices for Mathematical Discussion
💬 “When I noticed ___, I decided to ___ because ___” reflection stem

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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141- 5 Easy Ways to Make Math Lessons Relevant (without a project!)

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Tired of hearing “When am I ever gonna use this?” 😩
This week, Kristen shares easy, low-prep ways to make your math lessons feel relevant and real—without turning every unit into a full-blown project.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Add real-world context to existing lessons
✅ Use AI tools to brainstorm examples and scenarios fast
✅ Let students personalize problems to increase buy-in
✅ Connect math to real-life decisions and reflection

💡 Plus, get practical AI prompts you can use right away to bring relevance to life—without adding extra prep.

Join me for Making Math Matter: Real-World Projects That Balance Rigor + Relevance at the FREE Make Math Moments Virtual Summit — Nov 14–16!

We’ll talk projects, AI, and practical strategies that make math stick.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#140: Reclaim Confidence, Creativity, and Joy in Math Class with the Rockstar Mindset 🤘

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Feeling stuck, bored, or burned out with traditional teaching? This episode will help you reclaim your spark with the PBL Rockstar Mindset—a powerful mindset shift that makes project based learning feel possible, empowering, and fun again.

The PBL Rockstar Mindset: Reclaim Confidence, Creativity, and Joy in Math Class
It’s time to stop playing small and start teaching math in a way that lights you up.

This episode shares what it means to have the PBL Rockstar Mindset—and how to bring project based learning to life in your math class without stress or perfection.

🎯 You’ll learn:
✅ How to shift from “I could never” to “I can do this my way”
✅ What Gold Standard Project Based Learning looks like in real classrooms
✅ Easy, actionable steps to make PBL part of your teaching identity
✅ How to use student centered teaching + thinking classroom strategies to support PBL

📥 Grab your Gold Standard PBL Planner →http://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner
🎧 Listen to the full episode →https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
👥 Join the teacher community → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#139: Tis the Season Real-World Math Students Actually Care About (Seasonal Edition 🍁❄️)

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Want to boost engagement during the fall slump or pre-holiday chaos? This episode shares real world math activities and projects that actually grab student interest—including seasonal ideas for fall and winter.

This episode dives into real world math applications that connect to seasonal events like football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Winter Olympics.

🎯 You’ll learn:
✅ How to bring relevance into your math class during fall + winter
✅ Math project ideas for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2
✅ Low-prep activities and warm-ups that feel real—not random
✅ Simple ways to increase student engagement without burning out

🎧 Listen to the full episode → https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share
📥 Grab the Fall & Winter PBL Projects → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Moore-Than-Just-X
👥 Join the teacher community → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

🎧 Great for teachers looking to increase engagement through November and December!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#138: What Mastery Based Looks Like in a Modern Math Class

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Want to try mastery based grading but stuck with a traditional grading scale? In this episode, Kristen breaks down how to bring mastery into your classroom without overhauling your entire system.

You’ll learn:
✅ What mastery really means (hint: it’s not perfection)
✅ How to use a 4-point rubric—even in a 100-point gradebook
✅ How to implement mastery checks and retakes without chaos
✅ Realistic, sustainable grading practices for secondary math teachers

🎧 Perfect for teachers ready to shift from grading everything to grading what matters.

📥 Download my Mastery Rubric & Checklist →https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/scales

📖Read more about Mastery Based Assessment in Math Class and get your Guide of 5 Secrets to Mastering a Mastery-Based Classroom, based on my 10+ years of teaching in one here: How mastery Based Assessment can Dramatically Improve Your Math Class

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#137 AI Tools That Save Math Teachers 5+ Hours a Week (Especially During Progress Report Season)

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Ready to reclaim your time and sanity this grading season? In this episode, Kristen shares her top AI tools for math teachers—including the ones she uses to write progress report comments, create rubrics, and plan faster.

You’ll learn:
✅ Which AI education tools are worth your time
✅ How to use an AI lesson plan generator the right way
✅ Tools for feedback, differentiation, and progress reports
✅ When to trust AI—and when to take back control

🎧 Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this episode will help you work smarter—not harder.

📥 Download the free AI Tools + Planning Prompts → https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/aiguide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#136 AI Classroom Policy: Should You Create One for Your Math Class?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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AI is already here—are your students using it responsibly? In this episode, Kristen breaks down how to write a simple but effective AI classroom policy that works in a secondary math setting.

You’ll learn:
✅ What every policy should include (even if your school doesn’t have one)
✅ How to teach AI literacy without going full-on computer science
✅ Practical examples of using AI tools with students, not against them
✅ A framework for setting boundaries around AI use in your class

🎧 Don’t wait for the next cheating scandal—get proactive and empower your students to use AI responsibly.

👥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Movement And Share your AI policy → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

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#135- Project-Based Learning Lesson Plan Ideas for Any Secondary Math Class

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Want to bring more relevance into your math class without reinventing the wheel? This episode breaks down project-based learning lesson plan ideas you can use right now—aligned to standards and built for real-world engagement.

You’ll learn:
✅ What PBL really looks like in a math class
✅ Examples of PBL lessons for linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions
✅ How to scaffold projects for student success
✅ Easy strategies for grading and reflection

🎧 Whether you’re brand new to PBL or ready to level up your practice, this episode is packed with ideas you can use tomorrow.

✨Grab these projects👇

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#134 Real-World Math Applications: Make Math Feel Relevant Again

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Listen in as we reveal the secret to using Real-World Math Applications to Make Core Content Feel Relevant Again.

Let’s face it—students want to know when they’ll actually use the math they’re learning. In this episode, Kristen shares how to make your lessons more meaningful with real world math applications—even if you’re stuck with a strict pacing guide.

Inside you'll learn:
✅ Why math often feels disconnected—and how to fix it
✅ Real-world examples for algebra, exponential functions, and systems
✅ How to embed relevance into warm-ups, word problems, and projects
✅ Low-prep tips for getting started this week

🎧 Perfect for teachers who want more engagement without reinventing the wheel.

🎧 LISTEN ON THE PODCAST
🎙 Spotify | Apple | Google → https://pod.link/1692336821

👥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Movement → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

🧠 Grab the Project or Practice Guide for Your Math Class → https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#133 Active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Are you looking for active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion in math class?

Tired of asking a question and hearing crickets? In this episode, Kristen shares active teaching strategies that actually get students talking.

🎧 Whether you're building a thinking classroom or just want less awkward silence, this episode is your guide.

Share the podcast 🎙 Spotify | Apple | Google → https://pod.link/1692336821

👥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Movement → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

#activeteachingstrategies #studentengagementactivities #cooperativeteachingstrategies #mathclassroomtalk

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More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#132 Student-Centered Teaching in Math Class

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Let's dive into Student-Centered Teaching: How to Build Autonomy Without Losing Control in your Math Class!

Ready to shift your math class from teacher-led to student-driven? In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly what student-centered teaching looks like—and how to create autonomy without chaos.

🎧 Listen in for practical, real-world strategies to help you empower your students—without losing control of your classroom.

🎧 LISTEN ON THE PODCAST
🎙 Spotify | Apple | Google → https://pod.link/1692336821

👥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Movement → https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

📩 Get weekly ideas + freebies → Project or Practice Guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
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More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#131 Real-World Math Projects Your Students Will Actually Care About

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Not all real-world math is created equal.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what makes a math project actually relevant to your students—and how to make math feel meaningful without needing a full curriculum rewrite.

You’ll learn what students really care about, how to design your first spark of engagement, and how to use AI tools to help personalize your next project in seconds.

✅ In this episode:

Why some real-world math projects fall flat
What makes students buy into a math task (hint: it’s not just budgeting!)
Examples of topics and formats students actually care about
How to start small and build a real-world spark
How AI can support you in designing faster and smarter
A free tool to help you plan your first (or next!) student-centered project

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Grab the Gold Standard Project Planner to map out your next student-centered project with confidence
→ http://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

Relevance = personal, practical, or conceptual meaning for students
You don’t need a full PBL unit to start—you need one intentional spark
Projects land better when they connect to what students are already thinking and talking about
AI can save you time brainstorming topics, building tasks, and personalizing for your class

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#130- 3 Must-Have Classroom Routines That Actually Work in Secondary Math

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Ready to stop managing behavior and start supporting student thinking?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the three essential classroom routines every secondary math teacher needs—especially if you're trying to run a student-centered classroom without constant chaos.

You’ll learn how to start class with purpose, build student talk into your everyday structure, and support group work with clarity and confidence.

We’re also talking about how AI tools can help you build and maintain these routines without spending hours planning.

✅ In this episode:

Why routines work better than rules
3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group work
Tips for launching these routines in the first weeks of school
How to use AI to scaffold structure and save your energy
A free planning guide to help you get started

🔗 Resources & Links:

📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your first step toward building routines for relevance and rigor
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

Routines = clarity = fewer behavior issues
Entry routines, math talk norms, and group structures give students purpose and predictability
AI can help generate, visualize, and maintain routines all year long
You don’t need to do it all. Start with one routine and build from there.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#129- Student Engagement Strategies That Actually Work in Math Class

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom?

Spoiler: it’s not quiet rows, silent worksheets, or step-by-step compliance.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my Holt student teaching placement—the moment I realized math class could be so much more—and walking through real engagement strategies you can use right now.
You’ll also hear how AI can help you ditch boring lessons without doubling your workload.

✅ In this episode:

Why boring math isn’t your fault—and why you’re not stuck there
What I learned from seeing problem-based math instruction in action
The small shifts that lead to big engagement wins
How AI can help you plan student-centered lessons faster
A free guide to help you start making math more meaningful

🔗 Resources & Links:

📘 Grab the free Project or Practice Expert Guide
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

Engagement isn’t about entertainment—it’s about ownership
Relevance starts with real-world connections students actually care about
AI can help you level up your instruction without burning out
You don’t need to do everything—just take the first step

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#128 My First Real-World Math Project Was a Mess—What I’d Do Differently Now (with AI Support)

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Ever launch a project you were sure would be a hit… only for it to totally flop?

In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of my first real-world math project—a polished, professionally-designed activity that completely fell apart in the classroom.

But that failure? It led to one of my most powerful, student-centered projects yet: Change My Mind.

You’ll hear what went wrong, how I rebuilt from it, and how AI tools have made it 10x easier to plan projects that actually land—without draining your soul.

✅ In this episode:

The truth behind my failed “laser maze” project
How I shifted from burnout to breakthrough with real-world relevance
Why your projects need to connect to your students—not just the standards
Simple ways AI can support your project planning process
A free guide to help you map your first (or next!) student-centered task

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Grab the Project or Practice Expert Guide

→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

Even great projects can flop if they don’t connect to your students.
Real-world math becomes powerful when it’s personal and relevant.
You don’t have to start from scratch—AI tools can help you scaffold faster and smarter.
You’re not doing it wrong. You just need a better way.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#127 The First 5 Minutes Can Transform Student Engagement in Your Math Class

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What if the most powerful way to shift your math class didn’t take a new curriculum—just the first 5 minutes?

In this episode, we’re exploring how to kick off your class period with warm-ups that build relevance, confidence, and classroom culture. You’ll learn how to use thinking routines and real-world tasks to engage students before the lesson even begins—and how to structure those warm-ups to support meaningful math talk.

✅ In this episode:

Why traditional warm-ups miss the mark—and what to try instead
4 powerful warm-up strategies that build buy-in from the start
How to create structure and routine for productive math discourse
One free guide to help you map out your first few weeks

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your free step-by-step tool to plan engaging, student-centered math tasks from Day 1
👉 Download Now

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast here: https://pod.link/1692336821

💡 Key Takeaways:

A strong warm-up is more than review—it’s a ritual that builds trust, curiosity, and critical thinking. The best way to start student engagement in the day!
You don’t have to start with a big project. Small, intentional moves make a big difference in student engagement.
With the right guide and a few simple routines, you can transform your class in the first 5 minutes.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#126 What Makes Math Feel Relevant? Isn’t it just Practical Examples of Real World Math?

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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We all want our students to feel like math matters—but what does “relevant” even mean in the classroom? Is it just practical math examples?

Spoiler: It’s not just about adding real-world word math problems to a worksheet or doing a budget project once a year.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what relevance really looks like, why it’s critical to student engagement, and how to start weaving it into your math class from Day 1.

✅ In this episode:

Why “relevance” is more than just career connections or life skills
The different types of math relevance you can tap into right now
Quick strategies to build real-world connections—without blowing up your curriculum
A free guide to help you plan with purpose

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your step-by-step tool to design engaging tasks that make math meaningful
👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821

💡 Key Takeaways:

Math becomes relevant when students see a connection to their identity, interests, or the world around them.
You don’t need a full-blown project—one intentional question or warm-up can create powerful buy-in.
Starting with a real world math or relevant task can shape the tone of your classroom all year long.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#125 Start Small, Finish Strong: The Power of a Mini Real World Math Project

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Big shifts don’t require big overhauls. If you’ve been craving a way to make math more meaningful without throwing out your whole curriculum, this episode is for you.

✅ Whether you joined the Bootcamp or not, this is your reminder that bite-sized, student-centered changes—like a mini project—can create real momentum.
✅ You’ll hear exactly how small actions this week are already paying off for teachers and how you can take your own next step.
✅ And if you're ready for the tools, support, and confidence to run with it, now’s the perfect time to join the Modern Math Teacher Membership.

💥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Membership (Open through August 10!): Join Today!

💡 Key Takeaways:

Mini real world math projects are powerful, low-risk ways to build engagement and confidence in your classroom.
It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing something small and intentional.
You don’t have to do this alone—the membership gives you the tools, math projects, and community to help you every step of the way.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#124 You’re Not Boring, But Your Math Curriculum Might Be

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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If you’ve ever walked out of your math classroom thinking, “Why don’t they care? What am I doing wrong?”—this episode is for you.
Spoiler alert: You’re not the problem. The system is.

In this episode, we’re digging into:
✅ Why even the best teachers struggle to engage students with scripted, one-size-fits-all math curriculum
✅ What real student engagement actually looks like (hint: it’s not loud or flashy)
✅ How to spark meaningful change in your math class—without a full overhaul or replacing your math curriculum

You don’t need to throw everything out and start over. You just need one intentional spark to reset your classroom vibe. That’s exactly what we’re doing this week inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp—and it’s not too late to join us.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
💥 Join the Bootcamp (before doors close!): moorethanjustx.com/bootcamp
🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

You are not boring—your math curriculum might just be out of touch with what your students need.
Engagement doesn’t mean being a performer—it means creating choice, challenge, and connection.
One small change (like a warm-up, anchor task, or mini project) can totally reset your classroom culture.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#123 – 3 Quick Wins You’ll Walk Away With at Bootcamp

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Wondering if the Back to School Bootcamp is for you?

You don’t need a 180-day curriculum plan.
You just need 3 small wins to start the year strong.

In this episode, I walk you through what you’ll ACTUALLY build inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp:

✅ Day 1: One first-week spark that sets the tone
✅ Day 2: An anchor task that sparks real thinking
✅ Day 3: A simple year-at-a-glance roadmap

In this episode, I walk you through:
✔️ What you’ll build on each of the 3 days
✔️ Why you don’t need to be fully ready to get real wins
✔️ How this Bootcamp helps you actually teach differently before school starts

🎯 Save your seat here: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/bootcamp

📩 DM me @moorethanjustx if you have questions!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#122: Get Ready for the Back To School Bootcamp —Creating a KickAss Math Class

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Build Your Dream Math Class in Just 3 Days (Without the Overwhelm)

Want a math class that feels more real, relevant, and engaging—but not sure where to start?

The (FREE) Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp is your answer.

If you’re ready to build a math class that feels real, relevant, and rigorous — but don’t know where to start — this 3-day Bootcamp is your on-ramp.

In this episode, I break down:
✅ What we’re building during the 3-day bootcamp
✅ Why this is the perfect starting point for teaching differently
✅ How even busy teachers can walk away with real wins
✅ What support, templates, and systems are waiting for you

🎯 Save Your Seat for the 🆓Bootcamp
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/bootcamp

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#121: How to Get Started As a Modern Math Teacher (Even If You’re Not “Techy”)

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Worried you’re not “techy” enough to transform your teaching with real-world, project-based math?

You’re not alone—and the good news is: you don’t need to be.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to run engaging, real-world math lessons.

In this episode, I’ll share:
✔️ Why low-tech strategies still work
✔️ How to build confidence without jumping into complicated tools
✔️ Examples from inside the membership that don’t require tech
✔️ How to get the support you need without the overwhelm

🎯 Join the Waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

💬 DM me @moorethanjustx if you want to chat about what a tech-light classroom could look like for you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#120: Still Planning Lessons Alone? Let’s Fix That

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Trying to make your math class more engaging, more real, and more relevant—completely alone?

Are you still lesson planning alone at your kitchen table?
You’re not lazy. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just trying to do too much without a support system.

You were never meant to do this work in isolation.

In today’s episode, we explore:
✔️ Why planning solo creates decision fatigue
✔️ How collaboration changes your confidence + clarity
✔️ What makes our membership PLCs so powerful (and flexible!)
✔️ How to finally stop spinning your wheels

🎯 Join the Modern Math Teacher Membership Waitlist:
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#119 BTS— What’s Inside the Modern Math Teacher Membership

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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If you're tired of buying resources that don't solve your classroom struggles, this episode is for you.

I’m giving you a full behind-the-scenes tour of the Modern Math Teacher Membership—and sharing you why it’s so much more than just a library of lessons.

💡 Inside This Episode:
✅ Why most resource memberships still leave teachers overwhelmed
✅ What the Kickass Math Class Success Path actually looks like
✅ How plug-and-play projects + planning tools work together
✅ Why this support system is different from anything you’ve tried before

🎯 Want in? Join the Waitlist Now
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

✨Make sure you're in the Facebook group to get the LIVE action walk through! https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#118: The Truth About Teaching Real-World Math

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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There are so many myths out there about teaching real-world math:
👉 It’s too hard to plan
👉 Students can’t handle it
👉 You have to sacrifice rigor

None of it is true.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real story—and showing you how real-world, relevant, and rigorous math is totally doable with the right tools and support.

🎙 In this episode, I’m breaking down:
✅ Why planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming
✅ Why your students can handle real-world math
✅ Why real-world lessons actually boost rigor, not reduce it
✅ What makes the Modern Math Teacher Membership the support you’ve been missing

🎯 Join the Waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership:
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#117 Why Your Students Deserve This Kind of Math Class

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Let’s put aside standards and curriculum for a moment.
Let’s talk about the actual humans in your classroom.
Because chances are, you’ve felt it too:
“They deserve more than just what the textbook gives them.”

✅ They deserve to see math as meaningful.
✅ They deserve to feel confident and curious — not just compliant.
✅ They deserve your best, even when the system doesn’t make it easy.

🎧 In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, we’re exploring:

What students actually want from math class
Why traditional instruction leaves them disconnected
How we shift from compliance to curiosity
What support teachers need to make it happen (without burning out)

🎯 Join the Waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership:
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#116 Done-For-You Projects Are Not Enough

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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We’ve all been there:
📥 You download a promising project.
📄 The instructions look solid.
✅ The math checks out.
But once it hits your classroom? Something’s missing.

The truth is: done-for-you isn’t the same as done-right.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the “Done-for-You Trap” — why great resources still fall flat without the systems, structure, and support to implement them successfully.

🎧 We’ll cover:

Why the best projects still need scaffolds and systems
What teachers really need to make PBL work
How the Modern Math Teacher Membership combines resources + coaching to make it sustainable

🎯 Join the Waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership:
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#115: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make When Trying to Teach Real-World Math

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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You’ve seen all the cool Pinterest projects and Instagram reels that make real-world math look effortless. But when you try it in your classroom?
🙄 The kids don’t care.
🌀 The lesson falls flat.
😤 Or worse—it turns into total chaos.

In this episode, I’m sharing the three most common mistakes teachers make when trying to implement real-world math—and exactly how to fix them.

✅ You’ll learn:

Why surface-level “fun” isn’t the same as real engagement
How to make your math tasks actually feel relevant to your students
How to hit rigor without overwhelming them

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Modern Math Teacher Membership gives you the structure, tools, and support you need to make this kind of teaching sustainable and successful.

🎯 Join the Waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership:
👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/waitlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#114 The 5-Stage Path to a Kickass Math Class

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What if transforming your math classroom didn’t require a complete overhaul—just a roadmap?

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the 5-stage success path at the heart of the Modern Math Teacher Membership. Whether you're stuck in survival mode or starting to explore project-based learning and real-world applications, this episode will help you see exactly where you are—and what to focus on next.

🔍 We’ll cover:

The 5 R’s that make up the success path
How to identify which stage you’re in right now
What to prioritize so you don’t burn out or waste time
How this framework helps you finally make consistent progress toward a more modern, student-centered math class

✨ Want to see yourself on this journey?
👉 Join the Modern Math Teacher Membership waitlist to be the first to know when doors officially open

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#113 From Survival to Success: A Summer Reset Plan

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What if summer wasn’t just a break… but a bold reset?
In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, we’re ditching the survival mindset and using summer as a launchpad for a lighter, more aligned school year. Whether you’re sipping coffee on the porch or finally clearing out your inbox, this is your invitation to pause—and reimagine.

We’ll walk through:

🧠 How to rethink summer as a time for reinvention, not just recovery
🛠 Easy, bite-sized rituals to reset your classroom systems and lesson design
😴 Permission to rest AND dream big again
🎯 One bold but gentle goal you can set to feel aligned by July

✨ Action Step: Take a screenshot of this episode and share your Summer Math Reset Goal on Instagram or Facebook! Tag me so I can cheer you on—and I’ll reshare a few to inspire other math teachers just like you.

👉 Want more tools to reset your math classroom with real, relevant, and rigorous instruction?

Join Early Access for the Modern Math Teacher Membership here: https://www.projectbasedmathclass.com/products/offers/view/1183828

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#112 – You’re Not the Only One Doing This Alone

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Feel like you’re the only one in your school trying to make math meaningful?

In this episode, I’m getting real about what it’s like to teach differently—and the loneliness that can come with it. From being the only math teacher at a brand-new charter school to building a classroom from scratch, I’ve lived the “lone wolf” life. And if you’re there right now, this one’s for you.

✅ In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Why teaching differently can feel isolating
My “lone wolf” story from the charter school days
The power of shared language, support, and PLCs
What we’re creating inside the Modern Math Teacher Membership
How to start building your own support system today

📥 Resources Mentioned:
➡️ Get in on Early Access for the Modern Math Teacher Membership
➡️ DM me “COMMUNITY” to get connected before launch day

🎯 Key Takeaway:
You’re not the only one. And starting today, you don’t have to do this alone.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#111 – The Lesson Design Hack That Saves Time and Increases Engagement

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Ever feel like lesson planning takes forever—and still falls flat with students?

In this episode, I’m sharing the Reality Check, my go-to lesson design framework that helps you quickly build lessons that are real, relevant, and rigorous. Whether you’re designing a warm-up, full lesson, or project milestone, this hack saves time and boosts student buy-in.

✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:

How I created the Reality Check after a project flop with MazerTag
What it actually means to make math real, relevant, and rigorous
A quick example using quadratic graphing
How to use AI + the CRAFT framework to streamline planning
One small action step to improve any lesson this week

📥 Resources Mentioned:

➡️ Get full Access to the Reality Check training and resources with Early access to Modern Math Teacher Membership
➡️ DM me “REALITY” and I’ll help you run your lesson through the framework together!

🎯 Key Takeaway:
A great lesson isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. And the Reality Check helps you design lessons that land.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#110: The #1 Shift That Changes Everything (and It’s Not More Work)

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What if your classroom didn’t need more resources—but a better rhythm?

In this episode, I’m sharing the one shift that changed everything for me as a math teacher: designing with rhythm. From launching units with anchor activities to structuring daily warm-ups and routines, I’ll show you how simple systems lead to better engagement, deeper understanding, and more peace—for you and your students.

✅ In this episode, we’ll explore:

Why teaching is like choreography—and how rhythm creates calm
How I start each unit with an anchor activity students remember
What makes warm-ups actually work
The biggest mistake teachers make with structure
One rhythm shift you can try this week

📥 Mentioned in this episode:
➡️ Get early access to the Modern Math Teacher Membership NOW
➡️ DM me “ANCHOR” for a sneak peek at the weekly rhythm structure

🎯 Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to plan harder—you need to plan with rhythm.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

🤩 BONUS: What’s Coming in the Modern Math Teacher Membership

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Let’s chat—send me a text!

Have you been listening to these episodes thinking, “Yes! This is the kind of math class I want—but I can’t do it alone”?
Then this episode is for you.

Today I’m giving you an inside look at the Modern Math Teacher Membership—what it is, who it’s for, and how you can get in early as a founding member. I’ll also share the story that inspired it all—the moment everything clicked in my own classroom, when my students took ownership of a project and finally believed that math mattered.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

🧠 Why I created the membership and the story behind Change the Challenge
📦 What’s inside: the full resource library, success path, mini trainings, and PLC meetups
👩‍🏫 Who this space is really for (hint: probably you if you're here!)
🔄 What transformation early members are already seeing
🚀 How to lock in your founding member pricing and be part of this movement from the start

Action Step:
👉 Go to projectbasedmathclass.com/membership
Join now, lock in your $15/month founding rate, and finally get the tools, structure, and community you need to make your math class real, relevant, and rigorous.

Or DM me the word MODERN on Instagram or Facebook and I’ll send you the early access link directly.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#109: PBL Without the Chaos: Yes, It’s Possible

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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You want to do PBL, but every time you think about it… you panic. What if it flops? What if it’s chaos? Been there. Done that. In this episode, I’m sharing how I went from panicked to confidently using project-based learning in my classroom—without the mess.

Inside this episode:

✔ Why PBL feels chaotic (and why it doesn’t have to be)

✔ The biggest mistake teachers make when starting project-based learning

✔ How project milestones create structure and boost learning

💡 Try This: Sketch out your next project. Add 2-3 mini-deadlines. Ask: What should students know or show by each one?

🎯 Key Takeaway: PBL isn’t chaos. It’s just control with a purpose. And structure is your secret weapon.

📥 Resources:

➡️ Join the Modern Math Teacher Now

➡️ Create Your Own Project Pathway

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#108: Signs You’re Ready to Teach Differently

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Ever feel like your class is full of students… but no one is really there with you? The crickets. The side conversations. The phone scrolling. If that sounds familiar, you’re not failing—you’re ready.

Inside this episode:

✔ 3 red flags that your current teaching approach isn’t working (and what they really mean)

✔ The mindset shift that saved my sanity (and my students’ engagement)

✔ Why it’s not about ditching standards—it’s about connecting them to your kids

💡 Try This: Reflect on the last lesson or unit where students zoned out. How could you shift just one moment to reconnect with them?

🎯 Key Takeaway: You’re not teaching standards or students. You’re teaching both. And the magic is in the connection.

📥 Resources:

➡️ Modern Math Teacher Membership Early Access isn’t OPEN!

➡️ Project to Practice Guide

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#107: Why “Real, Relevant, and Rigorous” Is the Future of Math

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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If you’re tired of hearing your students ask, “When are we ever gonna use this?”—this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down the 3 R’s that have reshaped my math class: Real, Relevant, and Rigorous. And no, these aren’t just buzzwords.

Inside this episode:

✔ What it really means to design math that’s real, relevant, and rigorous

✔ A behind-the-scenes look at my Save for Success Project

✔ The litmus test I use to decide if a lesson is worth teaching

💡 Try This: Pick a lesson you’re planning this week. Does it hit all three R’s? If not, choose one area to upgrade.

🎯 Key Takeaway: We don’t do projects because they’re fun—we do them because life is a project.

📥 Resources:

➡️ Save for Success Project (Career + Finance Algebra Activity)

➡️ Free Gold Standard Project Planner

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#106: The Math Class They’ll Remember

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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Is your math class unforgettable—for the right reasons? In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful story from a cross-curricular Rocket Project that completely shifted how I thought about engagement. It reminded me that students don’t remember worksheets. They remember moments.

Inside this episode:

✔ How I turned a standard quadratics unit into a project students couldn’t stop talking about

✔ Why cross-curricular work matters more than we give it credit for

✔ A super easy way to make any word problem feel more relevant using AI

💡 Try This: Take one boring textbook word problem and use AI to rewrite it with your students' names and interests. Watch what happens when they feel seen in your lesson.

🎯 Key Takeaway: Want students to remember your class? Start with a moment they’ll care about.

📥 Resources:

➡️ Modern Math Teacher Membership Waitlist

➡️ Real World Rocket Project: Try it Here

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#105 – Chicken Nuggets, Pop, and Video Projects: Boosting Math Engagement with Clement Townsend

Thu, 29 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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🍗🥤 What do chicken nuggets, pop, and student-created videos have in common? They're all part of today’s conversation on how instructional videos can transform engagement in your math class.

I’m joined by Clement Townsend, founder of Video Pro Learning, to dive into best practices for educational video projects, why video isn’t just for ELA anymore, and how Google Vids + simple tools can make blended learning approachable—even if you’re new to tech.

In this episode, we cover:
✅ Why student-created videos work in math classrooms (and how they deepen understanding)
✅ How to overcome tech hesitations + start small with Google Vids or Canva
✅ Real stories of students unlocking engagement in fun, creative ways (hello, nuggets + pop!)
✅ The powerful future-ready skills video projects help build
✅ Why “when students create to learn, they remember for life” should be your new mindset shift

🎯 Key Takeaway: Instructional videos aren’t fluff—they’re a legit way to build creativity, collaboration, and confidence in your math class.

📢 Resources Mentioned:

Learn more at videoprolearning.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#104 – Creative Final Exam Review with Stations, Choice Boards, and a Little Help from AI

Tue, 27 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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😮‍💨 Feeling overwhelmed by finals prep? Whether you’re planning a final exam review for Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2, today’s episode is here to save your sanity—and your time.

I’m sharing creative, low-prep ideas to get your students engaged and reviewing without the usual stress-fest. Plus, you’ll hear how to use AI + ready-made warm-ups to build review stations and choice boards in a snap.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why a simple “one day per topic” structure is my go-to for finals review
✅ How to set up engaging review stations (and build them fast!)
✅ How to use choice boards for student-driven review
✅ Time-saving AI hacks to streamline your planning
✅ A full week sample plan for stress-free final exam prep

🎯 Key Takeaway: With a little creativity (and a lot of strategy), you can plan a full review week fast—and keep it meaningful, whether you’re prepping Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2.

📥 Mentioned:

Warm-up + Task Card sets (perfect for stations!) 👉 Shop Task Cards
My favorite AI Guide 👉Download Now

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#103 – Your Summer, Your PD: What Do You Want to Hear Next?

Thu, 22 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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☀️Summer is almost here—and so is my Summer Series Poolside PD designed to make your teacher professional development feel more like iced coffee on the porch than a boring meeting. 😎

In this quick episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming AND asking for your input to help shape the next few months of bite-sized, bingeable episodes.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ Why I created the Summer Series for busy teachers like you
✅ A sneak peek at upcoming topics: PBL, AI hacks, back-to-school prep + more
✅ How to vote + submit your ideas for episodes that YOU want most

🎯 Key Takeaway: This summer’s PD is all about you—real-world strategies, zero overwhelm, and fresh math ideas to set you up for success.

💬 How to Share Your Ideas:
➡ Message me right here in your podcast app (top of the show notes)
➡ DM me on Instagram or Facebook
➡ Vote in the Modern Math Teacher Facebook group poll

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

#102 – Finishing Strong: Building Math Mindset and Confidence at the End of the Year

Tue, 20 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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🤔 How can you help students leave your class feeling confident—even if they struggled all year? In this episode, we’re focusing less on the math and more on the mindset that sticks with students long after the final exam.

We’ll explore simple, meaningful ways to build a growth mindset and foster a strong mathematics mindset—so your students walk away believing they can succeed in math.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why math mindset matters most at the end of the year
✅ 3 easy reflection activities that help students recognize their growth
✅ Simple tweaks to your review routines to build confidence
✅ Language shifts that empower students (and YOU) to finish strong

My Favorite Math Mindset Books 📚
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of growth mindset and mathematics mindset, these books are my go-to resources:

Mindset by Carol Dweck
Mindsets in the Classroom by Mary Cay Ricci
The Growth Mindset Coach by Annie Brock & Heather Hundley
Mathematical Mindsets by Jo Boaler

Note: These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them. I only recommend what I truly love and use!

🎯 Key Takeaway: A few small changes now can make a lasting impact on how your students see themselves as mathematicians.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#101 – Free, Fun, and Still Rigorous: End-of-Year Math Activities That Just Work

Thu, 15 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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✏️ Looking for free math activities for high school that are actually fun and meaningful? You’re in the right place. In this episode, I’m sharing my top 3 FREE, low-prep, high-impact math activities to keep your students learning (and moving) through the end of the year.

These aren’t just fluff—they’re rigorous, hands-on, and tied directly to key standards for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.

In this episode, you’ll get:
✅ A full breakdown of my favorite freebies:

✈️ Paper Airplane Math
🚀 Mini Paper Rocket Launch
🎨 Stained Glass Mini Project

✅ Creative ways to stretch these into sub plans, station rotations, or independent projects

✅ Links to grab them all for FREE (yep, 100% free!)

📥 Resources Mentioned:
➡ Paper Airplane Math: Download Now
➡ Mini Rocket Launch: Download Now
➡ Stained Glass Mini: Download Now

🎯 Key Takeaway: The last weeks of school can be fun, focused, and free—while still keeping the rigor.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#100 🎉 15 Real Moments from 15 Years of Teaching: What They Taught Me

Tue, 13 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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What better way to celebrate 100 episodes than by keeping it 100% real?

In this milestone episode, I’m looking back on 15 real, raw, and totally relatable teaching moments from the past 15 years of my math classroom. From launching tennis balls across fields (oops) to learning the hard way why some things can’t be gray (looking at you, cell phones), I’m sharing the funny fails, the powerful lessons, and the mindset shifts that helped me grow into the teacher I am today.

Whether you’re in year 1 or year 20, this one’s for YOU. Let’s celebrate the work we do—and all the messy, beautiful moments in between.

🎧 In this episode, I share:

Why lesson plans aren’t everything (but routines are)
The truth about curriculum vs. instructional practices
What I learned by literally becoming a projectile target 💀
When to loosen up—and when to tighten up
Why big kids need fun just as much as littles
And 10+ other lessons from the classroom trenches

🔗 Links + Resources

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moorethanjustx/videos
👇 Join the conversation in our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

❤️ Thanks for being part of this podcast journey! Leave a review or share this episode with a teacher friend who needs a boost!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#99 – How Snorkl Transformed My Math Class: AI-Powered Practice that Builds Deeper Understanding

Thu, 08 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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🤔 What are the best AI tools for teaching math? If you’ve been asking this, I have a game-changing classroom story for you!

In this episode, I’m sharing my new favorite AI tool—Snorkl—and how it completely transformed my lesson on graphing trigonometric functions. I’ll take you behind the scenes of an unforgettable class period where students:
✔ Got instant feedback that deepened their understanding
✔ Naturally used precise academic vocabulary
✔ Persisted through challenges and collaborated like never before

💡 The result? Stronger math discussions, more confident problem-solving, and meaningful connections between graphs and equations—especially with tricky sine and cosine waves!

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ What Snorkl is and why it’s my top pick for AI-powered math practice
✅ The unexpected benefits my students experienced (engagement + rigor!)
✅ Actionable tips for using Snorkl in your classroom this week

📥 Resources Mentioned:
➡ Download my free AI Guide for Math Teachers: Get the Guide
➡ Explore Snorkl’s math activities: snorkl.app

🎯 Key Takeaway: When AI tools are designed well, they don’t just check answers—they spark deeper thinking, rich conversations, and true math growth.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#98 – You’re the MVP: A Big Thank You + Easy End-of-Year Ideas to Celebrate YOU

Tue, 06 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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🥳 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week—and this episode is all about YOU. Whether you’re coasting into summer or barely hanging on (no shame), I want to say THANK YOU for the work you do every single day.

In this special episode, we’re keeping things light, fun, and helpful with:
✔ Heartfelt encouragement (because you deserve it)
✔ Fun end-of-year teacher superlatives (grab your coffee and laugh along)
✔ Easy, low-prep math activities that are actually rigorous—and on sale for Teacher Appreciation Week deals!

💡 Whether you need a boost or a quick idea to survive May, this one’s for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ A heartfelt reminder of why your work matters (even when it feels like a slog)
✅ My favorite teacher superlatives to make you smile
✅ 5 low-prep, high-impact math projects + activities that make end-of-year review easy

📥 Resources Mentioned:
➡ Check out my TpT store for Teacher Appreciation Week deals: Shop Now

🎯 Key Takeaway: You’re making a difference—today and every day. Let’s make May easier (and a little more fun) while we’re at it.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#97 Teachers Deserve their Time Back with Rae Hughart

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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Teaching doesn’t have to be exhausting. What if small shifts could give you back your time, reduce burnout, and make learning more engaging—without adding extra stress?

In this episode, I’m joined by Rae Hughart, educator, speaker, and founder of Teachers Deserve It. Rae is passionate about helping teachers set boundaries, reclaim their time, and make learning meaningful for students in a way that’s practical and sustainable.

We’re diving into simple, actionable strategies to help you take back control of your time, rethink professional development, and bring real-world connections into your classroom.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Time-saving strategies to lighten your workload and avoid burnout.
✔️ How to make professional development work for you instead of feeling like another task.
✔️ Practical ways to bring real-world connections into your lessons.
✔️ The truth about flexible seating and how to design an effective classroom setup.

💡 Key Takeaway: Teaching doesn’t have to be hard. Small shifts can lead to big changes, helping you set boundaries, reclaim your time, and still create an engaging, student-centered classroom.

Resources Mentioned:
🎓 TeachersDeserveIt.com – Explore Rae’s Learning Hub and access bite-sized PD designed for busy teachers.
💰 Promo Code: PodcastFan – Get $5 off each month for your first year of the Learning Hub!
📲 Follow Rae Hughart on Social Media: @RaeHughart

✨ Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow teacher who needs to hear this message!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#96 Fun Math Activities To Get out and Enjoy the Spring Weather

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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🎧 What if you could take math outside and still hit your learning goals?
Say goodbye to packets and hello to sunshine ☀️—because spring is the perfect time to take your math lessons outdoors without sacrificing rigor.

In this episode, I’m sharing two of my favorite math projects that work perfectly outside and still cover those key standards. Whether you’re wrapping up a unit or just trying to harness that end-of-year energy, these real-world projects will get your students moving, engaged, and learning.

We’ll explore:
🌟 Why outdoor learning increases focus and engagement
🌟 How outdoor settings bring math concepts to life
🌟 Two epic, student-approved math projects:
• Rocket Project – Quadratic functions meet water-powered fun
• Kite Project – Geometry, trig, and similarity in action

Plus, bonus ideas like sidewalk chalk graphing, math scavenger hunts, and geometry photo walks to add a little sunshine to your standards.

📎 Resources & Links Mentioned:

🎯 Want to try these in your classroom? Grab them from my TpT store and bring some fresh air into your lesson plans.

Until next time,
Keep your students moving, keep the learning real, and as always… keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#95 Hands-On Math Activities + Projects Students Love

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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🎧 What if your next math review or intro lesson didn’t feel like a worksheet… but like a real, creative challenge your students couldn’t wait to do?

If spring fever has hit your classroom, it’s time to switch gears and bring in hands-on math activities that are engaging, meaningful, and standards-aligned.

In this episode, I’m sharing three of my favorite hands-on math projects that work especially well this time of year. These projects are real, relevant, and rigorous—and teachers say they help learning stick.

✨ Why hands-on learning works so well during spring
✨ How to use math projects for spiral review or content mastery
✨ Teacher-tested projects your students will actually enjoy:

Stained Glass Project (Linear Equations)
Going Viral (Exponential Functions)
Probability Games & Projects

Whether you need a break from the routine or want to review before state testing, these projects bring the fun and the depth.

📎 Resources & Links Mentioned:

🎯 Try one this week and let me know how it goes—drop into our Facebook group The Modern Math Teachers Project and share your students’ creations!

Until next time,
Keep getting messy with math, keep the hands-on learning opportunities high, and as always… keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#94 Unlocking AI for Math Teachers: Easy Ways to Start Today

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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🎧 What if AI could save you hours of planning each week?
AI can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I’m sharing three easy, no-stress ways to start using AI in your math classroom right now.

We’ll explore how to:
✨ Use AI to simplify lesson planning and create scaffolded materials
✨ Boost student support and error analysis using Chat AI tools like Mathway
✨ Instantly generate real-world math problems based on your students’ names and interests
✨ Try a quick, AI-powered activity with a real-world dataset

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about AI in education and wondering how to actually use it as a math teacher, this episode is your beginner-friendly guide!

💻 Resources & Links Mentioned:

Free AI in Math Cheat Sheet – My 25 favorite AI tools + quick-start prompts
Snorkl – Formative feedback tool for students
Math Teachers Guide to AI

🎯 Your challenge this week: Try just ONE new AI tool from the cheat sheet and report back in our Facebook group—The Modern Math Teachers Project!

Until next time,
Keep experimenting with AI for you and your students, and as always… keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#93 Spring into Something New: Why Now is the Best Time to Try PBL

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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🎧 Have you ever thought about trying something new in your classroom but worried about the timing?
Spring might be your perfect opportunity to experiment with project-based learning (PBL)! In this episode, I’ll show you why the final stretch of the school year is actually the best time to dip your toes into PBL—and exactly how to do it without the overwhelm.

I’ll walk you through:
✨ Why spring is the sweet spot for trying PBL
✨ 3 low-risk, high-engagement ways to start today
✨ How to tweak one lesson this month into a mini project
✨ My favorite beginner-friendly projects: Stained Glass, Going Viral, and Rockets!

If you’ve ever wondered:
🔎 What is PBL?
🔎 What are some PBL ideas that actually work?
🔎 How can I start project based learning without overhauling everything?
This episode is for YOU.

🛠 Resources & Links Mentioned:

📢 Want to share your project? Post it in our Facebook Group: The Modern Math Teachers Project, or text me directly—let’s celebrate your wins!

Until next time,
Keep engaging those students, keep trying new things, and as always… keep it real.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#92: 3 Ways AI Can Help with Lesson Planning and Differentiation

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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Wish you had more time to personalize lessons, create engaging activities, and support all learners—without adding hours to your prep? AI might just be the tool you need.

In this episode, we’re breaking down three powerful ways AI can help with lesson planning and differentiation. Whether you're brand new to AI or already testing it in your classroom, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to save time, enhance instruction, and better support students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why AI is a time-saving tool (not a shortcut!) for teachers.
✔️ Three simple ways to use AI for lesson planning and differentiation.
✔️ How the CRAFT Prompting Framework helps you get better AI-generated content.

💡 Key Takeaway: AI won’t replace teachers, but teachers who use AI effectively can streamline lesson planning, personalize instruction, and free up time to focus on student learning.

Resources Mentioned:

📄 AI Tools for Math Teachers Ultimate Cheat Sheet & Guide – Get my CRAFT framework and best AI prompts for math instruction.
🎓 AI in Education Training for Math Teachers – Learn how to use AI to save time and improve instruction.

✨ If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow teacher who wants to simplify their lesson planning!

🎧 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Share it with a fellow teacher who’s curious (or skeptical!) about AI.
✅ Leave a review—it helps more math educators find the podcast!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#91 Spring Reset: Simple Teaching Strategies to Re-Energize Your Classroom

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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Feeling the mid-semester slump? You’re not alone! March is that tricky time of year when energy dips, students get distracted, and classroom routines start slipping. But the good news? A simple spring reset can help bring back structure, engagement, and momentum for the rest of the school year. 🌱

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why spring fatigue is real and how to shake it off-- like Taylor.
✔️ Simple strategies to refresh your classroom without adding stress.
✔️ Small shifts that can boost engagement and make teaching feel easier.

💡 Key Takeaway: A small reset now can help make the last few months of school way more manageable—it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, just intentional.

Resources Mentioned:

📚Moore than Just X TpT Store – Find ready-to-go activities and projects to keep your classroom fresh and engaging
📝 Classroom Management Resources – Tools to help you reset routines and re-energize your students

✨ If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow teacher who needs a classroom refresh!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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#90 AI in Math Education: What’s Hype vs. What Actually Helps?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400

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AI is everywhere—but is it actually useful in math class, or just another tech buzzword? 🤔

When ChatGPT first hit the scene, I dismissed it. I thought, "This is just Mathway for English teachers." But after hearing how my colleagues were using AI in creative and time-saving ways, I decided to give it a shot—and I was blown away.

So today, we’re cutting through the noise to talk about what’s hype vs. what actually helps when it comes to AI in math education. 🚀

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why AI is already changing math education—whether we’re ready or not.
✔️ What AI can’t do (spoiler: It won’t replace teachers!).
✔️ Practical ways to use AI for lesson planning, differentiation, and real-time lesson tweaks.

💡 Key Takeaway: AI isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for real teaching, but it can help lighten the load, support differentiation, and make planning more efficient—if you know how to use it.

Resources Mentioned:

➡️ AI Tools for Math Teachers Ultimate Cheat Sheet & Guide (Includes the CRAFT framework for lesson design!)
➡️ Stay tuned for my upcoming AI training for math teachers—details coming soon!

✨ Let’s make AI work for us—not against us.

🎧 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Share it with a fellow teacher who’s curious (or skeptical!) about AI.
✅ Leave a review—it helps more math educators find the podcast!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#89: March Math Madness in the Classroom🏀

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0500

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🏀What if your students were as engaged in math as they are in filling out their March College Basketball Madness brackets?

March is one of the best times of the year to bring real-world connections into your math classroom. From buzzer-beaters to bracket predictions, major sporting events like the college basketball tournament in March to provide the perfect opportunity to hook students, spark curiosity, and make learning more relevant.

In this episode, we’re diving into how to capitalize on current events like March Madness ™ to create engaging, hands-on math experiences. Plus, I’ll introduce my brand-new March Basketball Madness project, where Geometry and Algebra 2 students apply right triangle trig skills to analyze basketball shot angles and court layouts!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why leveraging current events can make math more engaging and meaningful.
✔️ Different ways to bring College Basketball into your classroom—from data talks to hands-on activities.
✔️ How my March Basketball Madness project helps students apply trigonometry in a real-world setting.

💡 Key Takeaway: Tying math to what’s happening in the world—whether sports, awards season, or trending topics—keeps students engaged and makes concepts more accessible and exciting!

Resources Mentioned:

🏀 March Basketball Madness Project – A hands-on way for Geometry & Algebra 2 students to apply right triangle trig to real-world basketball shots.
📊 Basketball-Themed Warm-Ups – Daily warm-ups focusing on probability & statistics in basketball.

Get them both at my TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/moore-than-just-x

✨ Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow teacher who wants to bring real-world math into their classroom!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#88: Rigor + Relationships = Student Engagement

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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February is the month of love, and we’re asking: Can you set high expectations and still be the teacher your students love and trust? Spoiler alert: You absolutely can! In this episode, we’re diving into how balancing meaningful relationships with rigorous instruction leads to student engagement and success in the math classroom.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ Why relationships are the foundation of a thriving classroom culture.
✔️ How to pair rigor with care to boost engagement and help students succeed.
✔️ Practical strategies to build relationships and implement meaningful, challenging tasks.

💡 Key Takeaway: It’s not either-or! Relationships and rigor go hand in hand to create a classroom culture where students feel supported, challenged, and ready to grow.

Resources Mentioned:
➡️ Quick Interest Survey for Building Relationships
➡️ Membership Resources for Simplified Lesson Planning

✨ Let’s create a classroom culture that thrives—together!

🎧 Enjoyed the episode?

Share it with a fellow teacher who loves actionable ideas.
Leave a review—it helps more educators find the podcast!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#87: Winning Warm-Ups: Easy Bell Ringers to Energize Your Math Class

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Do you know the secret to starting your math class on the right foot? It’s all in the warm-up! A great bell ringer not only sets the tone for the day but also engages your students and gets them thinking critically right from the start.

In this episode, we’ll explore:
✔️ Why warm-ups are essential for focus and engagement.
✔️ Five practical bell ringer ideas to energize your math class.
✔️ A simple, bonus warm-up strategy you can implement tomorrow—even if you’re short on prep time!

💡 Key Takeaway: Warm-ups aren’t just time fillers—they’re powerful tools that build routine, reinforce skills, and spark curiosity.

Resources Mentioned:
➡️ Word Problem of the Day Warm-Ups on TpT

✨ Ready-to-go warm-up resources are available now to simplify your planning and engage your students!

🎧 Enjoy the episode?

Share it with a fellow teacher who loves fresh, actionable ideas for the classroom.
Leave a review—it helps more educators find the podcast!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#86: Presidents Day Projects: Connecting Math to History 🇺🇸📊

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Presidents’ Day isn’t just a time to reflect on leadership—it’s a perfect opportunity to connect math to history and civic engagement! In this episode, we’re diving into cross-curricular connections that bring real-world math into your classroom.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ Why integrating math with history deepens student understanding.
✔️ How my Election Project engages students with data analysis, probability, and civic themes.
✔️ Simple Presidents’ Day activities that tie math to real-world events—even if you don’t grab the full project!

💡 Key Takeaway: Cross-curricular lessons, like those tied to elections and Presidents’ Day, engage students by showing them how math connects to the real world.

Resources Mentioned:
➡️ Election Project on TpT

✨ Don’t miss your chance to bring Presidents’ Day to life in your math classroom!

🎧 Love the episode?

Share it with a colleague who loves innovative teaching ideas.
Leave a review—it helps more educators find the podcast!

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#85: Real-World Math at the Big Game: The Football Championship Project 🏈📊

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Are you ready to turn the NFL Championship Big Game into a math teacher’s dream lesson? This episode is all about making math real, relevant, and engaging by connecting it to one of the biggest cultural events of the year! 🙌

In this episode, we’ll cover:
✔️ Why real-world math matters and how it transforms engagement in your classroom.
✔️ How sports-themed lessons (like the Super Bowl Project) tie into math concepts like probability, stats, and graphing.
✔️ Actionable ideas you can use tomorrow to connect math to sports—even if you don’t grab the resource!

💡 Key Takeaway: Lean into current events and trending topics to help students find the relevance of math in their lives. Whether it’s a full project, warm-up routine, or student-driven data collection, the goal is to show your students that math is everywhere!

Resources Mentioned:
➡️ Football Project on TpT
➡️ Football-Themed Warm-Ups on TpT

✨ Don’t miss your chance to grab these resources on sale this week only!

🎧 Love the episode?

Share it with a fellow teacher who loves real-world math ideas.
Leave a quick review—it helps more educators find the podcast!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#84 Transforming Classrooms to Meet Every Learner’s Needs with Rob Barnett

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with Rob Barnett, a former teacher, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP), and author of the brand-new book Meet Every Learner’s Needs. Rob has dedicated his career to empowering educators with practical strategies to unlock the full potential of every student.

In this episode, we dive into:
✨ Rob’s journey into teaching and the challenges that shaped his approach.
✨ The inspiring story behind the Modern Classrooms Project and its revolutionary model.
✨ Key strategies from Meet Every Learner’s Needs, including how to redesign lessons, courses, and instruction to engage every student.
✨ How teachers can balance supporting struggling learners and challenging advanced students.
✨ Practical steps for implementing the Modern Classroom model in your classroom right away.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a school leader, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you transform your teaching practice and meet the needs of all learners.

Resources Mentioned:
📘 Grab Rob’s book, Meet Every Learner’s Needs: Pre-Order Now
🌐 Learn more about the Modern Classrooms Project
📧 Join the Substack and stay up to date on all things Meet Every Learner’s Needs

Meet Every Learner's Needs (preorder link)
https://www.meeteverylearnersneeds.org/ (book website)
https://meeteverylearnersneeds.substack.com/ (newsletter)

Let’s Connect:
💌 Share your thoughts on this episode in the Facebook group!
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if you loved this episode!

As always, keep it real. 💪

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#83 Using AI to Engage Students Beyond the Classroom

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Want to make math feel relevant? In this episode, Kristen shares tips for connecting math lessons to students’ lives and interests. Plus, learn how to use AI tools to find real-world examples and data to bring into your classroom!

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Why real-world connections boost student engagement
How to use AI to create relevant lessons
Examples of real-world math projects

🔗 Links:
Super Bowl Math Activity

🤓Read More with this week's Blog Post:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#82 Classroom Management Strategy Reset for Second Semester

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Is your classroom ready for the second semester? This episode dives into CHAMPS strategies to help you reset routines, reestablish expectations, and create a positive learning environment. Plus, discover how AI tools can make classroom management easier than ever!

💡 What You’ll Learn:

How to reset your classroom routines after winter break
A step-by-step guide to using CHAMPS strategies
AI tools to track and improve classroom behavior
Engaging ways to involve students in creating a Social Contract

🔗 Links:
CHAMPS Posters
Social Contract Lesson Plan

🤓Read More with this week's Blog Post: Classroom Management Strategies that Work

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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#81 New Year, New Goals: Simple Goal Setting Classroom Activities

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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Start the new year with intentionality! In this episode, Kristen shares strategies to help teachers and students set meaningful goals for 2025. From reflecting on last semester to using AI tools for organization, this episode is packed with actionable tips.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

How to reflect on last semester to guide your goal-setting
Teacher-friendly goal-setting strategies (with AI support!)
Engaging activities to help students create and track their own goals\

🤿Dive Deeper by Reading this Episode's Blog Post:
Student Goal Setting for 2025

🔗 Resource Links: Goal Setting Freebie Download

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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🏆BEST OF 2024: (Re)Building Thinking Classrooms: Consolidating + Note-Taking

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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🎉 Most Listened to in 2024! Replay of Ep 51: (Re)Building Thinking Classrooms: Consolidating + Note-Taking 🎉

Back by popular demand, this episode blew up in 2024, and we’re bringing it back to give you all the tools to level up your Thinking Classroom! Whether you’re diving into Building Thinking Classrooms for the first time or refining your strategies, this episode is a must-listen.

🌟 What Makes This Episode a Fan Favorite:

Master the art of consolidation: Learn how to anchor learning through student discussions, starting from the bottom up.
Notes that matter: Discover a simple, student-centered 6-step approach to note-taking that sticks.
Pro tips for BTC success: Walk away with actionable strategies to make consolidating and note-taking a breeze.

💡 Why You’ll Love It:

Practical examples to make student-led consolidation work in your classroom.
Tips to transform messy notes into meaningful learning artifacts.
A breakdown of the 6-step note-taking plan that works for any math topic.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl
5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions by Margaret Smith and Mary Kay Stein

This Poolside PD gem is packed with ideas to take your Thinking Classroom to the next level. 🌊 Whether it’s your first listen or your fiftieth, get ready to transform your teaching game! 🚀

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🏆BEST OF 2024: Unlock Classroom Routine: Essential Math Class Structure Tips

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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🎉 Most Listened to in 2024! Replay of Ep 58: Unlock Classroom Routine: Essential Math Class Structure Tips 🎉

We’re bringing back one of your absolute favorites from 2024! This episode topped the charts because you loved the actionable strategies and clear structure ideas to make your math classroom run like a dream. 🚀

👩‍🏫 What to Listen For:

Why routines matter: Find out how consistency reduces student anxiety and sets the tone for a calm, productive classroom.
The magic of predictability: Learn how a structured cadence can create a safe learning environment where students thrive.
Step-by-step examples: Whether you have a 50-minute or 80-minute period, you’ll get sample cadences you can implement tomorrow. 🎯

💡 Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss:

Entry routines that start the day right 🏁
Engaging problem-solving tasks to fire up student thinking 🔥
Mini-lessons that deliver big results in a small time frame ✍️
Efficient in-class practice and purposeful exit tickets 📝

Sample Cadences for Success:

50-Minute Periods: From warm-ups to practice, every minute is maximized.
80-Minute Periods: A deeper dive for block schedules.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

EdTomorrow’s First Five resource: A perfect complement to your routine-building toolkit.

If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to jump in—and if you loved it before, listen again to solidify these essential tips! 💪

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 78: Reflect and Reset: Preparing for a Fresh Start in January

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ Reflect and Reset: Preparing for a Fresh Start in January
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the semester and prepare for a fresh start in January. ✨ In this episode, Kristen shares strategies to help you and your students reflect on progress, reset your classroom for the new year, and recharge over winter break.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Reflection activities to help students analyze their growth and set goals
Tips for resetting your classroom routines and environment
Ideas for recharging yourself during the break

🎯Reflecting on the semester, preparing for a new year in the classroom, resetting classroom routines, teacher self-care tips, student goal setting activities, new year classroom prep

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 77: Preparing for Semester Exams: Tips for Teachers and Students

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ Preparing for Semester Exams: Tips for Teachers and Students
Feeling the pressure of semester exams? 📝 In this episode, Kristen shares her favorite tips to help teachers and students prepare for exams with confidence and less stress. Learn how to run effective review sessions, support students with test anxiety, and streamline your grading process so you can head into winter break feeling accomplished! 🎄

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Effective strategies for running engaging, targeted review sessions
Tips for helping students manage test anxiety and build confidence
Time-saving techniques for teachers, from grading rubrics to group feedback

🎯Preparing for semester exams, test prep strategies for teachers, managing test anxiety, classroom review games, semester exam tips for students and teachers, time-saving grading tips

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 76: The Gift Wrap Challenge: A Hands on Math Activity

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ The Gift Wrap Challenge: A Hands-On Math Activity
Bring holiday cheer into your math classroom with the Gift Wrap Challenge! 🎁 In this episode, Kristen shares how this hands-on activity engages students with real-world math during the holiday season. Learn how to use this fun challenge to teach geometry, algebra, and problem-solving—all while keeping students excited about math!

💡 What You’ll Learn:

What the Gift Wrap Challenge is and how it works.
Why students love this hands-on, real-world math activity.
Tips for successfully implementing it in your classroom.

🔗 Links:

🎁Gift Wrap Challenge

Gift Wrap Challenge, holiday math activities, real-world math problems, hands-on geometry lessons, festive classroom activities, math challenges for December

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Ep 75: Managing Classroom Energy and Behavior During the Holiday Season

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ Inside the Episode:
With the holidays right around the corner, keeping classroom behavior on track can feel like a challenge! 🎄 In this episode, Kristen shares practical strategies to manage classroom energy and maintain a positive learning environment during the busiest time of the year. From brain breaks to flexible seating, you’ll learn how to channel holiday excitement into productive learning. Plus, discover how her CHAMPS posters and Social Contract can help you set clear expectations and build a classroom community that thrives—even during the holidays! 🙌

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Strategies for Managing Classroom Energy: Learn how to use brain breaks, flexible seating, and holiday-themed lessons to keep students engaged and on task.
🎁 CHAMPS System + Posters: A classroom management tool that sets clear expectations for student behavior during different activities.
🤝 Social Contract: A collaborative approach to behavior management that fosters accountability and community.
Keep Your Classroom Positive: Tips for maintaining a structured, fun, and respectful classroom during the holiday season.

🔗 Links:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 74: Inclusively Celebrating Winter Holidays in Your Math Classroom

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ Inside the Episode
The winter holidays are here, and it’s time to celebrate! 🎄 But how can we bring the holiday spirit into our math classrooms in a way that’s inclusive and respectful of all students? In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, Kristen shares practical strategies for celebrating the holidays inclusively and engagingly in your classroom. Plus, discover two amazing resources—the Gift Wrap Challenge 🎁 and Holidays Around the World 🌍—to help you create a magical, math-filled holiday season.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

Strategies for Inclusive Celebrations: From cultural math projects to custom holiday playlists, discover five ways to celebrate the holidays inclusively in your classroom.
🎁 Gift Wrap Challenge: A fun geometry-based activity that brings holiday cheer and math skills together!
🌍 Holidays Around the World: A cross-curricular project that blends math with global holiday traditions, perfect for engaging students in cultural learning.

🔗 Links:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 73: Easy Real-World Math Applications for the Busy Season

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨ Inside the Episode:
With the holiday season in full swing, it can be hard to keep students engaged and focused. 🎄 In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, Kristen shares easy real-world math applications that require minimal prep but keep students learning! From budgeting for Thanksgiving 🦃 to analyzing Black Friday sales 🛍️, these quick activities will connect math to your students' lives and help you lighten the load during this busy time.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

🦃 Thanksgiving Budgeting: Have students calculate the cost of a holiday meal to practice percentages and unit rates.
🛍️ Black Friday Sales Analysis: Teach money management skills with real-world discounts and taxes.
🚗 Holiday Travel Math: Engage students by calculating travel times, distances, and costs using unit rates.
💻 Keep It Simple: Tips for using digital tools and class discussions to keep these tasks manageable.

🔗 Links:

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Ep 72: Surviving the Holiday Season in the Classroom: Simple Strategies for Success

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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✨The holiday season is here, and we know how hectic it can get in the classroom! In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I’m sharing simple classroom strategies that will help you stay on top of things and enjoy the season. From managing classroom energy to adding festive fun, these tips will keep you organized and stress-free! 🎄✏️

💡 What You’ll Learn:

📋 Streamline Grading & Planning: Tips to make your grading and planning more manageable during the busy holiday season.
⚡ Manage Classroom Energy: Use brain breaks, flexible seating, and holiday-themed activities to keep your students engaged.
🎄 Fun Classroom Activities: Learn how to bring in holiday fun without losing focus! Check out my Gift Wrap Challenge 🎁 and Winter Holidays Around the World Project 🌍 for hands-on, holiday-themed math projects.

🔗 Links:

🎁Gift Wrap Challenge
🌍Winter Holidays Around the World Project
Join the Project-Based Algebra Teachers Membership for more easy-to-use resources! Sign Up

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 71: The Power of Reflection: How to Use Exit Tickets Effectively

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re diving deep into one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for any math teacher: exit tickets. If you’re looking for a quick, effective way to check for understanding and gather valuable insights about your students, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through why exit tickets matter, practical ways to use them, and how to leverage the data to adjust your teaching for maximum impact. Plus, I’ll share how I personally combine exit tickets with self-assessment to streamline my planning and focus on the students who need extra support.

What's inside:

📊 Why exit tickets are so effective for student reflection and teacher insight.
✏️ Practical types of exit tickets you can start using tomorrow—from sample problems to “rate your understanding.”
💡 How to use the data from exit tickets to shape your next lesson, small group, or warm-up.
💻 My favorite tech tools for making exit tickets more efficient and organized.

Want more? Check out the Project-Based Algebra Teachers Membership for real-world activities, engagement strategies, and a community of educators ready to share ideas!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 70: Using the Election in Math Class: Engage Students with Real-World Data

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about how you can make math relevant and exciting by integrating election data into your algebra lessons. With the upcoming 2024 election, there’s no better time to show students how mathematical concepts can be used to analyze voter turnout trends and make predictions. I’ll walk you through the Election 2024 Math Project—a project-based learning experience that gets students working with real data, calculating statistics, and modeling outcomes. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools and strategies to engage your students in critical thinking about the math behind elections, all while hitting key Common Core standards.

Key Takeaways:

Why Election Data Matters in Math Class: Learn how incorporating election data into your lessons makes math relevant and cross-curricular.
Using Statistics to Explore Voter Turnout: Explore how students can calculate voter turnout trends by age group and other demographics, using mean, median, standard deviation, and more.
Modeling Data for Future Predictions: Discover how students can use real data to predict future election outcomes using normal distribution and other algebraic concepts.
Ready-to-Use Resources: Learn about the student handouts, step-by-step instructions, and data analysis tools included in the Election 2024 Math Project.
Tech Tools to Support the Project: Tips on using Google Sheets, Desmos, and other tools to help students model and visualize their data.

Resources Mentioned:

🇺🇸Election 2024 Math Project (available two ways!)
- Inside the Membership: projectbasedmathclass.com or
- At TpT Election 2024 Project
Google Sheets
Desmos

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Episode #69: Controversial Conversations with Julianna Tapper

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this exciting episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we dive into some of the most debated topics in math education with Juliana Tapper, author of the upcoming book Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention. Juliana shares her insights on when direct instruction is not just effective—but essential--yup you heard that right!—for struggling students. We also tackle the controversial practice of cold calling, how it can actually boost engagement, and why it’s misunderstood in today’s classrooms.

🔑Key Topics Covered:

When Direct Instruction Works Best: Find out why it’s sometimes the most effective strategy, especially in intervention settings.
Cold Calling: Breaking the stigma and discussing how this strategy can empower students rather than scare them.
Engaging Struggling Students: Proven strategies from Julianna’s and my experiences that bring disengaged learners back into the fold.
Juliana’s New Book 📕: A sneak peek into Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students who Struggle and what educators can expect.

⭐️Top Take Aways:

Discover actionable tips on balancing direct instruction with more open-ended approaches.
Learn how to effectively use cold calling in a supportive and engaging way.
Strategies for helping students who feel “left behind” regain confidence in math.

Resources Mentioned:

📕Juliana's New book: Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention (Available for pre-order now!)
Math Wars – A gamified approach to direct instruction by Julianna Tapper

Connect with Julianna:

Website:CollaboratED Consulting
Instagram: @collaborated.with.juliana
Book Preorder: www.gatebreakerbook.com

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 68: Rock your Parent Teacher Conferences + Open House

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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Are you ready to make the most of parent-teacher conferences and open house this fall? 🍁 In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I’m sharing my top tips to help you feel prepared and confident!

🔑 Learn how to use a pre-conference reflection form to keep conferences focused and meaningful (you can grab it for free in this week’s email!). I’ll also share strategies for explaining the value of project-based learning and real-world math to parents, so they understand how your teaching methods help their child build essential life skills. Plus, we’ll talk about how to make your open house a success with project showcases, visuals, and helpful takeaways for parents. 🎒

👉 Subscribe to the weekly email for the free pre-conference check-in form: MooreThanJustX.com/subscribe

🎧 Tune in to learn:

How to streamline conferences with a pre-conference reflection form
Ways to communicate the value of PBL and real-world math to parents
Tips for presenting your best at open house, from student work displays to parent handouts

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 67: Cultivating a Growth Mindset

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Are you ready to foster a growth mindset in your math classroom? 🎯 In this episode, we break down Jo Boaler’s top strategies for encouraging students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and develop effective problem-solving skills. 🧠✨

What you'll learn:

The true meaning of a growth mindset (and common misconceptions)
How to normalize mistakes and make challenges exciting
Practical classroom strategies like "low floor, high ceiling" tasks and process-focused praise
Tips for promoting mathematical discussions and deeper thinking 💬💡

Don’t miss out on these game-changing strategies that can transform your math instruction! 🙌 Plus, get access to free resources and tasks that will help you start today. 📝

Resources Mentioned:

Jo Boaler’s book Mathematical Mindsets
Free classroom tasks from Jo Boaler’s website: Youcubed.org

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 66: Integrating the 8 Math Practices

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to The Modern Math Teacher! In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to bring the 8 Mathematical Practices into your everyday math lessons. These practices are the key to helping students think like mathematicians, and we’ve got practical tips to make them a seamless part of your instruction.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

A quick review of all 8 Mathematical Practices and their purpose.
How to integrate these practices with simple, everyday strategies like open-ended problems and real-world modeling.
Ways to encourage precision, strategic tool use, and mathematical discourse in your classroom.

Resources Mentioned:

8 Math Practices Posters Resource: Download this printable to display in your classroom and help students engage with these key practices!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 65: Get them Talking! Boosting Student Engagement with Discourse

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In today’s episode, we’re diving into a powerful strategy for increasing student engagement: mathematical discourse. If you’ve ever struggled to get your students talking about math, this episode is for you! I’ll be sharing practical tips on how to use the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions to encourage deeper understanding and active participation in your classroom.

💡In This Episode, We’ll Cover:

The Power of Math Discourse: Why fostering student conversations about math is essential for their learning and engagement.
The 5 Practices:
- Anticipating: How to predict student responses before the lesson begins to guide your planning.
- Monitoring: Techniques for observing and supporting student thinking during the lesson.
- Selecting: Strategies for choosing which student responses to highlight to enrich the class discussion.
- Sequencing: How to order student work presentations to maximize learning.
- Connecting: Methods for tying together different student strategies to emphasize key concepts.
Implementing the Practices: Step-by-step advice on how to start small with these practices and gradually build them into your teaching routine.
Overcoming Challenges: Solutions for common obstacles, like reluctant participation and managing time effectively during discussions.

Why Math Discourse Matters:

How structured discussions can boost critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration among your students.
Tips for creating a classroom environment where every student feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.

📙Resources Mentioned:

5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions by Margaret Smith and Mary Kay Stein

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 64: Project Based Learning without the Overwhelm

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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Today, we’re tackling a topic that can truly transform your classroom—Project-Based Learning (PBL). If the idea of PBL feels daunting, don’t worry! In this episode, I’m breaking it down into simple, manageable steps so you can start incorporating PBL into your lessons without feeling overwhelmed.

💡In This Episode, We’ll Cover:

What PBL Really Is: A straightforward introduction to Project-Based Learning and why it’s more than just another teaching trend.
Getting Started with PBL:
- Begin with a Mini-Project: How to introduce PBL with a small, manageable project, like using linear models to track growth or speed.
- Integrate PBL Elements: Tips on adding a PBL twist to your existing lessons without reinventing the wheel, like turning a lesson on systems of equations into a business planning project.
- Use Ready-Made Resources: How the Project Based Algebra Teachers membership can save you time with ready-to-go projects like “Save for Success,” where students plan their future careers.

Why PBL Is Worth It:

The benefits of PBL for both students and teachers, from boosting student engagement to making classroom management easier.
How PBL encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, all while lightening your planning load in the long run.

Practical Tips for PBL Success:

Aligning projects with your curriculum standards so PBL fits naturally into your teaching.
Breaking down projects into manageable milestones with clear timelines to keep students on track.

💻Resources Mentioned:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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Ep 63: Engaging Students with Real World Math Applications

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Today we’re diving into a topic that’s near and dear to every math teacher’s heart—engaging students with real-world math applications. We’ve all heard the classic, “When am I ever going to need this?” question, and today, I’m here to give you the tools to answer that in a way that not only satisfies your students but also sparks their interest in math.

In This Episode, We’ll Cover:

Why Connecting Math to the Real World Matters: How real-world applications can transform even the most disengaged students into active learners.
Resources to Support You: From free problem-solving tasks by Math Medic to AI tools like ChatGPT and Khanmigo, we’ll explore ways to quickly integrate real-world math into your lessons.
Practical Examples: Easy-to-implement activities like “Budgeting for a Trip” and sports statistics analysis that bring math to life.
Tips to Get Started: How to start small, connect to current events, and involve your students in the learning process.

Resources Mentioned:

🎉 Special Offer: Founders pricing for the Project Based Algebra Teachers membership ends this Friday! Don’t miss out on locking in your access to a treasure trove of real-world math projects and activities.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 62: Build Positive Classroom Culture with a Social Contract

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In today’s episode, Kristen Moore breaks down the essentials of creating a positive classroom culture. From setting clear expectations to co-creating norms and establishing a social contract, this episode is packed with tips to help you foster a supportive, respectful, and collaborative environment in your classroom.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

Setting and sharing your classroom non-negotiables.
Co-creating class norms for increased student ownership.
The power of a social contract in building a strong classroom community.
Practical strategies for keeping norms alive all year.
Resources to help you implement these ideas in your classroom.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

💬 Join the Conversation: What are your go-to strategies for building a positive classroom culture? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join our Facebook group, The Modern Math Teachers.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 61: Classroom Management Strategies for a Successful School Year

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we continue our back-to-school series with a focus on effective classroom management strategies. We’ll explore how to set up clear classroom rules, routines, and procedures to ensure a productive and positive learning environment. Drawing insights from renowned educators Harry Wong and Angela Watson, we delve into must-have routines that will help you start your school year on the right foot.

Today's Topics:

Classroom Management Overview:
- Importance of clear classroom rules, routines, and procedures
- Insights from Harry Wong and Angela Watson
Must-Have Routines:
- Beginning + Ending Class Routines:
  - Greeting students and entry routine
  - Visual flow and daily agenda
  - Exit routines
  - Middle of Class Routines: Routines for Group Work and a Thinking Classroom:
    - Group work expectations
    - Problem-solving routines
    - VNPS routines
- Handling Technology Responsibly:
  - Phone pockets vs. out-of-sight approach
  - Technology trades and phone charging bank

Related Resources:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 60: Start with Success: Planning for the First Week of School

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the essential strategies you need to set your students up for success during the first week of school. From setting clear expectations and practicing routines to easing into math content with low-floor tasks, we’ve got you covered.

I’ll share actionable tips for how to make the most of those crucial first days, including what I’m doing in my classroom to build a positive, math-focused environment. Whether you’re looking for new ideas or just want to refine your approach, this episode is packed with insights to help you start the school year strong.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

How to set clear expectations without overwhelming your students.
Engaging ways to practice classroom routines while building connections.
The importance of starting math content with low-floor tasks that set a positive tone.
A peek into my own first-week plans to inspire your classroom strategy.

Resources:

Ostrich Llama Problem

👉 Join the Conversation: Share your favorite first-week activities and ideas in the comments, or connect with us in The Modern Math Teachers Facebook group!

🎧 Listen to more episodes: Stay tuned for more back-to-school tips and strategies all throughout August!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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Ep 59: Classroom Decor + Design for a Productive Math Classroom

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this week's episode, we kick off our back-to-school series by focusing on setting up your classroom for success. Join Kristen Moore as she shares essential tips on organizing your teacher workspace, arranging student desks, and creating an engaging overall classroom feel. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a new teacher, these practical tips will help you create a productive and welcoming math classroom.

Today’s Topics:

Teacher Workspace: Discover how to keep your desk organized and clutter-free using practical storage solutions and digital tools. Learn about the Teacher Friday Workbox from Organize 365 and its benefits.
Student Workspace: Explore different desk arrangements to enhance student interaction and learning. Tips on organizing student supplies and creating designated turn-in areas.
Overall Classroom Feel: Learn how to create a calm and focused classroom environment using a cohesive color scheme, flexible furniture arrangements, and effective lighting and music. Get inspired with our classroom decor bundles available on TpT.

Links Mentioned:

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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Ep 58: Unlock Classroom Routine: Essential Math Class Structure Tips

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Discover how a consistent class structure can transform your teaching and reduce student anxiety.

Welcome to another episode of The Modern Math Teacher podcast! In today's episode, Kristen Moore dives into the importance of consistency in classroom cadence and how it can transform your teaching and benefit your students.

Today's Topics:

Why establishing a routine is crucial for maintaining expectations and reducing student anxiety.
How a predictable classroom structure can create a safe and secure learning environment.
Sample cadences for both 50-minute and 80-minute class periods, including entry routines, active problem-solving tasks, mini-lessons, in-class practice opportunities, and exit tickets.

Sample Classroom Cadences Covered:

50-Minute Class Period:
- Entry Routine/Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Active Problem Solving or Thinking Task (15 minutes)
- Mini Lesson/Consolidation/Notes (10 minutes)
- In-Class Practice Opportunities (15 minutes)
- Exit Ticket/End of Class Routine (5 minutes)
80-Minute Class Period:
- Entry Routine/Warm-Up (10 minutes)
- Active Problem Solving or Thinking Task (20 minutes)
- Mini Lesson/Consolidation/Notes (15 minutes)
- In-Class Practice Opportunities (25 minutes)
- Exit Ticket/End of Class Routine (10 minutes)

Resources Mentioned:

EdTomorrow’s First Five

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Ep 57: Fitting It All In: Balancing Effective Teaching Practices

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Don’t let overwhelm stop you from integrating new innovative and effective teaching practices in your math classroom.

In this episode, we're tackling the challenge of "fitting it all in" when it comes to integrating various effective teaching practices in your classroom. We understand that it can be overwhelming to incorporate new methods, but we're here to help you find balance without overloading yourself or your students.

Today’s Topics:

Blended Instruction and Mastery-Based Assessment:
- Integrating these approaches with other instructional methods for personalized, flexible learning.
Thinking Classroom Tasks and Project-Based Learning:
- How thinking classroom tasks foster critical thinking and inquiry.
- The comprehensive nature of project-based learning units and their embedded inquiry opportunities.
Combining Methods:
- Using blended instruction and mastery-based assessment with thinking classroom tasks.
- Enhancing project-based learning with digital tools and mastery assessment.
Balancing Act:
- Tips for integrating these effective practices gradually.
- Ensuring your lessons remain dynamic and engaging.

🎧 Related Episodes:

Episode 41: The Best of Both Worlds- Modern Thinking Classrooms
Episode 42: The Best of Both Worlds- Modern Project-Based Classrooms

Remember, it's all about finding the right balance and pacing yourself. Gradually integrate these practices, and watch your classroom transform into a vibrant, engaging learning environment.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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EP 56: Get Real With PBL In Math Class

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Welcome back to Poolside PD! Today, we’re diving into Project-Based Learning (PBL) in middle and high school math classes, discussing key elements, challenges, and practical tips. PBL can make math engaging and meaningful by connecting it to real-world problems. Grab your favorite summer drink, sit back, and let's get started!

Today's Topics

Overview of Project-Based Learning:
- Definition and importance of PBL.
- Making math concepts tangible and relevant through real-world problems.
Key Elements of Effective PBL:
- Authentic Problems: Connect to real-world issues.
- Student Voice and Choice: Foster ownership and motivation.
- In-depth Inquiry: Encourage research and application.
- Sustained Inquiry: Allow for deep exploration and revisions.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Time Management: Start with small-scale projects.
- Assessment: Use rubrics focusing on process and product.
- Balancing Standards and Creativity: Align projects with curriculum standards.
Practical Tips and Strategies:
- Start Small
- Collaborate with Colleagues:

Resources and Related Materials

📚Books:
- Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning
- Project Based Teaching How to Create rigorous and engaging learning experiences
👩🏻‍💻Websites and Online Communities:
- Projectbasedmathclass.com -- access to all my PBL Trainings
🎧Related Episodes
- PBL Podcast Playlist

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 55: The Power of Problem Solving

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Join us this week as we dive in to the history and power of Problem Solving. Look before the Building Thinking Classrooms book took the math world by storm, other educational experts were leading the way with problem solving and the power of teaching through problems. It's time to uncover the history and power of problem solving in math education

Today's Topics

Problem Solving and Problem Based Learning Defined
Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching
Powerful Problem Solving Activities
Benefits of Problem Solving

Related Resources on Amazon*

Max Ray’s Powerful Problem Solving
Magdalene Lampert: Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching
Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 54: More than Just Math! Integrating STEAM into Math Class

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0400

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Welcome back to another STEAMY episode of "Poolside PD"! Today, we're diving into integrating mastery-based practices into a STEAM-focused classroom. Grab your favorite summer drink, sit back, and let's get started!

Today's Topics:

Overview of Mastery-Based Practices in STEAM and cross-curricular Classrooms
Navigating Cross curricular content in math classrooms
Utilizing Technology to enhance the integrated experience
Practical Tips + Best Practices
- Assess students based on your strengths.
- Leverage technology like AI tools and virtual field trips
- Bring in community experts.
- Develop and communicate clear standards and rubrics.

Related Resources
📗 "STEAM Makers" by Jacie Maslyk.
👩🏻‍💻Edutopia's STEAM section for articles and resources.
🖥 ISTE website for technology integration ideas.
🌎Virtual field trip platforms like Google Expeditions or Discovery Education.

Note: Some links may be affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Earnings help keep this free podcast alive and strong Modern Math Teachers like you everywhere. 🌎

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 53: Switching to Standards Based Grading

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to another episode of Poolside PD! Today, we're diving into standards-based grading—what it is, common challenges, and practical strategies. If you want to suggest a topic, find me on socials @MoorethanJustX or leave your idea in the Modern Math Teachers Facebook group. 🌞📚

Today's Topics:

Overview of Standards-Based Grading (SBG)
Challenges + Solutions to Switching
- Converting to a Traditional Gradebook
- Overwhelming Number of Standards
- Supporting the Student Mindset Shift
Practical Strategies + Best Practices
- Dr. Marzano's Six Strategies for effective SBG implementation.
  - The 1-4 Scale: Simpler (2.0), Target (3.0), and Complex (4.0) learning goals.

Related Resources:
📕 "The New Art and Science of Teaching" by Robert Marzano.
🎧Episode 10: "Introducing Students to Mastery-Based Grading."
🖼Mastery Based Grading Posters to keep the transition visible and aligned with your classroom aesthetic.
💾5 Secrets to Mastering Mastery in the Math Class digital download
📝 Mastery Scales Checklist- Step by Step guide to write your own mastery scales

On a scale of 1-4, how well do you understand standards-based grading now? Let me know @moorethanjustx on socials or leave a rating/review!

Thanks for joining me! Enjoy your summer and keep it real. ☀️

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 52: Do your grading practices make the grade?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In today's Poolside PD, we talk taboo: grading practices as Kristen asks listeners "Do Your Grading Practices Make the Grade?". We skim the surface on equitable grading practices to ensure your grades truly reflect student knowledge and understanding. Drawing from Joe Feldman's Grading for Equity we explore how to make grading more accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational. Plus, we introduce the concept of ungrading—ditching traditional grades in favor of detailed feedback to promote deeper learning and a growth mindset. Whether you're refining your grading practices or considering a radical shift to ungrading, this episode has insights for every educator looking to enhance their grading methods. Don't miss it! 🌟

Today's Topics:

Equitable Grading Practices Overview
Accurate Grading Practices
Bias-Resistant Grading
Motivational Grading
Ungrading Practices

Resources Mentioned:
- Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman
- Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) edited by Susan D. Blum

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 51: (Re) Building Thinking Classrooms: Consolidating + Notes Taking

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this Poolside PD episode, we dive into enhancing our "Building Thinking Classrooms" by mastering two critical areas: consolidating from the bottom through student discussions and creating meaningful notes. Join Kristen as we explore a simple but effective way to support consolidation and a practical 6-step plan for student-centered note-taking that will transform your classroom. Whether you're looking to refine your consolidation techniques or improve your note-taking strategies, this episode is packed with tips to elevate your teaching game. Don't miss out on these essential strategies to build a more effective Thinking Classroom!

Today's Topics:

What's Working in our BTC Classrooms
Consolidating from the Bottom
Meaningful Notes
Proposed 6 step method for Consolidating/Note Taking

Resources Mentioned:

Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl
5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions by Margaret Smith and Mary Kay Stein

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 50: Modern Classrooms Project- is it right for you?

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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☀️Welcome to the first week of Poolside PD 2024! ☀️

This week we talk all about the Modern Classrooms Project-- what it is and if it is right for your classroom. 🧐

Kristen shares insight into how each of the components of a Modern Classroom work for her and some of her mentees.

Today's Topics Include:

Blended Learning- how tech plays a role in transitioning teachers out of a lecture based model
Self-Pacing- tools you can use to keep students progressing, even if not all at the same pace
Mastery Based Assessment- quick and effective methods for letting you and your students know they've mastered the skills of the lesson.

Learn more about Modern Classrooms Project: moderclassrooms.org

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Ep 49: 3 Questions for End of Year Reflections [REPLAY]

Tue, 28 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Reflection doesn't just happen at the New Year, it happens at the end of the school year too! Join in on the REPLAY from 2023 to revisit our favorite reflection questions to wrap up the year!

Today's Topics:

The importance of reflecting on your current experience
Reflecting on planning, teaching and classroom management
The importance of student feedback in the reflection process
How to make changes based on your reflections

Simple 3 Step Reflection Questions
1. What is One Thing That Went Well?
2. What is One Thing That Surprised Me?
3. What is One Thing That Flopped?

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Ep 48: Probability Project in Progress

Tue, 21 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Games are one of the best ways to teach your students about probability. And having a project where students create their own game and get to play them together? That's the ultimate! Whether you call it a probability fair, or a probability carnival, this project means highly engaged learning is happening.

Today's Topics:

How to launch the project
Ways to modify for low floor high ceiling probability
Wrapping up the project with a reflection and debrief

If you're listening in real time, I just put all the Probability products on sale for 20% off Tuesday-Friday! 🎉

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Moore-Than-Just-X

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Ep 47: Geometry Projects in Progress- Wasted Space

Tue, 14 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Looking to bring the real world to your geometry classroom? This is the PERFECT end of year geometry project!

With an emphasis on geometric modeling and formula usage, your students will engage in analyzing product packaging and redesign a better, more efficient and eco-friendly wrapping for their product!

This project is a student favorite because of the freedom they get to choose products that matter to them, the ability to reason and problem solve about an actual problem--the amount of waste consumers produce and the environmental impact it's having--and they get to create their own real world solution to share with the company

Today's Topics:

What is The Wasted Space/ Packaging Project?
Project Launch + Question Generation
How to use questions throughout the project
The phases of the project
Where my students are at, and where they are getting stuck

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Ep 46: Summer Countdown Survival Guide: Strategies for Motivating Math Students Till the Last Day

Tue, 07 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Shoutout to all you amazing listeners, I appreciate you! <3 If you want to share your appreciation make sure to leave a rating or review! I read and appreciate each and every one.

The pre-summer slump is in full swing this time of year! And we've got a quick and easy survival guide to navigate you through it-- with 3 ideas to motivate and engage, and 3 ideas to maintain the order.

Today's Topics

3 Strategies to Boot Motivation in your Math Students
3 Strategies for Classroom Management

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Ep 45: Engaging Math Activities for the End of the School Year

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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As we near the end of the school year, I can feel the excitement building, and I'm sure you can too. Today, we're diving into some fantastic math activities to keep your students engaged and enthusiastic as we countdown to summer break.

Today's Topics:

Hands-On and Outdoor Math Activities
- Exploring engaging math activities that go beyond the classroom walls.
- Incorporating hands-on experiments and real-world applications.
Activity Ideas for the Classroom and Beyond
- Spread of Disease glow powder activity
- Probability Fair project
- Full project-based learning unit on probability
Taking Learning Outdoors
- Exploring the benefits of outdoor math education.
- Engaging students with activities like flying kites and indirect measurement.

Resources Mentioned:

Thanks for joining me today! Let's dive into these exciting math activities together. 🚀

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Ep 44: Shake off Standardized Testing Blues with Creative Math Lessons

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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As we wrap up another round of standardized testing in my district, I can't help but reflect on the challenges of re-engaging students in math post-testing season. So, buckle up, because we're about to explore some strategies to reignite that math spark in our classrooms!

Today's Topics

Students after Testing: fatigue, relief, and a need for re-engagement.
Reigniting the Excitement: Incorporating creativity, innovation, and personalization into math instruction.
Addressing Burnout: Practical tips for managing stress and maintaining well-being during the final stretch of the school year.

The countdown to summer is on, let's make sure we shake off those testing blues and get back to business--in a fun and exciting way!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 43: 8 Assessment Strategies to Check for Understanding

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Let's dive into 8 strategies to check for understanding as we approach the end of the school year. With spring in full swing and time at a premium, I'm here to share assessment techniques that seamlessly integrate with project-based learning and problem-solving approaches.

Today's topics include:

Formative Assessment in Action:Explore five dynamic ways to formatively assess student learning, including exit tickets, think-pair-share, and quick writes.
Projects and Authentic Assessment:Learn how performance tasks, mathematical investigations, and presentations offer opportunities for authentic assessment and real-world application of math skills.
Balancing Assessments in a Busy Schedule: Discover time-saving tips and tools like Google Forms, Kahoot!, and GradeCam to streamline assessment processes without sacrificing effectiveness.

Let's maximize classroom impact while minimizing teacher workload!

#AssessmentStrategies #ProjectBasedLearning #FormativeAssessment #AuthenticAssessment #ModernMathTeacher

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Ep 42: The Best of Both Worlds: Modern Project Based Learning

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Today, we're continuing our "The Best of Both Worlds" mini-series. Today’s topic? Combining the Modern Classrooms Project with Project-Based Learning—a match made in educational heaven! These two powerhouses have powered my classroom for four years and I'm excited to share with you how they do that

Today's Topics:

Overview of Modern Classrooms Project
Introduction to Project-Based Learning and the phases of PBL
Synergizing and scaffolding for PBL success with the MCP model

Related Resources

🎙️ Ep 32: Project Based Learning in a Modern Classroom- discussion with Zach Diamond on MCP podcast
🎧PBL Playlist- top episodes for PBL in the math classroom
Enroll in my MCP University PBL course, then book an Expert Call to connect with me!

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Ep 41: The Best of Both Worlds- Modern Classrooms Project and Building Thinking Classrooms

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Welcome toThe Best of Both Worlds" mini-series on The Modern Math Teacher podcast! 🌟

Today, we're diving deep into the exciting combo of the Modern Classrooms Project with Building Thinking Classrooms, exploring how these innovative teaching approaches can revolutionize your classroom.

As teachers nationwide embrace both instructional methods, the question arises: Can we truly have the best of both worlds? The answer is hell YES! 💡Join Kristen as she shares how she utilizes both these approaches in her own Modern Thinking Classroom

Today's Topics:
🧑‍💻What's a Modern Classroom?
🙇What's a Thinking Classroom?
🚀 Integration strategies that seamlessly blend the Modern Classrooms Project with Building Thinking Classrooms, from launching with inquiry-based tasks to facilitating collaborative thinking activities.

Don't miss out on this expert guide to transforming your classroom into a dynamic hub of curiosity, collaboration, and mastery. Enroll now in the MCP Summer Institute and explore affiliate links to Building Thinking Classrooms for further resources. Let's create the ultimate learning experience together!

Related Episodes:

🎙️ Ep 13: Building my Geometry Thinking Classroom
🎙️ Ep 24: What is a Modern Classroom

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Ep 40: Lesson Planning with Purpose

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Today's topic is all about effective math instruction, with a focus on lesson planning that drives student learning.

Today's Topics:

Determining the Focus of Your Unit: Explore the importance of holistic unit planning, considering curriculum goals, student needs, and available resources to maximize impact.
Lesson Planning in Project-Based vs. Practice-Focused Units: Learn how to tailor lesson plans to fit the chosen approach, whether it's hands-on project-based learning or targeted practice and problem-solving.
Approaching Lesson Planning on a Daily Level: Dive into crafting daily lesson plans that integrate various instructional methods and address diverse student needs while maintaining rigor.

Related Resources:

Project or Practice: The Expert Guide to Unit Focus: Download this free resource at moorethanjustx.com/guide to help identify the primary objectives for each unit and plan accordingly.
Ep 36: Unpacking Math Standards

Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your lesson planning skills and create meaningful learning experiences for your students. Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights and strategies!

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Ep 39: Unlock Student Engagement with Math Projects

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we explore the transformative power of project-based learning (PBL) in math education. Join us as we uncover the benefits of PBL, share inspiring success stories, and provide practical tips for designing impactful projects in your classroom.

Today's Topics:

Benefits of Project-Based Learning: Discover how PBL boosts student engagement, attendance, and achievement, while fostering complex thinking and 21st-century skills.
Teacher Success Stories: Hear inspiring tales from math teachers who effectively implemented PBL, including a kite project to explore quadrilaterals and a store project integrating systems of equations and statistics.
Practical Tips for Designing Projects: Learn essential strategies for designing PBL experiences, from selecting topics aligned with standards to creating project pathways and leveraging existing curriculum materials.
- Need help picking your perfect project topic? Click to Grab the guide!

Special Offer
Explore the promise of project-based learning in your classroom.
👉Click to enroll in PBL Kickstart with coupon code Podcast to put your project planning into action!

Want to run your own kite project or create your own class store? Check out these teacher favorites 👇

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Ep 38: Beyond Kill and Drill: Engaging Math Practice Strategies

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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Today, we're breaking free from the monotony of traditional drill and kill worksheets and delving into the realm of engaging math practice strategies. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to innovation! 💡📊 In this episode, Kristen shares four math practice methods guaranteed to make procedural practice more meaningful and enjoyable. Get ready to transform your math classrooms and elevate your students' problem-solving proficiency!

Today's Topics:

Thin Sliced Problem Sets: Discover the power of variation theory and how making minor changes to problem sets can lead students through productive struggle.
Partner and Group Collaborative Work:
Foster peer teaching and communication skills with partner and group collaborative work.
Games and Activities: Take procedural practice to the next level with games and gamification! Kristen suggests a variety of options, from classic board games to TpT resources and interactive Smartboard games and full lesson gamification.
Problem Solving and Performance Tasks: Go beyond traditional practice with problem-solving and performance tasks. These tasks enhance procedural skills and foster conceptual understanding through active investigation. 🌐📈

From thin-sliced problem sets to collaborative work, games, and problem-solving tasks, Kristen has equipped you with a toolbox full of ideas. Remember, variety is the spice of life, so don't be afraid to mix it up in your classrooms. 🌈✨

Now get out there and experiment with these strategies in your upcoming lessons and share your experiences on social media using #EngagingMathPractices and tag Kristen @MooreThanJustX.

Recommended Resources:

Thinking Task: Math Medic's "What's Missing?"
Gamification: Mathable Game and MathWars PD
Problem Solving Tasks MapMathshell

Related Episodes:

Episode 13: Building my Geometry Thinking Classroom

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Ep 37: Teaching the Math Standards: Practice or Projects?

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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Welcome back to another insightful episode of "The Modern Math Teacher" podcast! In our previous episode, we dissected the three domains of math standards – procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and real-world applications. Today, we're delving into a crucial decision every math teacher faces – choosing between project-based learning and traditional practice. Your lessons are about to get a major upgrade!

Today's Topics:

⚖️Deciding Between Project and Practice: Let's break down the critical 3P approach – projects, practice, and problem-solving. Discover how project-based learning aligns with application and modeling standards, while practice and problem-solving are tailored for procedural standards. Understanding these distinctions is key to crafting effective lessons.

📝Planning for Projects, Practice, and Problem Solving: Explore the strategic planning involved in deciding whether to focus on projects or practice at the unit level. Kristen shares her favorite topics for project-based learning, emphasizing real-world applications. Learn how to design projects that are not just about creating posters but also about reasoning and problem-solving in real-world situations.

🌍Connecting with Real-World Applications: Uncover the importance of selecting topics with meaningful real-world applications for projects and activities. Kristen emphasizes the need for topics that are real, relevant, and rigorous to resonate with students. Real-world connections can make or break the success of a project, as Kristen shares her experiences and insights.

Effortless Planning with our Expert Decision Maker Guide

Save valuable planning time with the "Expert Guide to Projects or Practice." Dive into the top 10 topics for PreAlgebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, each in its own expert guide. Gain insights into major learning goals and instantly know whether to focus on projects or practice. Spice up your practice-focused units with four creative ideas and receive a sample school calendar for effective planning. Don't waste time searching for projects that might flop – plan wisely with the Expert Guide!

👉Grab your guide now: Expert Guide

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Ep 36: Unpacking Math Standards

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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Today, we're diving deep into the very foundation of our teaching – the math standards. Navigating through over 100 high school math standards can be a challenge, but I've got you. We're here to unpack them and discover how they can be the key to creating effective and engaging lessons.

Today's Topics:

The Three Domains of Math Standards + Examples of Each from Middle and High School
- Procedural Skills- enhance your students procedural fluency
- Conceptual Understanding- build students understanding
- Application Standards- apply skills to problem solve
Modeling + WAP Standards:
- Modeling standards- where mathematics meets everyday life.
- Peek into Widely Applicable Prerequisites (WAP) – the top skills for success in various careers.
Unpacking Standards:
- A step-by-step guide to unpacking each standard. Get ready to take note!.
Aligning Instructional Goals to Match the Standards

Stay tuned for next week's episode, where we'll explore the best teaching strategies for different types of standards! 🚀🍎

Resources:
If you're looking to fast-track your knowledge, check out the CCSS Standard Breakdown in my TpT store:

It's a game-changer! 🎲🔗 Don't forget, send me an email at kristen@moorethanjustx with the receipt, and I'll hook you up with two free printables to make your standards journey even smoother! 🎁✉️

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Ep 35: From Uncertainty to Excitement- Implementing PBL

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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Today's episode, titled "From Uncertainty to Excitement: Implementing PBL," serves as a comprehensive guide for turning the ambiguity surrounding PBL into a wellspring of enthusiasm and practical know-how.

Today's Topics:

Summarizing the PBL Journey in episodes 29-34
Understanding your classroom dynamics and the importance of cultivating a positive math community for successful PBL.
Choosing the right project, aligning topics and targets, personalizing projects, and fostering collaboration.
Planning and implementation strategies, incorporating existing curriculum into the project scope and sequence.
Addressing the assessment elephant in the room, exploring various assessment strategies and emphasizing the role of reflection.

In this condensed yet impactful episode, we've journeyed from summarizing our past episodes to providing a roadmap for confidently implementing PBL in your math classroom. Understanding your classroom dynamics, choosing the right project, planning and implementation, and effective assessment strategies have been the focal points. We wrap up by encouraging teachers to share their unique PBL experiences, fostering a community of inspiration and growth. Until next time, keep it real, stay engaged, and continue embracing the magic of PBL!

Resources Mentioned:
- Gold Standard Project Planner
- Project Based Math Class Creator
- Project Based Math Class Teacher

Don’t forget your EXCLUSIVE listener coupon code: PODCAST for over 40% off each course!

Stay Updated:
- Subscribe to The Modern Math Teacher podcast for the latest insights and best practices in teaching math.

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Ep 34: The Power of Project Based Learning in Math Class

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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Today, we're delving into the heart of project-based learning, unraveling its power while dispelling lingering myths. Let's connect the dots between its benefits and the misconceptions that may be holding you back.

Today’s Topics
Benefits of Project-Based Learning:

⭐️Engagement and Motivation: Unveiling how PBL enhances student engagement with examples like the "Save for Success" project.

⭐️Real-World Relevance: Illustrating the practical applications of PBL through projects like "Pitch Profit" and "Wasted Space."

⭐️Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Exploring how PBL fosters critical thinking skills using the example of the "Pitch Profit" project.

Debunking Myths + Misconceptions:

❌PBL is an Add-On to Student’s Regular Content

❌ PBL is Hard to Assess Individual Students Because Everything is in a Group

❌Myth: PBL is the same as "making something," "hands-on learning," or "doing an activity":**

❌Myth: PBL takes too much time:

Your unique journey in PBL is valuable, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the Modern Math Teacher’s Facebook group. If you find this PBL series helpful, share your favorite episode on social media and tag me at @moorethanjustX

Resources Mentioned

- Project Based Math Class Creator

- Project Based Math Class Teacher

Don’t forget your EXCLUSIVE listener coupon code: PODCAST for over 40% off each course!

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Ep 33: How to Plan your next PBL Project with AI

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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Today's episode brings together two powerful forces: project-based learning and the cutting-edge ChatGPT. Listen in to unveil the magic that happens when AI becomes your ally in math class planning.

Today’s Topics

Dig in to the Gold Standard Project Planner
Explore how ChatGPT enhances the pre-planning and active planning phases.
Discover the power of AI in crafting essential questions, determining project products and events, mapping out project pathways, and creating project calendars seamlessly integrated with your curriculum.

ChatGPT is an amazing companion to the Gold Standard Project Planner.

Creating an AI project plan is a great way to get started with PBL-- Filling in gaps in your own knowledge and understanding and helping spark ideas and unlock creativity you may not have otherwise tapped into!

And you can see it ALL in action in the brand new module for Project Based Math Class Creator for an exclusive module on project planning using ChatGPT– on sale exclusively for podcast listeners using the coupon code PODCAST

Resources:

- The Gold Standard Project Planner- Get a free PBL planner to use alongside ChatGPT sent straight to your email

- Project Based Math Class Makeover

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Ep 32: Getting Started with PBL in Math Class

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we're diving deep into the world of project-based learning (PBL). From demystifying PBL to today's practical steps, get ready to roll up your sleeves and embark on a transformative journey in your math classroom. We've got the keys to make math class real, relevant, and rigorous through PBL, so let's get started!

Today’s Topics

1. Setting the Foundation:- Kristen takes us on a quick journey, revisiting past episodes and connecting the dots between student engagement, PBL, and the 3Rs (real, relevant, rigorous). Learn why a strong math community is the cornerstone for PBL success.

2. Choosing the Right Project:- Discover the art of choosing the perfect project, with insights on aligning topics with learning targets, personalizing projects for student engagement, and fostering collaboration to enhance the PBL experience.

3. Planning and Implementation : - Kristen unveils her planning process, offering a unique approach to marry curriculum requirements with PBL. Explore the importance of defining goals, creating timelines, and assigning roles for a successful PBL implementation.

4. Assessing and Reflecting: - Learn smart strategies to assess individual content knowledge and make assessment a breeze.

This is an exciting episode that will arm you with the essentials to kickstart your PBL journey. Remember, it's not just about teaching math; it's about creating an experience. Keep that PBL fire burning as your students embark on a transformative journey. Until next time, keep it real!

Resources

Check out Project Based Math Class Creator to learn how to write and create your own PBL unit with an opportunity for Kristen's feedback.
Explore Project Based Math Class Teacher to master the art of assessing students and systems to rock pbl in your class
Read about tiEdutopia: Creating Opportunities for PBL in Math Class

Don't forget to use coupon code PODCAST go get an EXCLUSIVE discount on courses for podcast listeners!

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Ep 31: Project Based Learning Demystified

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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In this episode, we take our journey from recognizing the frustration of student disengagement to the exhilarating world of project-based learning (PBL). Join us as we demystify PBL, bridging the gap between theory and transforming your math classroom-- yes you heard that right! Project based learning and math go hand in hand.

Today’s Topics Include

What is Project-Based Learning?
Busting Common Myths and Misconceptions
The True Essence of PBL
Success stories of project-based learning in the classroom from Project Based Math Class Alumni

Stay tuned for next week! Get a sneak peek into the next episode, where we dive into the practical steps of getting started with PBL in your math class.

Related Resources:

Project Based Math Class Creator- learn to create your own PBL unit for your math class and get feedback from Kristen
Project Based Math Class Teacher- systems to streamline PBL and skyrocket success with your PBL unit!

Don't forget your coupon code PODCAST to get an exclusive discount on enrollment!

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Ep 30: The 3Rs of Student Engagement: Real, Relevant, Rigorous Math Lessons

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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In this engaging episode titled "The 3Rs of Engagement: Real, Relevant, Rigorous Math Lessons," we embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of extraordinary teaching. Inside, we dive deep into the importance of keeping math instruction: Real, Relevant, and Rigorous, providing actionable strategies and insights for educators aiming to elevate student engagement.

Today's Topics
- Importance of the 3Rs: Real, Relevant, and Rigorous elements as keys to unlocking profound student understanding.

- Practical Implementation: Utilizing AI tools like teacher-tools.ai to transform word problems, and designing projects connecting with real-world challenges.

- Maintaining Rigor: Balancing engagement with maintaining academic depth and complexity.

Resources:

- teachertoolsai.com AI tools for transforming standard word problems into engaging, personalized puzzles.
-Project Based Math Teacher Creator Course- Project Based Math Class Creator is your step by step guide to walk you through selecting the right content to connect your students and your standards, so you can create a project based learning experience that is real, relevant and rigorous. Ensuring you and your students are engaging with and mastering the mathematics in a meaningful and engaging way.
Podcast members get a special discount with Coupon code: PODCAST

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Ep 29: Connection is the Key to Student Engagement

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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We're kicking off the New Year with some serious classroom mojo. In this episode, aptly titled "Connection is the Key to Student Engagement," we tackle the age-old conundrum of making math relatable and engaging for our students.

We dive into the disconnect dilemma between curriculum standards and student interests, share real-life success stories, and provide actionable strategies to amp up that student engagement. Trust us, you won't want to miss these game-changing insights!

Today's Topics

The Disconnect Dilemma: Unpacking the glaring gap between standard curriculum and student relevance.
The Power of Personal Connection: Highlighting transformative moments in Algebra 2 and actionable tips for making math relevant.
Real-World Applications for YOUR students: Exploring connections to video games, art, and hands-on activities like spoon catapults.
The Reality Check: Breaking down actionable steps to infuse relevance, student interests, and academic rigor into your lessons.

Related Resources Mentioned:

🎙 Episode 5 Creating Sticky Lessons: Dive deeper into making lessons "sticky" for your students. (Note: Check out Episode 5 for more on sticky lessons!)
3Rs of Engagement: Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll explore the 3Rs in depth. (Hint: Real, Relevant, Rigorous!)

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Best of 2023: Classroom Management Dynamic Duo [REPLAY]

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500

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As we head back to the classroom after break, you may be thinking your classroom management needs a bit of a reset. Listen in to hear how you can combine the CHAMPS model with Capturing Kids Hearts to create a safe and welcoming classroom environment that can manage itself!

Recommended Resources:
💗 Capturing Kids Hearts- learn more about Capturing Kids Hearts here
🎧 Reflections on The Semester-- Kristen goes in to what changes she's making for the upcoming semester based on how her classroom ran in semester 1
🛍 Behavior Management Classroom Bundle--Combining the best of classroom management techniques-- having CLEAR expectations with CHAMPS and co-created classroom norms with this social contract--this bundle is everything you need to manage behaviors effectively at the high school level!

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Best of 2023: AI In Math Education [REPLAY]

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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We're featuring the best episodes of 2023 and kicking off with our most listen to episode this year: AI in Math Education! And it's no surprise because AI took the world by storm this year.

Catch the replay here then binge these other AI episodes and articles from Kristen:

🎙Utilizing AI as a Teaching Tool- guest interview with Dan Meyer on the Math Teachers Lounge Podcast

🎧Ep 14: Are you an AI Math Teacher?- on the Modern Math Teacher podcast

👩🏻‍💻Using ChatGPT in Math Lesson Planning- Kristen's most recently featured article on Edutopia

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 26: Year End Reflections to Reboot Your Classroom in the New Year

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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In this lively episode of The Modern Math Teacher podcast, join Kristen Moore for a deep dive into year-end reflections and strategies to reboot your classroom for the new year. As the academic year winds down, Kristen shares her own reflections on what went well, surprising discoveries, and aspects that didn't quite hit the mark. She guides teachers through a quick three-question reflection process to facilitate easy and effective self-assessment. Moving beyond personal reflections, Kristen delves into the intricacies of planning, classroom management, and the student experience, offering valuable insights and actionable tips for improvement.

Today's Topics:

The importance of reflecting on your current experience
Reflecting on planning, teaching and classroom management
The importance of student feedback in the reflection process
How to make changes based on your reflections

Simple 3 Step Reflection Questions
1. What is One Thing That Went Well?
2. What is One Thing That Surprised Me?
3. What is One Thing That Flopped?

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Ep 25: 3 Things To Do Now to Actually Enjoy Your Break

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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Today, I'm sharing my best tips to get you ready to leave work at work so you can actually enjoy that break. Get ready to make the most of your well-deserved time off without the looming cloud of work! 🌟

1. Give yourself a Grading Day 📝💪
- Trust me, conquering that grading mountain in one swoop is the secret sauce for a worry-free holiday break.

2. No Sunday Scaries, Only Sunday Serenity" 📅✨
- Invest a bit of time now to save yourself from the Sunday scaries later. Your future self will thank you for the strategic prep!

3. Ready, Set, Roll into the New Term 🚀📚:
- Prep your first week back with military precision. Walk back into your classroom after break with confidence and flair.

Ready to make your teaching life smoother than ever? 🌈 Share this episode with your math teacher bestie, and let's make the next semester our best one yet! Remember, a little prep now means a lot more joy later. 🎉

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 24: What is a Modern Classroom?

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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In this episode we discuss one of my favorite teaching practices--that's the Modern Classroom Model, which consists of three big concepts: blended learning, self-pacing and mastery-based assessment. As a mentor, I work with teachers worldwide to bring this model to their classroom and today we're just scratching the surface on what the model is and why it's awesome for math class.

Today's Topics:

What is The Modern Classroom Model?
- Blending Tradition with Technology
- Personalized Learning Paths + Self Pacing
- Mastery Based Assessment
- The changing role of the teacher
Why Choose The Modern Classroom for Math?
- Why it's a great fit for math class
- How it works out in my classroom

Resources:

Explore more about The Modern Classroom model at modernclassrooms.org.
Consider bringing specific aspects of the model into your classroom or dive into the full experience with free and paid courses available on the website.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

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Ep 23: 4 Lenses to Engaging Lesson Design

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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In this lively episode of "The Modern Math Teacher," we tackle the age-old challenge of making math not just comprehensible but downright exciting for high school students. Unveiling the secret sauce to engagement, our host takes you on a journey through the four spheres of relevance—self, community, culture, and real-world applications. From turning quadratic equations into kendama adventures to linking math with local events like kite festivals, this episode is a treasure trove of strategies for educators seeking to revolutionize their classrooms. Plus, discover a teen-friendly spin on real-world relevance, where math becomes the key to deciphering trends on social media platforms. Get ready to transform your teaching with this fun, informative, and slightly edgy guide to crafting truly engaging lessons!

Today's Topics
- Exploration of the four spheres of relevance: self, community, culture, and real-world applications.
- Personal anecdotes and examples, including the kendama-inspired quadratic equation problem and the integration of math into local events like kite festivals.
- Creating a culturally responsive curriculum, tying math to social justice issues, pop culture, and diverse student backgrounds.
- A teen-friendly perspective on real-world relevance, linking math to analyzing trends on social media platforms.

Related Articles
- Edutopia Article: "How to Make Math Concepts Feel Relevant to Students"

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Ep 22: Coaching Students Thinking through Word Problems with Mona Iehl

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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Inside this week's episode of The Modern Math Teacher, Kristen is joined by guest Mona Iehl-- the go-to expert on teaching and learning from word problems. After years of teaching in the classroom and working as an instructional coach for elementary and middle grades, Mona is no stranger to the struggles teachers and students have with word problems. Today she shares the biggest take aways she has had for why students struggle with word problems and her go to strategy for successfully utilizing word problems in your classroom!

Today's Topics Include

The need for risk taking and creating a classroom community that supports it
Changing when and how you use the word problems
Choosing the right kinds of tasks-- real, relevant and rigorous-- promoting thinking and culturally relevant
The power of student voice in the classroom discussions

It's a bit of a longer episode this week, so listen in while you're cleaning the house or prepping the food for the holidays or check out the episode in bite sized pieces:

Timestamped Bites

The Word Problem Workshop TM method (15 minutes in)
Productive vs Unproductive Struggle and the ZPD (20 mins)
Elevating Student Status -5D+ Friends check this one out!- (26 mins)
Word Problems within Curriculum Constraints + Lesson Design (36 mins in)
Math Class as Math Practice aka The Golden Goose (41 mins)
Getting Started (43 mins)

Meet Mona
Mona is a former math avoider, teacher & instructional coach in Chicago. Her passion for math came when she discovered how to engage every student in a subject she, too, disliked. Through intentionally changing her math class to help students BE mathematicians using a student centered approach math came alive for Mona and her students. Now Mona collaboratively coaches teachers in building a math culture through rigorous student centered math instruction. You can listen to Mona every Monday on her podcast, Honest Math Chat and connect with her anytime on Instagram @hellomonamath

Resources That we Mentioned

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Ep 21: Ensuring Equity and Engagement in PBL Group Projects

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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In this lively episode, we embark on a journey to revolutionize the way we approach Project-Based Learning (PBL) in our classrooms. Inside, we explore the keys to crafting group projects that captivate and engage every student, ensuring equity and excitement. From selecting real, relevant, and rigorous topics to strategically assigning group roles, this episode provides a roadmap for educators to transform their classrooms into dynamic hubs of learning through the power of well-designed group projects.

Today's Topics:

Project-Based Learning's Impact:
- The transformative effect of PBL on student engagement.
- Challenges with purchased PBL resources not connecting with unique learners.
Crafting the Perfect Project:
- Selecting topics that are real, relevant, and rigorous.
- Balancing learning targets with scaffolded challenges and extension opportunities
-Engaging Group Members with Roles:
- Optimizing group dynamics with smaller sizes and diverse readiness levels.
- Defining the purpose of the group within the project.
- Assigning roles like Lead Researcher, Designer, and Analyst for focused contributions.
- And of course we keep it real with just a little cautionary advice on group dynamics and size.

Resources from the Episode:
- PBL Kickstart
- Kick off your own PBL journey with valuable resources in this on demand workshop

- TpT Product: Gift Wrap Challenge
- Explore the mini project suitable for any time of year.

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Ep 20: Inclusively Celebrating the Winter Holidays in Math Class

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

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In this festive episode of "The Modern Math Teacher Podcast," we're diving headfirst into the holiday spirit while keeping math at the forefront. We're here to support those incredible secondary math teachers who want to inclusively celebrate the winter holidays in their classrooms.

We discuss the importance of embracing diversity, share three fantastic strategies for inclusive holiday celebrations, and introduce two incredible resources: the "Gift Wrap Challenge" and "Holidays Around the World " project.

Get ready to bring the magic of math and culture into your classroom this holiday season!

Today's Topics

Why does this matter? The significance of celebrating winter holidays inclusively in the math classroom.
How can we do it? Practical strategies for creating an inclusive holiday atmosphere.
Resources to Make it Easy
- -Introducing the "Gift Wrap Challenge" - a hands-on experience for teaching geometry and algebra through gift wrapping, perfect for middle and high school students.
- Spotlighting the "Holidays Around the World - By the Numbers" project - a cross-curricular math and culture celebration, aligned with Common Core State Standards.

Resources from Today's Episode:

🎁Gift Wrap Challenge 🎁 A real-world application for teaching 3D figures, including nets and formulas.
- Offers three levels of engagement, from geometric modeling to advanced algebraic analysis.
- Perfect for middle and high school teachers who want to make math come alive during the holiday season.
🌎🎄Holidays Around the World Project🕎🌍 A ready-to-go, standards-aligned project that explores winter holidays celebrated globally.
- Encourages students to research, analyze statistics, budget, write expressions, create equations, and explore cultural aspects using math.
- A cross-curricular experience that fosters appreciation for different cultures while practicing math skills.

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Ep 19: Breaking the Norms in Math Class: What's Scary and Why It Works

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, Kristen explores innovative teaching practices that some may find "scary" but are undeniably effective. Join us in this exciting journey of redefining teaching practices in the math classroom. It's time to leave behind what's "scary" and embrace what works. Your math education revolution starts here.

From homework that's not mandated or graded to blended instruction, self-pacing, and project-based assessments, Kristen takes you on a journey that promises to revolutionize the way we approach math education. Be prepared to break free from traditional norms and embrace the future of teaching practices in the math classroom.

Today's Scary Teaching Topics
👻Don't Mandate or Grade Homework
- Maintaining accountability and its impact on assessments.
- Relieving the pressure of traditional grading methods.
- Encouraging practice without penalties.

👻Using Blended Instruction not Direct Instruction
- The transition from traditional lecturing to bite-sized video lessons.
- The power of students having control over their learning experience.
- Practical tips for creating engaging instructional videos.

👻Letting Students Self-Pace
- Concerns about students falling behind and maintaining control.
- Creating a balance between individual pacing and overall progress.
- Using tools like unit calendars to guide self-pacing.

👻Embracing Project-Based Assessments
- The advantages of using projects as assessments.
- The insights gained into students' problem-solving and application of concepts.
- The importance of using rubrics for fair and focused assessment.

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Ep 18: Projects in Progress- The Rocket Project

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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Hey there, Modern Math Teacher! We all know that nagging question from students: "When am I ever going to need this?" Well, today, we're about to unveil a project that not only answers that question but also makes math an exhilarating adventure in your classroom. It's none other than the rocket project, a perennial favorite in my teaching arsenal. As we gear up for this thrilling project, pun fully intended, I'm excited to share the entire process with you.

Today's Topics:

- Modeling Projectile Motion:The rocket project makes quadratic functions tangible and exciting by focusing on real-world projectile motion, from sports to rocket launches, ensuring students have fun while learning.

- How the Rocket Project is Real, Relevant, and Rigorous:This project offers a quality educational experience, connecting with students' interests and challenging them with procedural, conceptual, and application-based math through data analysis.

- Assessing Understanding with the Project: Students actively model math through video and digital tools, honing critical thinking skills, multiplying binomials, solving systems of equations, and analyzing real-world contexts.

-Bringing the Project to Life: In my classroom, students progress from a procedural skills quiz to graphing exercises with Angry Birds, preparing them for collecting and modeling messy data in the rocket project, setting the stage for a successful school year.

The rocket project embodies the practical application of quadratic functions, providing a clear answer to the age-old question, "When am I ever going to need this?" Consider incorporating it into your classroom for a year filled with achievement.

Resources + Related Articles:

On the blog: My Favorite Project: Blasting off with Rockets + Real World Quadratic Functions
Shop with me on TpT: Quad-Rockets Rocket Project

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Ep 17: Projects vs Project Based Learning

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of 'The Modern Math Teacher' podcast, we're diving headfirst into the exciting world of "Projects vs. Project-Based Learning." We explore the key differences between these teaching approaches and, most importantly, when to choose one over the other.

Inside the episode, you'll walk away with three practical tips for designing engaging math projects, ensuring they align with your curriculum, resonate with real-world applications, and include effective assessment strategies.

Plus, we'll guide you on how to select units that could benefit from a project or a full-blown project-based learning experience. And the icing on the cake? You can download the 'Gold Standard PBL Planner' to walk you through the process with ease.

Today's Topics:
- The distinction between traditional math projects and project-based learning.
- Choosing the right approach based on your curriculum and students' needs.
- Three practical strategies for designing engaging math projects.
- Selecting units for projects and project-based learning experiences.
- The 'Gold Standard PBL Planner' as a valuable resource.

Resources
- 'Gold Standard PBL Planner' - moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner
- Real-world examples of math applications in various fields.

Get ready to transform your math classroom with the right choice between projects and project-based learning. 🎙📚 #MathEducation #ProjectVsPBL

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EP 16: Mastering Math with Johanna Kuiper

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this exciting episode of The Modern Math Teacher podcast, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a captivating conversation with the brilliant Johanna Kuiper! We dove deep into strategies that span grades 6-12, building a solid foundation for math mastery. Here are the key takeaways from our enlightening discussion:

🔍 Discovery and Inquiry Activities:
Johanna and I explored the power of discovery and inquiry-based activities. These engaging approaches ignite students' curiosity and foster a deep understanding of math concepts. Imagine your students becoming true math explorers! 🚀

📌 Sticky Lessons with Anchor Activities:
Discover the secrets to crafting "sticky" math lessons that stay with your students long after the class ends. Anchor activities provide that extra "aha" moment, making math truly memorable.
For more on sticky lessons, make sure to check out Ep 5: Creating Sticky Lessons

🧮 Using Manipulatives and Math Tools:
Johanna shared invaluable insights into using manipulatives and math tools to promote problem-solving skills. These hands-on experiences help students grasp abstract concepts and make math come alive. 🧩

🎉 Educator Exponential Virtual Summit:
Don't miss out on Johanna Kuiper's upcoming virtual summit, "Educator Exponential." Designed exclusively for middle school math teachers, this summit is your gateway to a treasure trove of strategies that not only engage students academically but also make them fall in love with math! ❤️ Stay tuned for this fantastic event! Enroll for free now!

So, math teachers, if you're ready to take your teaching to the next level and spark a passion for math in your students, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now, and let's revolutionize math education together! 📚

For more details on the completely FREE Educator Exponential summit, visit: https://moorethanjustx.com/educator and get ready to transform your classroom.

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Ep 15: It's possible: Mastery Based Grading with Traditional Gradebook Scales

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In today's episode of "The Modern Math Teacher," we're embarking on a learning journey that blends the age-old wisdom of traditional grading scales with the groundbreaking approach of mastery-based learning. Buckle up, educators, because "Mastery-Based Grading with Traditional Grading Scales" is about to redefine how you look at assessments and grades in your classroom.

Welcome to the world of mastery-based learning and traditional grading scales.
In today's episode, we explore the importance of understanding the dynamics between these two approaches.

Understanding Mastery-Based Learning
- Mastery-based learning: A customized journey for every student.
- Prioritizing understanding over grades.

Traditional Gradebook Scales and Their Limitations
- The limitations of traditional grading scales.
- The need for a holistic view of student progress.
- How competitive atmospheres can hinder real learning.

Incorporating Traditional Gradebook Scales in a Mastery-Based Classroom
- Strategies to strike a balance: Hybrid grading, narrative feedback, competency-based rubrics, and clear expectations.
- Fostering a cooperative classroom environment.

Resources Mentioned

Single Point Rubrics: Clear expectations for different levels of mastery.
5 Secrets to Mastering Mastery Based Learning
Mastery Based Scales Checklist

Related Episodes/Blogs:

Episode 10- Introducing Mastery Based Grading to Students

Kristen's Hybrid System

Converting Mastery Based Levels --> Percents
- Level 1: 65%
- Level 2: 75%
- Level 3: 85%
- Level 4: 95%
SIS Gradebook Scales Setup
- Formative Assessments- weekly mastery checks 10%
- Summative Assessments- 90%
  - Quizzes/Tests
  - Projects

With "Mastery-Based Grading with Traditional Grading Scales," you're equipped with the knowledge and strategies to revolutionize your classroom. So, embrace the mastery-based approach, and let's take education to new heights!

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Ep 14: Are you an AI Math Teacher?

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of "The Modern Math Teacher" podcast, we continue to embark on an exciting journey into the realm of AI in education. Inside, we explore the role of AI in the math classroom, emphasizing that it's a tool to enhance, not replace, teachers.

Discover the benefits of AI-driven personalized learning, real-time assessment, and streamlined administrative tasks.

Join the conversation about the future of AI in education and how it empowers math teachers to do what they do best, even more effectively.

Topics Discussed:

Understanding AI in Education: Defining AI and its relevance to math education.
Becoming AI-Savvy: The benefits of using AI tools for personalized assignments and tracking student progress.
Overcoming Challenges: Addressing common concerns about integrating AI in the classroom and strategies to navigate them.
Insights from the Field: Exploring real-world examples of AI supporting math teaching.
The Future of AI in Math Education: Discussing the evolving role of AI in education and the enduring importance of teachers.

Related Episodes you'll love!

Episode 1 of The Modern Math Teacher: Unleashing the Potential: AI's Transformative Role in Math Education
Episode S5-08 of Math Teacher Lounge with Dan Meyer: Utilizing AI as a Teaching Tool

Ready to join the conversation, share your insights, and continue your AI teacher journey with "The Modern Math Teacher" ? Come on inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement. Can't wait to chat!

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Ep 13: Building My Geometry Thinking Classroom

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of "Modern Math Teacher," we dive headfirst into the exciting realm of creating a Geometry Thinking Classroom. With a nod to Peter Liljedahl's groundbreaking "Building Thinking Classrooms" framework, the episode explores how to adapt these innovative teaching practices to the visual and inquiry-driven world of geometry education. From understanding the Building Thinking Classrooms framework to incorporating inquiry-based learning, we share insights and resources to help math educators revolutionize their geometry classrooms. Get ready to explore the exciting journey of transforming the way geometry is taught.

Today's Topics
- Introduction to the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework
- The benefits challenge of bringing inquiry-based learning into the geometry classroom, leveraging the subject's visual nature.
- Creating a Geometry Thinking Classroom with the help of valuable resources like Math Giraffe and Math Medic.
- Adapting lessons for verbal delivery and making student thinking visible using Vertical Non-Permanent Surfaces (VNPS).
- Strategies for thin slicing geometry concepts, incorporating visuals, and task card-based learning.

Resources Mentioned
- Peter Liljedahl's "Building Thinking Classrooms"
- Math Giraffe's discovery-based hands-on explorations for geometry
- Math Medic's free lessons and PDFs for exploratory math activities
- Wipebook VNPS
- Dry Erase Pockets
- Task cards for thin slicing geometry concepts

Transforming your geometry classroom into a "Thinking Classroom" is not just a possibility; it's a thrilling adventure waiting to unfold. By embracing the Building Thinking Classrooms framework, integrating inquiry-based learning, and harnessing resources like Math Giraffe and Math Medic, you're poised to revolutionize your teaching approach.

Join us on this journey of creativity, exploration, and innovation in math education. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to keep it real in your quest for a Geometry Thinking Classroom!

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Ep 12: My Favorite Math Project for High School

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of math projects that bring real-world relevance to your classroom. We address the perennial question of when students will use math in real life and explore three fantastic projects for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. These projects not only make math fun but also help students see the practical applications of mathematical concepts.

Today's Topics + Projects:
Algebra 1: The Stained Glass Project
- A hands-on linear function project with a unique twist.
- Emphasizes real-world problem-solving and business efficiency.
- Opportunities for practicing linear equations in various forms.
- Read about it here: Quick and Easy Linear Equation Project
- Get yours here: The Stained Glass Project

What educators are saying:
My students loved this real-world application of linear equations! The mixed practice with slope-intercept and standard forms was very helpful for my students, and they were so engaged in the problem solving aspect and artistic creation.

— Taylor H. Rated 5 out of 5

Geometry: Kite Design Project
- Connecting quadrilaterals, similarity, and trigonometry.
- Hands-on engagement with polygons and diagonals.
- Adaptation possibilities for middle school.
- Get yours here: Flying High Kite Design

Algebra 2: Rockets + Real World Quadratics Project
- Encourages cross-curricular connections, particularly in physics.
- Students apply skills in writing, graphing, and modeling with quadratic functions.
- Requires data collection, analysis, and problem-solving.
- Read about it: Blasting off with Rockets!
- Get yours here: Rocket Project

Tune in to this episode for a dose of inspiration and practical ideas to revitalize your math classroom with exciting projects! #MathProject #HighSchoolMath #EngagingMath #RealWorldMath #Podcast

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Ep 11: What does it mean to be Good at Math? Birthday Episode!🎉

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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It's a birthday surprise this week! 🎉 Host, Kristen Moore, is joined by two amazing Math Education experts who happen to all have September 4/5 birthday!

Listen is as Kristen, along with Mona Iehl @hellomonamath and Julianna Tapper @Collaborated.with.julianna discuss what it really means to be "good" at math, how we can support our students at all ages with developing that positive math mindset and give advice to teachers on how to foster this in the classroom.

And stay tuned til the end for a very special AI birthday tribute!

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Ep 10: Introducing Mastery Based Grading to Students

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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Get ready to revolutionize your classroom grading practices! In this episode of Modern Math Teacher, we're diving headfirst into the world of mastery-based grading. Say goodbye to traditional point systems and hello to a more meaningful way of assessing student learning. Join us as we uncover the secrets of mastery-based grading, explore its benefits for both teachers and students, and learn how to introduce this game-changing approach to your eager learners. Get ready to master the art of mastery-based grading!

Topics we talk about today...

Understanding Mastery-Based Grading: We break down the concept of mastery-based grading, shedding light on how it shifts the focus from points to a genuine understanding of the subject matter.
Why Mastery-Based Grading Rocks: Discover the rock-solid reasons behind adopting this approach in your classroom. From fostering individual growth to redefining learning goals, we're exploring the "why" behind the mastery-based revolution.
3 steps to Guiding Students through the Change: Learn the step-by-step process of introducing mastery-based grading to your students. From discussing grading practices and uncovering implicit biases to unveiling your mastery-based plan, we've got you covered.
Real-World Application: We take you beyond theory and delve into how mastery-based grading plays out in the real classroom setting, complete with a hint of traditional gradebook integration.

Ready to Dive In? Grab Your Resources:
We spill the beans on essential resources, including ...

"5 Secrets to Mastering Mastery in your Math Class" Guide
The ultimate "Mastery Scale Checklist."

Get equipped to make mastery-based grading your classroom superpower!

Resources Mentioned:

Get ready to level up your grading game with the mastery-based revolution! Tune in to learn, laugh, and embrace the future of education.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 09: The Classroom Management Dynamic Duo for the Secondary Math Classroom

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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The secret to classroom management isn’t a secret at all–it’s clarity and respect. How can you ensure everyone is crystal clear on expectations and that mutual respect drives the classroom? Simple–use the Classroom Management Dynamic Duo– CHAMPS + CKH.

Inside this episode, I break down each component of my favorite classroom management strategies and detail how I use them in a high school classroom.

Need help with either of these? I’ve got you covered with the Classroom Management Bundle

Today we break down…

Respect- find out what it means to me
- Highlighting the role of respect in classroom management.
- Emphasizing the need for mutual respect and responsibility in high school classrooms.
CHAMPS- what is it and why use it?
- What the heck is CHAMPS mean?
- Why Use CHAMPS in a high school classroom
- How I use CHAMPS in my classroom
Capturing Kids Hearts
- What is Capturing Kids Hearts
- Creating a Class Contract
The Dynamic Duo in Action

Resources Mentioned:

Classroom Behavior Management Bundle- Combines both CHAMPS and CKH methods into a comprehensive system for classroom management.
CHAMPS Expectations- Printable CHAMPS expectations in different color options
Class Contract Classroom Management - Mini lesson plan for creating a class contract and strategies for maintaining it. Including printables for display!
Capturing Kids Hearts- Info about the CKH program and training options.

Related Episodes:

Episode 08- Routines for the First week of School

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 08: Classroom Routines to Teach the First Week of School

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we're diving into the world of classroom routines – not just for elementary classrooms, but for high school as well. Routines provide the backbone of a well-functioning classroom, offering clarity, consistency, and comfort. Join us as we explore insights from two education giants, Harry Wong and Angela Watson, and learn how to establish effective routines that make your high school math classroom run like a well-oiled machine.

Inside we cover.... The Top 3 Routines for the First Week of School

Beginning Class Routines
- Greeting students at the door to assess energy levels
- Clarifying material expectations and daily goals
- Directing students to their seats and reviewing the day's plan
- Utilizing warm-up activities for engagement
- Establishing a visual flow using slides

Routines for Responsible Tech Usage
- Teaching responsible phone usage instead of outright bans
- Implementing routines for phone pocket usage or "out of sight, out of mind"
- Strike policy for inappropriate phone use
- Setting clear expectations and having a designated protocol
Routines for Taking Effective Breaks
- Promoting autonomy in deciding when breaks are needed
- Simple and straightforward "take a break" routine
- Monitoring potential abuse of breaks and adjusting expectations
- Incorporating whole-class breaks for resetting

Resources Mentioned

Harry Wong The First Days of School
Angela Watson 40 Hour Teacher Workweek

Routines and procedures benefit teachers and students alike, providing clarity, confidence, and comfort. They're the secret to a smoothly running high school math classroom. Don't forget to join the conversation in The Modern Math Teachers movement and share your own classroom routines.

Reach out to us on Instagram or join The Modern Math Teachers movement to share your go-to classroom routines. Let's keep the conversation going! Until then, keep it real and keep those routines rockin'!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 07: My First Week in a Modern Math Class

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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It's back to school season and inn this episode, we're diving into the three big pillars that lay the foundation for success in a modern math classroom. Get ready to learn how to engage your students in authentic learning experiences, establish classroom norms, and implement equitable grading practices all in the first week!

Today we discuss strategies to use the first week of class to share with students....

How what we do in a modern math class is different
- Engaging students in authentic learning experiences
- Moving away from traditional lectures to active learning strategies
- Trusting students' mathematical foundation and promoting confidence
How we work in a modern math class is different
- Establishing norms, routines, and procedures for productive group work
- Involving students in creating a social contract for classroom behavior
- Reflecting on collaborative tasks to develop effective group norms
How we evaluate and assess understanding is different
- Challenging traditional grading practices and discussing fairness
- Striving for accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational grading
- The importance of having conversations with students about grading

Resources Mentioned:

Classroom Contract + Consequences - TPT resource to help design class contracts and consequences with students.
Let's Make Squares activity from Sara at Math Equals Love and MathMedic lesson on the importance of definitions.
Book: "Grading for Equity" by Joe Feldman

Don't miss out on making your first week a success! Get your First Week Plan!
Download our PDF weekly plan for a 3, 4, or 5-day schedule, showing you how to strategically fill your first week with collaborative learning activities that will set your students up for a fantastic year.! Happy teaching my friend!
👉First Week Planning Guide!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 06: Self-Pacing for Success: Maximizing Student Engagement

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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Hey there, modern math teachers! Welcome to an exciting new episode of our podcast, where we're all about shaking up the traditional classroom and unleashing the power of self-pacing in our classrooms!! Get ready to fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a journey to ignite student ownership and skyrocket engagement. In this episode, we'll unveil the secrets to structuring a self-paced math classroom–that even works with PBL!--crafting mind-blowing blended lessons, and unleashing mastery-based assessments. Embrace the chaos, because we're here to revolutionize your teaching game!

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

The Modern Classroom Model and its impact on student ownership
The importance of self-pacing in fostering student ownership and engagement
Strategies for structuring a classroom using the Modern Classroom Model
A peek inside the Modern Classroom Model:
- Blended learning: Creating interactive video lessons to meet students' individual needs and interests
- Collaboration and peer support in a self-paced PBL environment
- Mastery-based assessments: Quick formative assessments for analyzing student understanding and promoting revision and growth
The magic of self-pacing in PBL classrooms
The role of the teacher as a chaos coordinator in a self-paced classroom

Resources Mentioned:

Modern Classrooms Project (modernclassrooms.org): A comprehensive, free program that provides guidance and support for implementing the Modern Classroom Model
Erin Benson: A MC Mentor and valuable resource for any questions or support needed in creating a classroom that boosts student ownership and engagement

Related Featured Posts:

Get ready to buckle up and hit the accelerator on student engagement through the power of self-pacing. This episode will give you the roadmap to transform your classroom into a dynamic hub of learning excitement! Let's dive in and maximize student engagement like never before!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 05: Creating Sticky Lessons: Engaging Students through Anchor Activities

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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Are your students forgetting important skills just a couple of units later? In this episode, we dive into the world of anchor activities to solve this problem. Anchor activities are the secret sauce to making lessons stick with your students. They create memorable and engaging experiences that connect prior knowledge with new concepts. Our guest speaker shares examples of anchor activities and reveals the key principles for designing effective ones. Get ready to launch your units with anchor activities that will leave a lasting impact on your students!

Highlights:

Why we need to make our lessons sticky
Anchor Activities: what they are and why you need them
Examples of Anchor Activities in Action
Creating your own Anchor Activities

Resources:
- MathMedic: A free resource bank created by fellow Michigan teachers for high school teachers looking for anchor activity inspiration.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 04: The Power of Connection to Boost Student Engagement

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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The Power of Connection: Making Learning Real, Relevant, and Rigorous for Student Engagement

In this episode, we explore the power of connection in making learning real, relevant, and rigorous for student engagement. We discuss the challenges of students falling behind and the limitations of a boxed curriculum designed for on-pace learners. Discover how taking a project-based approach and giving lessons a reality check can hook students into the learning process, boost their motivation, and help them overcome fears. By making lessons relevant to students' lives and interests, we can ignite their interest and investment in the material, leading to increased engagement and confidence in learning.

Topics Discussed:

The need for student engagement: Addressing student challenges and the limitations of boxed curriculum.
Making lessons real, relevant, and rigorous: Emphasizing the power of connecting lessons to students' lives.
Strategies for boosting engagement: Outlining three simple steps to give the curriculum a reality check.

Resources Mentioned:

Get Real Checklist: A guide to determining how topics can be made real, relevant, and rigorous.
Member Vault: Access the mini-course on designing lessons using the Reality Check framework.
Discount Offer: 50% off the mini-course available at www.moorethanjustx.com/summer (for a limited time).

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 03: Are your Grading Practices Equitable?

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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In this episode of Modern Math Teacher, we dive deep into the world of grading practices and challenge ourselves to answer the question: Are our grading practices truly equitable? We're going to get real as we reflect on our current grading systems, and begin to explore some of the transformative ideas from Joe Feldman's book "Grading for Equity." Plus we'll chat about some practical strategies to create a more fair and student-centered grading approach, including updates to my own grading practices. Get ready to shake up your grading practices and empower your students like never before!

Topics Discussed:
- Reflecting on current grading practices and identifying areas for improvement
- The difference between grading and assessing
- Incorporating alternative forms of assessment to capture diverse student skills
- Providing meaningful feedback that supports student learning
- Exploring some of the key principles from Joe Feldman's book "Grading for Equity"

Resources Mentioned:
- Book: "Grading for Equity" by Joe Feldman
-5 Secrets to Mastering Mastery Based Learning in Your Math Class

So, are you ready to shake up your grading practices and create a more equitable classroom?

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 02: Mastering Math with Project-Based Learning: Why Now is the Ideal Time to Dive In

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to an exciting episode that will transform your math classroom! Join us as we explore my favorite topic discussing the power of project-based learning (PBL) and why now is the perfect time to dive in.

In the first part, we dive into the benefits of PBL, from increased student engagement to the development of critical thinking skills. Discover how PBL connects math to real-world relevance, answering the age-old question of "when am I ever going to need this?" We share classroom tested project examples that foster global awareness, explore exponential growth, and tackle statistics-based debates.

In the second part, we provide strategies to overcome common implementation challenges, such as time management and assessment. Learn how to break down projects into manageable milestones and align assessments with curriculum standards. We also delve into the role of technology in enhancing PBL experiences, from using AI to design projects to gathering assessment evidence through digital tools. It's time to revolutionize your math classroom, empower diverse learners, and equip them with the problem-solving skills needed for the modern world.

Join us on this journey to master math with project-based learning!

Topics covered in today's episode include:

Unleashing the benefits of project-based learning in the math classroom
Boosting student engagement and critical thinking skills through PBL
Connecting math to real-world relevance and practical applications
Overcoming implementation challenges and strategies for success
Supporting students in gaining confidence as they overcome math anxiety
Harnessing technology to enhance the PBL experience

Resources Mentioned:

⭐️Gold Standard Project Planner: moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Episode 1, Unleashing the Potential: AIs Transformative Role in Math Lesson Planning
On the blog: How to Use Project Based Learning to Teach Math
On the blog: 7 Steps to Project Based Learning

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 01: Unleashing the Potential: AI's Transformative Role in Math Lesson Planning

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

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Get ready, math teachers, because we're about to embark on a journey that will revolutionize your lesson planning process. In this episode, we'll uncover the incredible potential of AI, specifically chatGPT, to streamline and simplify your math lesson planning endeavors. Trust me, this isn't just another Photomath equivalent for English teachers. It's a game-changer for math education, and once you dive in, there's no turning back.

We'll start by setting our standards straight, ensuring that our learning goals are explicitly aligned with the course, standards, and units we teach. No more vague requests like "write a geometry lesson." We'll learn how to be specific and prompt chatGPT to co-create a lesson plan perfectly tailored to our objectives, such as "developing conceptual understanding of quadratic functions with standard F.IF.7."

But that's not all! We'll also explore the importance of defining our focus, considering the different domains of rigor—procedural, conceptual, and applicable—and how they impact our lesson design. I'll even share a handy resource, my TpT store Moore than Just X, where you can find the complete breakdown of CCSS standards, including their rigor domains.

Lastly, we'll check for understanding, just like we do with our students. Ask chatGPT to create an exit ticket aligned with your lesson and evaluate if it hits the mark. By following these three key steps, you'll unlock a world of creative and engaging lesson plans that ignite a passion for math in your students.

So, let's embrace AI as our newest tool in the toolbox, empowering us to address standards, implement best practices, and captivate our students like never before. Get ready to transform your math teaching game!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Ep 0: Welcome to the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to the Modern Math Teacher podcast, the podcast that will help you use today's best teaching strategies to ignite and excite your students in math class and maybe even make it the best part of their day.

It's no wonder why a lot of math teachers struggle with engagement, using resources that are outdated and focus on procedures over problem solving, with real world applications that are anything but to the students they teach.

But you? You’re a Modern Math Teacher. You know that math is so much more than just solving for x and that with the right math class experience, you can unlock your students' potential to be powerful problem solvers of the future.

The Modern Math Teacher podcast delivers the PD you need, right when you’re ready for it.

We’re talking:

student engagement strategies
thinking classrooms that explore first and formalize later
modern self-paced classrooms
assessment design
equitable grading practices
mastery-based grading
project based learning and so much more.

Tune in weekly to get stories and strategies straight from my classroom as we dive into all things curriculum, instruction and assessment and see how small changes to each of these can make big impacts on the students in the classroom.

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast