Meaningful Math

In this episode, we’re exploring one of my favorite math routines, and it’s called My Favorite Mistake. I know that name might sound a little odd. After all, it makes it sound like mistakes are GOOD things. But if you’ve been part of this community for any length of time, you know that that’s exactly what I believe. Mistakes ARE good things! Press play to dive into My Favorite Mistake.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students.

This episode explores how real-time recording of student thinking can strengthen classroom discussions and support deeper mathematical understanding. Together, we’ll unpack strategies for capturing and organizing student ideas in ways that honor their reasoning and promote connection across different strategies.You’ll come away with practical tools for turning classroom conversations into meaningful visual artifacts that can guide instruction, build collective knowledge, and keep student voices at the center of the learning process.More from us:👀 Read the Transcript HERE👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

When we ask better questions, students want to share their thinking more often, which is great... until conversations become chaotic or one-sided. That’s where Talk Moves come in.In this episode, we explore how Talk Moves can help create more respectful and productive math discussions in your classroom. You’ll learn how to use simple, intentional teacher prompts to guide students in explaining their thinking, responding to each other, and participating more thoughtfully.We’ll break down a set of powerful strategies you can start using right away, along with tips for teaching them explicitly and building a classroom culture where all students feel heard. Whether your math talks need more structure or you just want to strengthen student discourse, this episode will give you the tools to build stronger, more confident conversations.More from us:👀 Read the transcript HERE👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

This episode continues our deep dive into questioning in the math classroom by exploring what makes a question truly effective. You’ll learn how open-ended questions can increase engagement, encourage rich discourse, and help uncover deeper mathematical understanding.Together we’ll look at the core qualities of good questions, reflect on why planning questions matters, and explore practical ways to shift everyday questioning habits. This conversation offers a strong starting point for anyone looking to increase participation and spark more meaningful thinking during math lessons.Links Mentioned✅ Depth of Knowledge Framework✅ Good Questions for Math Teaching by Peter Sullivan and Pat LilburnMore from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

What if I told you that today we’re going to begin exploring a topic that has the potential to completely change the dynamic of your classroom? That this single shift can actually give your math instruction a complete makeover? Well, the “one” thing I’m referring to is questions… specifically the questions we ask our students. Welcome to part 1 of this important conversation!This episode kicks off a two-part series on one of the most powerful tools in your teacher toolbox: the questions you ask. Part 1 focuses on the purpose behind our questioning and the impact thoughtful questions can have on student participation, mathematical thinking, and classroom culture.You’ll reflect on how intentional questioning can invite more voices into discussion, help students work through mistakes, and uncover deeper understanding. Together, we’ll examine simple but strategic ways to shift the way questions are used so they become a bridge to meaningful learning rather than a checkpoint for right or wrong answers.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

It might sound strange at first. After all, how can you solve a math problem without any numbers? But that’s exactly what makes numberless word problems such a powerful tool. In this episode, we explore how removing numbers actually helps students build deeper comprehension, plan solution paths, and develop the habit of asking, “Does this make sense?”We’ll unpack why students often rush into calculations without understanding the context, and how numberless word problems shift their focus back where it belongs: on sense-making. Plus, I’ll share simple ways you can start using this strategy with the materials you already have.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

The hundred chart is a classroom staple, but what if a small change could make it an even more powerful tool? In this episode, we explore the bottom-up hundred chart, a lesser-known version that could help students build stronger connections between number, language, and direction.We’ll unpack what makes this twist on a familiar tool so useful, why it might be especially supportive for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, and how you can introduce it in your classroom without tossing out your tried-and-true hundred chart. Get ready to see this classic math tool in a whole new light!Links mentioned in this episode:✅ Randolph, Winifred, and Verne G. Jeffers. 1974. “A New Look for the Hundred Chart.” Arithmetic Teacher 21, no. 3 (March): 203–8.✅ ”A Bottom-Up Hundred Chart?” by Jennifer M. Bay-Williams and Graham FletcherMore from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Let’s talk about one of the most underestimated math tools out there: your fingers.In this episode, we’re flipping the script on something that’s often seen as a sign of struggle. We’ll unpack why finger use in math deserves more credit, how it connects to student success, and what it might look like to embrace this tool instead of rushing students past it.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new perspective on the humble hand, and you might just start celebrating finger counting as a badge of math confidence instead of something to hide.Links mentioned in this episode:✅ Math Practice 5✅ "Why Kids Should Use Their Fingers in Math Class"✅ Perceiving fingers in single-digit arithmetic problemsMore from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Looking for a low-prep routine that sparks deep thinking and gives every student a chance to shine? In this episode, we’re exploring Silent Math—a quiet, powerful routine that encourages students to slow down, observe patterns, and reflect before diving into discussion. You’ll learn how Silent Math works, why it’s so effective, and how to make it work for your classroom.We’ll walk through step-by-step directions for using Silent Math with your students, share sample problems, and talk about the surprising benefits of removing talk from the start of math class. You’ll also hear ideas for adapting the routine across grade levels, tips for leading meaningful follow-up discussions, and the kinds of questions that help students make powerful mathematical connections.If you've never tried Silent Math or you're looking to refresh your approach, this episode will leave you inspired with new ideas.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

In this episode, we're talking about one of our very favorite math tools for students from kindergarten all the way through second grade - the Rekenrek. You might be thinking, "What the heck is a Rekenrek?" Well, don’t worry. We're going to tell you ALL about it, including where it comes from, how it supports students’ development of place value and number sense, and how you can get started using Rekenreks right away. Let’s dive in!Still curious if this episode is for you:? Let's uncover what makes this tool such a game-changer for K–2 classrooms. More than a counting aid, the Rekenrek supports deep number sense, place value understanding, and flexible thinking about addition and subtraction, all while being incredibly easy to manage and implement.We’ll talk about why the structure of the Rekenrek (based on fives and tens) is developmentally spot-on for young learners, how it helps students unitize and anchor their thinking. Are you ready? Press play and let's dig in!More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Do calculators belong in elementary math classrooms? Or do they prevent students from learning the concepts? In this episode, we explore the long-debated question: are calculators a friend or a foe?We’ll unpack common concerns teachers have about calculator use and explore how research supports calculators as powerful learning tools; when used intentionally. You’ll learn the difference between pedagogical and functional calculator use, and discover how calculators can actually enhance number sense, support problem-solving, and boost student confidence.From introducing calculators as tools (not shortcuts) to helping students decide when to use them, we’ll walk through practical tips and instructional ideas to help you bring calculators into your classroom with purpose.Whether you’re a calculator skeptic or curious about giving them a go, this episode will give you a fresh, balanced perspective rooted in research and classroom experience.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Estimation often gets overlooked in elementary math instruction, yet it plays an important part in helping students reason flexibly, think critically, and develop meaningful number sense. This conversation invites you to reconsider estimation not as a throwaway guessing game, but as an essential tool for building mathematical reasoning and intuition.We’ll explore why estimation deserves a more intentional place in your classroom and share practical ways to weave it into your daily instruction without adding extra lessons. You will walk away with routines, resources, and classroom-ready ideas that help your students shift from answer-getting to sense-making. If you're ready to elevate estimation from the margins to the center of meaningful math learning, this conversation is for you.Links mentioned in this episode:✅ Graham Fletcher “More Bang for your Buck” blog post✅ Estimation 180More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

We’ve all had those tricky conversations with families about how math is taught today. Maybe you’ve been caught off guard by a parent asking why their child is learning math “a new way,” or you’ve struggled to explain how current math practices support deeper understanding. In this episode, we’re digging into why these questions come up and how you can respond with clarity and confidence.We’ll talk about the importance of building trust with families, how to explain your instructional choices, and ways to involve caregivers in meaningful and fun ways. Whether you’re addressing concerns about pedagogy, content, or how parents can best support their child, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared to bridge the gap between school and home. Hit play and listen in!More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Math anxiety can start earlier than we think, and its impact runs deep.This episode will explore what math anxiety looks like in young learners and how it can quietly interfere with their confidence, participation, and long-term success in math. We look beyond surface behaviors to better understand the emotional and physical experiences students may have during math class and why those experiences matter.You will walk away with practical strategies for building a math environment that promotes curiosity, honors the process over perfection, and empowers students to feel seen, supported, and capable. Whether you have students who shut down during math or simply want to create a more inclusive and encouraging classroom culture, this conversation is for you.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Today, we’re tackling an important and transformative topic: building strong mathematical identities. But what exactly is a mathematical identity, and why is it so critical not just for academic success, but for lifelong learning and personal growth? Press play to dive into the discussion!What does it take for students to see themselves as capable mathematicians?In this episode, we explore how mathematical identity shapes not only how students approach math in the classroom but also how they see themselves in relation to learning, problem-solving, and future opportunities. These identities begin to take shape early and are deeply influenced by classroom culture, teacher language, and the kinds of experiences students have with math.We will unpack six powerful strategies you can use to build a more inclusive and empowering math environment, one where students learn to value persistence, take risks, and trust their own reasoning. This conversation is as much about student growth as it is about your own growth as an educator.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

What does the way we arrange and organize our classroom communicate to our students about what learning is valued and who holds the knowledge? How can we set up our classrooms in a way that fosters collaboration and discussion? We’ll dig into all of it in this episode!The way we arrange our classrooms says more than we think. From the placement of desks to what’s on the walls, these choices quietly communicate expectations, priorities, and student roles. This episode explores how to design a classroom space that fosters student collaboration, encourages rich discussion, and supports active learning. You’ll come away with practical strategies for defronting your classroom, rethinking desk groupings, organizing materials, and creating wall displays that elevate student voice. No matter your classroom setup or budget, these approaches will help you create a space where community thrives and students feel a sense of belonging and purpose.Read the Transcript HEREMore from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Some of the “rules” we teach in math class are surprisingly short-lived. They might work for a while... until they don’t. In this episode, we’re diving into the kinds of strategies and shortcuts that seem helpful early on, but later become roadblocks to deep understanding.From multiplying by 10 to “you can’t take a bigger number from a smaller number,” we’ll take a look at a few examples of expired rules and the misconceptions they create. We’ll also explore how we, as teachers, can be more intentional with the language we use, laying a stronger foundation now to support the more complex thinking that’s coming later.Let’s get started!

Today, we’re examining what happens when rules that students once learned in math class are no longer true, or in other words, they expire. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “If it’s a rule, how could it ever not be true? That seems like a contradiction.” And that’s a fair point. Let’s take a look at some examples and talk about it!In this episode, we take a closer look at the kinds of shortcuts, tips, and language we use with the best of intentions (especially in early grades) that can cause confusion down the line. What starts as helpful guidance can quietly set up misconceptions that are tough to unlearn.We’ll talk about what it means to “attend to precision” in how we talk about math and how to help students build understanding that sticks.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Today we’re diving into a hot topic in education: homework in the elementary grades. Many educators have strong opinions about homework, one way or the other. In today’s discussion, we will unpack what research tells us about homework, reflect on common issues associated with homework, and explore ways we can make it more meaningful for our students.Homework is one of the most debated topics in elementary education. Should we assign it? How much is too much? And what kind of homework is actually helpful for young learners? For many educators, these questions remain a constant source of uncertainty.In this episode, we examine what research says about homework in the early grades and explore common challenges. You’ll also hear practical strategies for designing homework that is purposeful, flexible, and meaningful, even when time and expectations vary. However you currently approach homework, this episode offers thoughtful guidance to help you make informed decisions that support both students and families.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!

Like most teachers, you probably administer a beginning-of-the-year assessment (BOYA). Too often, BOYAs become something we do just because it’s expected. We administer the test, we check the box, and we move on. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing BOYAs as a requirement, we saw them as an opportunity to really understand what our students need to succeed in math? An opportunity to move beyond just getting the right answer and towards fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Press play to dig in!How we start the school year sets the tone for student learning, yet many early assessments fall short of capturing what our students truly know and can do. This episode explores how to move beyond traditional beginning-of-year math assessments that focus on rote procedures and instead embrace practices that highlight student thinking, reasoning, and mathematical understanding.Discover practical alternatives to standard assessments, and learn how these strategies can offer meaningful insights into student thinking, while also creating a positive, low-pressure learning environment from day one.More from us:👉 Follow us on Instagram @meaningfulmathco⭐️ SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. With your support, we can reach even more teachers looking to make math meaningful for their students. Thank you!