Shows
The Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense with Christina Tondevold and Mona IehlIn this cross-posted episode from Math Chat, host Mona Iehl interviews Christina Tondevold about developing number sense in elementary students. Christina shares her journey from a "procedural" math student to becoming a math coach and founder of Build Math Minds. The conversation explores the eight components of number sense: four early numeracy concepts (subitizing, verbal counting, object counting, and cardinality) and four number relationships (spatial relationships, one/two more or less, benchmarks of 5 and 10, and part-part-whole). Christina explains how these concepts help move students beyond counting to more efficient math strategies. Practical classroom strategies discussed...2025-05-2547 min
Math Chat145: Number Sense with Christina TondevoldSend us a textEver feel like your students don't have number sense? In this episode, we’re unpacking number sense with our guest, Christina Tondevold. Let’s dig in—it’s about to get good.🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode, Christina dives into Number Sense. You’ll learn:🔑 Tips on Teaching Number Sense🔑 Defining Number Sense🔑 8 Ways to Add Number Sense to Your Classroom…so you can feel confident in teaching number sense to your students.Whether you’re a brand new teacher or a seasoned teacher, this conversation w...2025-05-0843 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastTips for Using Games to Build Math Minds with Dan FinkelIn this episode, Christina Tondevold welcomes special guest Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love and creator of popular games like Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dot. Dan shares his three essential principles for effectively implementing mathematical games in the classroom: games should involve meaningful choices, math should be the engine driving the gameplay, and games should be simple to learn and quick to play. Through personal stories and classroom examples, Dan and Christina explore how games transform math from a dreaded chore into an engaging learning experience. The episode concludes with a demonstration of the "31 Game," a simple...2025-04-2021 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastRepackaging Style Word Problems: Transforming Missing Part Word ProblemsIn this second installment of our three-part series on Missing Part Activities, we explore 'repackaging tasks' - a powerful approach to traditional missing part word problems. While educators are familiar with finding unknown parts in word problems like “Christina has $12, she spends some now she has $7. How much did she spend?”, repackaging tasks push mathematical thinking further by having students redistribute quantities across equivalent expressions. Through practical examples in both multiplication and addition contexts, I demonstrate how these problems help students develop a deeper understanding of equality, number properties, and flexible thinking strategies. Learn how incorporating these enhanced word probl...2025-04-0606 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastBuilding Equitable Math Classrooms Where Every Student ThrivesGet a look at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's equity-focused sessions. This episode weaves together insights from leading voices in mathematics education who are transforming how we teach math to ensure every student succeeds. Featuring compelling data and classroom examples from Dr. Pamela Seda, Christina Lincoln-Moore, Dawn Dibley, and Susan Jo Russell & Deborah Schifter, you'll discover how to create truly inclusive math classrooms where all students can thrive. Learn why traditional teaching approaches aren't serving all students, how to recognize and nurture mathematical brilliance in every child, and practical strategies for implementing Universal Design for Learning in your...2025-02-2318 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMaking Math Irresistible: 4 Expert Strategies for Student Engagement in Elementary MathGet four powerful strategies for making mathematics engaging and accessible for elementary students from expert presenters at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Dr. Raj Shah reveals the psychology of engagement through video game design principles, while Kristin Acosta demonstrates how to use everyday images to spark mathematical discussions. Jeff Gobin shows how digital manipulatives can make abstract concepts concrete, and Tyler Tarver shares research on leveraging educational videos effectively in mathematics instruction. Whether you're looking to increase student participation, reduce math anxiety, or create more engaging lessons, this episode provides practical, research-based strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom...2025-02-1620 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Science of Making Math Stick: Using Brain Research to Combat the NAEP Score CrisisHow can we help our students retain what they learn in mathematics? The latest 2024 NAEP scores show that only 39% of 4th grade students and 28% of 8th grade students are performing at or above the Proficient level in mathematics, suggesting many students aren't retaining fundamental concepts. In this episode, Christina shares research-backed strategies from two Virtual Math Summit presenters, Jen Hunt and Michaela Epstein, that can help combat these concerning trends. Learn about The Forgetting Curve, how working memory impacts math learning, and why practices like math games and spaced practice are scientifically proven to help students retain mathematical concepts...2025-02-0917 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastProblem Solving Success: 3 Experts’ Ideas from the 2025 Virtual Math SummitIn this episode, get an inside look at three powerful sessions from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit focused on transforming math problem solving in elementary classrooms. Listen to clips from John SanGiovanni sharing a unique routine that shifts focus from answers to understanding, Danielle Moore demonstrating practical strategies for building student independence through CGI instruction, and Christine Riad exploring how classroom culture impacts students' problem-solving confidence. These pre-recorded sessions, along with Ann Elise Record's live session mentioned in episode 186, will give you practical tools to address common struggles students face when solving math problems. Learn how to help students move...2025-02-0217 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastLive Elementary Math PD Sessions You Won't Want to Miss: 2025 Virtual Math Summit PreviewIn this episode, get a sneak peek at the live sessions happening at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Learn about sessions from renowned math educators including Pam Harris on moving beyond algorithms, Shannon Olson on connecting mathematical representations, Kim Rimbey's innovative approach to ten-frames, Latrenda Knighten's strategies for mathematical discourse, and Ann Elise Record's deep dive into visualizing problem-solving structures. These live sessions, happening February 22nd-23rd, are designed to give you practical, classroom-ready strategies you can implement immediately. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com and learn about options for extended viewing of all sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade. 2025-01-2607 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastTasks for Building Thinking Classrooms - Virtual Math Summit 2025 previewIn Episode 185, we dive into Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC), one of the most transformative approaches in mathematics education. Learn why this popular teaching method is more than just vertical surfaces and random groups - it's about creating environments where students truly think and engage with mathematics. This episode addresses a common misconception about BTC and previews the Peter Liljedahl & Maegan Giroux’s 2025 Virtual Math Summit opening keynote. Plus, get insights from their new book 'Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom.' Whether you're new to BTC or looking to deepen your practice, this episode gives you some important things to...2025-01-1908 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastDon’t Discount the Use of Games in Your ClassroomTransform both your math AND reading instruction with two powerful game-based resources! In this episode, discover how to implement engaging games that provide meaningful practice without the typical hassles of game setup and complicated rules. Learn about Reading Simplified's "Switch It" game for building foundational reading skills, and explore the versatile "Evergreen Games" for math practice that can be adapted for any math concept throughout the year. These games offer the perfect balance of fun and learning, allowing students to get multiple repetitions while actually enjoying the practice! Key Takeaways: Learn about two free game...2025-01-1213 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Count - Uncovering Mathematical Structure in Elementary ClassroomsThe Count is an activity from John SanGiovanni's book that turns simple counting into a deep mathematical exploration. In this episode, learn how this routine helps elementary students engage with Math Practice #7 by looking for and making use of mathematical structure. We'll break down how a seemingly simple counting sequence can develop number sense, encourage mathematical thinking, and create a low-pressure environment for pattern recognition. Key Takeaways: Learn what "The Count" activity is and how to implement it Understand how counting can develop deeper mathematical thinking Questions to help students look f...2024-12-1508 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVisual Patterns: The Secret Weapon for Teaching The Math PracticesDiscover how Visual Patterns can transform mathematical thinking in your elementary classroom! Listen in as we explore Fawn Nguyen's powerful activity that engages students in all 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice. Learn how a single activity can help students reason, argue, model, and see the hidden structures in mathematics. This episode is a must-listen for educators looking to make math more engaging, meaningful, and accessible for their students. Key Takeaways: Understand how Visual Patterns support mathematical thinking Learn strategies to engage students across all Math Practice Standards Discover a low-prep, high-impact math...2024-12-0810 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastExploring Patterns Through Number RoutinesThe predictability of mathematics is one of the things I love about math. There are some great activities you can do in your classroom with your students to help them see & USE that predictability. Last week I shared one (Leaping Numbers) and this week I’m sharing another: Finding One and All. This is a great number routine that is similar, yet different, to Number Strings and is a wonderful way to get your students engaged in Math Practice #7: Look For and Make Use of Structure. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.y...2024-12-0109 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastLeaping Numbers: a great math activity for exploring patternsWant a fun, engaging, and mathematically powerful activity to help keep your students engaged in math until the holiday break? In this episode I’m sharing a new activity by one of my favorite creators, Steve Wyborney, Leaping Numbers. This activity is a great way to get your students doing Standard of Math Practice #7: Look For & Make Use of Structure. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/180 2024-11-2405 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastA Math Hack That Isn’t a HackMath tricks or hacks are everywhere, but which ones should you actually use with your students? I came across one this week on social media and thought I’d use it as an example to give you some ideas on how to approach the use of math tricks in your classroom. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/179 2024-11-1706 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastStudents who struggle with Less Than problemsThis week’s episode comes from a question that was sent in about helping students who struggle with math problems that are written differently than kids typically see them. These types of “less than” math problems are strange because kids don’t often encounter them in that way even in their own lives. I’m giving you two tips to help students so that these types of problems aren’t so difficult for them. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go t...2024-11-1007 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMath MisconceptionsMath Misconceptions might just look like mistakes that your students are making, but they are usually slightly different. Mistakes happen when we don’t remember, or remember incorrectly, whereas Misconceptions are rooted in understanding…we believe this is the way it is. Mistakes happen from time to time, and are usually not anything to get too worried about. But Misconceptions stem from a person’s understanding of something and if it isn’t addressed it will forever be misunderstood. In this episode I’m introducing you to our series of short videos we have put together to start a conversation a...2024-11-0304 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastAvoiding the Trap of AlgorithmsIn this episode I’m introducing you to a not-yet-released book about the traps of math algorithms, but it’s actually so much more than that. It’s about women supporting women and lifting someone up when you see they are doing good instead of trying to tear them down. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/176 2024-10-2709 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastAlways Building Relationships - Rounding Numbers SeriesRounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this last episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving you an acronym to remember to help your students with rounding numbers: ABR. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: BuildMathMinds.com/175 2024-10-2010 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastHelping Students Understand Magnitude of Numbers - Rounding Numbers SeriesRounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this 2nd episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving my 2nd tip on how to help your students round with understanding. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: BuildMathMinds.com/174 2024-10-1308 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastUsing Number Lines to Round Numbers - Rounding Numbers SeriesRounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher. Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense. In this first episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving my first tip on how to help your students round with understanding. To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: BuildMathMinds.com/1732024-10-0610 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastIs Emotional Teaching a Thing???I think we’ve all heard and know about Emotional Eating, but have you ever felt like you’ve done Emotional TEACHING? Not sure it’s a thing, but it kind of feels like it should be. Listen in to my random thoughts and then let me know in the comments over on the YouTube video or the show notes page if you’ve ever done Emotional Teaching? I give an example of Teaching Emotionally in math, but your example could be from any content area.2024-09-2905 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastSummer Book Study for Elementary Math Educators2024-06-0209 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Importance of PlayMy kids and I play a lot. Sports, card games, board games, but they all have a preset goal…to win. According to a book I’m reading, true play does NOT have a preset goal. So it got me wondering how much true play my kids, and I, actually do. I’m making it a goal to include more opportunities for us to truly play. In this episode I’m sharing my ideas on what I will be doing this summer to play (and getting my kids to join in) plus I give you the Seven Principles of Self-Active P...2024-05-2608 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMath Fluency Through FlexibilityIf you’ve struggled with how to help your elementary students build their math fluency, there is one thing I encourage you to do: Help your students build their flexibility with numbers. Textbooks try to directly teach strategies to students thinking that is how they will build flexibility, but you spend months doing that and then later in the year they act like they have no idea what you are talking about. That’s when we revert back to just making kids memorize. In this episode we take a look at my book Fluency Through Flexib...2024-05-1908 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastUse Math Manipulatives - No Matter The AgeWhen I first started teaching I don’t think I ONCE used a math manipulative with my students. It was all about learning and memorizing procedures and I didn’t know they needed to actually understand the math. Now, I’m a Recovering Traditionalist and I know that kids need to understand the math, not just DO it, and to help them understand they need to work with math manipulatives. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 key things to watch out for when working with math manipulatives. We need to be using math manipulatives at any age however we ne...2024-05-1207 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMental Math does NOT mean doing it in your headGrowing up I thought doing Mental Math meant doing the algorithm in my head. Times have changed and now many educators have kids solve math in different ways but during Mental Math it’s still only having kids to do math in their head. That’s not exactly what Mental Math should be about. In this episode we explore what doing Mental Math really should be like. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/167 2024-05-0508 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastA Child’s Progression When Grouping to Count ItemsIf you’ve ever watched a child during a counting collection and thought “Ugh! Why are you grouping the items like that?!?” Well, there’s probably a reason. There is a progression kids go through when organizing items they are counting. Now even though this information comes from a book about Early Childhood Education, it still applies to those of you in 3rd-5th as you work to help them group items in ways that lead to multiplicative thinking. Watch this week’s video about The Progression of Grouping to help you understand why kids might be grou...2024-04-2806 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastGeometry in PreK-2 is more than just knowing names of shapesIt is commonly thought that Geometry in the early grades is just about getting kids to name and identify shapes. There are actually 4 big ideas talked about in the Navigating Through Geometry book. One of which is the work around two- and three-dimensional shapes but it is so much more than just naming & identifying shapes. In this episode we take a look at what knowledge kids in PreK-2 should be developing around shapes and the types of experiences you can provide to help them develop it. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/165 2024-04-1410 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Power of Using Inverse Operations to Subtract & DivideThere are 4 main strategies children tend to use to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. These math strategies are not tricks. Their foundations are built on number relationships and properties of operations. In the Math Strategy Sessions we have already explored 3 of the strategies and our next session is focused on helping kids use and understand the Inverse Operation Strategy (https://buildmathminds.com/strategy-sessions to register). This is more than just helping kids know Fact Families, it’s about helping them understand the meanings of the operations and the connections between Addition-Subtraction and Multiplication-Division. Helping your students develop the Inv...2024-04-0712 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastHelping Your Students to Be a Successful StudentThere are lots of Problems of Teaching when you are helping young kids learn mathematics. One of the hardest ones is helping your students to be successful learners, constantly trying to manage a large classroom of students who often are not very productive. In the book Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching by Dr. Magdalene Lampert, there was a line in the chapter Teaching Students to Be People Who Study in School, that still has me thinking: “...if we view students’ productive or unproductive actions in the classroom as expressions of who they think they are, then classroom manag...2024-03-3114 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastApproximation, Precision, & Accuracy in MeasurementIn this video I’m sharing a part of a book that made me go “Hmm, I’ve never really thought about that!” It has to do with just how precise we can actually be when measuring items. One of the Standards of Mathematical Practice is “Attend to Precision” which is about being precise in all mathematical vocabulary and content, but just how precise should we make students be when it comes to measurement? Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/162 2024-03-2409 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastA candy bar is better than a pie…when it comes to fractionsI love pies, Pecan Pie especially, but I don’t love them during math time. Pies, well circles in general, are an overused visual when it comes to the teaching of fractions. In this video we take a look at visual fraction models that are much better to use and will be helpful to your students as they progress into other mathematical concepts like percentages, ratios, etc. Get any links mentioned in this video at BuildMathMinds.com/161 2024-03-1713 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastTips for Getting Kids to Talk in Math ClassAfter the 2024 Virtual Math Summit, there was so much mention of using Sentence Stems I wanted to dig a bit deeper into them. In my research I stumbled upon an old blog post by one of my favorite Math-y people, Sara Van Der Werf. In this podcast episode I’m sharing a piece of her blog post that talks about one tweak you can make to Think/Pair/Share (or Turn & Talk) to help get your students more engaged in the math discussion. Take a listen and go to buildmathminds.com/160 for any links mentioned in the episode.2024-03-0306 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Number Strings QueensCathy Fosnot and Pam Harris are The Queens of Number Strings (or Problem Strings as Pam would call them). I’m way too excited about the fact they are teaming up to do a one-day workshop all about using Problem Strings for Automaticity, Fluency, and Beyond. If you’ve been doing number strings and want to go more in depth on how to use them in your classroom, I highly recommend going to this workshop. Go to https://buildmathminds.com/159 to get links to items mentioned in the episode. 2024-02-2506 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVirtual Math Summit Preview: Preventing Teacher BurnoutBefore the 2024 Virtual Math Summit starts next week, enjoy this preview of a Pre-Summit Session by Rosalba Serrano on Preventing Teacher Burnout. Rosalba shares a ton of information and ideas to help you with burnout but I specifically picked this clip because one of the ideas she shared is one that my family uses a lot: Control the Controllables. Get registered so you can watch Rosalba’s full session before the summit starts: VirtualMathSummit.com/register. 2024-02-1811 minThe Build Math Minds Podcast157: Virtual Math Summit Preview: Challenges and Benefits of Building Kids' ThinkingThe 2024 Virtual Math Summit is in two weeks! Here’s a preview of 3 sessions from Jenny Foreman, Loren Thorpe, and myself talking about the challenges and benefits of working on getting your students to think and not just compute during math class. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/157.2024-02-1112 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVirtual Math Summit Preview: Things to Think About When Doing Number RoutinesThe 2024 Virtual Math Summit is this month! Here’s a preview of 3 sessions from Michaela Epstein, Rosalba Serrano, and Nicole Thompson & Jessica Batinovic giving you tips, ideas, and inspiration to make our Number Routines the best they can be for your students. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/156.2024-02-0412 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVirtual Math Summit Preview: Teaching Math with Newcomers in MindThe 2024 Virtual Math Summit starts in less than 1 month! Check out this preview of Dr. Jim Ewing’s keynote session about Teaching Math with Newcomers in Mind. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/155.2024-01-2808 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVirtual Math Summit Preview: Helping Students Understand MultiplicationThe 2024 Virtual Math Summit is coming soon. This week’s episode gives you a preview of 4 sessions that focus on helping students build their understanding and fluency of multiplication. Check out this preview of Shannon Olson, Juli Dixon, Thuc-Khahn Park, and Brittany Hege’s sessions. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/154.2024-01-2118 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastVirtual Math Summit Preview: Tips for Creating Student-Centered ClassroomsThe 2024 Virtual Math Summit is just around the corner. This week’s episode gives you a preview of 4 of the sessions. To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. I’m a huge supporter of Student-Centered Classrooms and so for this episode I grabbed some clips to share with you that give you ideas for ways to create that in your math class. Tammy McMorrow, Latrenda Knighten, Ed Nolan, and Mona Iehl each have presentations at this year’s Virtual Math Summit that help bring your students to the center. ...2024-01-1420 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWhy don't you talk about Time & Money?I get asked why I don’t do much training about Time & Measurement. I do have some videos, you can see them in my Playlists at the YouTube channel, but there is a real reason why I don’t talk about those concepts as much as others. So in this video you get my thoughts (based upon what other math educators & researchers have to say) about why we shouldn’t spend a bunch of time teaching time & measurement in math class.2024-01-0705 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWhat Do Students Need to Know About Division?This essential understanding about division is something even adults struggle with: Division is defined by its inverse relationship with multiplication. Our textbooks want us to teach division as its own separate operation but a key to helping students understand and become proficient in division is to teach it in conjunction with multiplication. In this episode I’m sharing an excerpt from one book in the Putting Essential Understandings into Practice series. To get any links mentioned in this episode go to buildmathminds.com/151 2023-12-1712 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastA Quick Math Story Problem ActivityWant a quick & easy to implement activity that will show you how much your students know about the math operations and about math story problems? I’ve got it for you in this week’s Build Math Minds podcast. This idea comes from the book Taking Action: Implementing Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices by DeAnn Huinker and Victoria Bill. You can find a link to it and any other resources mentioned at the show notes page buildmathminds.com/1502023-12-1007 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThings to Say Instead of IDKThe two ends of the spectrum when teaching math seem to be “here are the exact ways to solve this problem, follow it exactly,” and “you figure it out, I’m not telling you anything.” Neither of these tend to work. Instead it’s about finding a balance between these. We need to give some guidance, but not too much. We want them to figure out ways to solve problems on their own but we can’t let them flounder. The book 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive Classroom by John Seidlitz & Bill Perryman gives educators, as the title says, 7 ste...2023-12-0309 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #10 - Join The Flexibility Formula CourseIt's been an incredible journey over the past two weeks as we've explored nine key strategies to Kickstart your students' number sense. Now, as we reach the end of this Kickstart event, it's essential to understand that the foundations you're laying are seeds of number sense, and their growth will be gradual. These principles we've discussed serve as the blueprint for you to navigate through the upcoming school year: Do Number Routines and Contextual Problems with a focus on understanding. Watch for your students’ thinking around the number sense concepts. Keep a record of those understandings to help...2023-10-1710 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #9 - Practice makes Permanent…not Perfect.The saying "Practice Makes Perfect" often implies that repetition leads to mastery. However, practicing something you do poorly, or incorrectly, doesn't make it perfect; it instead reinforces bad habits. Practice actually makes PERMANENT. Practice is crucial, but it should follow the establishment of a strong sense of numbers. Day 9’s tip is to find a new way for students to practice math. Today's audio message discusses two valuable approaches to make practice more enjoyable and connected to your students’ current mathematical needs: using math games and offering students choice during math practice. Listen in to get...2023-10-1614 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #8 - Empowering Students Through the Use of Story ProblemsDay 8 of the Number Sense Kickstart emphasizes a simple, yet sometimes difficult, teaching strategy: Let students solve story problems, don’t give them the steps. The concept of Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) plays a pivotal role here. It acknowledges that students bring their innate mathematical knowledge shaped by everyday experiences with numbers to the table when solving problems. Students often solve problems in different ways than we think they should mathematically…however their strategies are often rooted in the context of the problem so it’s helpful for educators to know the different problem types. Your t...2023-10-1313 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #7 - Using Number Routines to Put Theoretical Ideas Into PracticeIn Day 7 of our Number Sense Kickstart we are shifting from the theoretical ideas I’ve shared so far into practical classroom strategies that make it easier to do the theoretical ideas. Our first practical idea is to do a Number Routine with your students. These structured, brief activities, taking just 5-10 minutes, are a potent tool for meaningful math engagement. Number Routines help students develop the 8 number sense concepts, encouraging them to interact with numbers and share their thinking. Number Routines create opportunities for deep mathematical understanding and allow teachers to listen more and talk l...2023-10-1213 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #6 - The Biggest Mistake Educators Make When Using the C-R-A ModelToday we're diving into the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (C-R-A) model of teaching mathematics. Typically, these stages are presented in isolation, with separate lessons for each. However, the real impact comes when all three are combined in a single lesson. This integration helps students see connections between different problem-solving methods and leads to those "A-HA" moments. The action item for Day 6 of the Number Sense Kickstart is to seek opportunities to combine C-R-A in your math lessons. Whether in your textbook or your upcoming lesson, aim to integrate all three stages. Learn more about embracing this model to e...2023-10-1111 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #5 - Are the Math Visuals You're Using Actually Helpful?It’s Day 5 of the Number Sense Kickstart and we're focusing on the power of visuals in elementary math education. Just like in reading, where creating mental images enhances comprehension, visuals are essential in math to deepen students' understanding of numbers and mathematical operations. However, sometimes the visuals that are in math textbooks and worksheets you download off the internet don’t actually help students understand the math. In today’s training we look at ensuring that visuals you use in elementary math lessons help students make sense of the mathematics. There are lots of cases where the visu...2023-10-1010 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #4 - Listening to Student ThinkingThis is Day 4 of the Number Sense Kickstart and we are exploring the profound impact of active listening in the classroom. Did you know that in the typical classroom, teachers do 89% of the talking, while students ask only 11 questions a day, primarily procedural ones? It's time to change this narrative and shift the balance toward student engagement. We draw inspiration from educator Steven C. Reinhart’s article “Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say For You.” We explore his five techniques that are shared in the article. These techniques will guide you on your path to fost...2023-10-0911 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #3 - Having a record of what your students understandMost textbooks are focused on answer-getting so their assessments are also focused on just answer-getting. That doesn’t tell you anything about what your students understand, only what they can do. To ensure you are building your students’ understanding of numbers, you need some way to keep track of what they are understanding. It’s Day 3 of the Number Sense Kickstart and today is all about recording what your students understand about the 8 number sense concepts. If you have taken The Flexibility Formula course, you have detailed information and observation sheets to help you do this. If not, Chris...2023-10-0607 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart Day #2 - What understanding do your students need?Mathematics is so much more than just getting the answers. Answers are important, but that really doesn’t tell you what your students UNDERSTAND about math, it only tells you what they can DO. If you want to see what your students understand there are 8 number sense concepts that are the root of understanding numbers. It’s Day 2 of our Number Sense Kickstart and in today’s episode Christina Tondevold is detailing each of those 8 number sense concepts. This is the longest video of our Kickstart and if you’ve taken Christina’s online course for teachers, The Flexibility...2023-10-0518 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNumber Sense Kickstart - Day 1Do you have students struggling with their number sense and fluency in elementary mathematics? You aren’t the only one! Over the last few years we’ve seen gaps in students’ understanding get bigger and bigger. So many elementary students are not fluent with math and the underlying issue is their lack of number sense. Textbooks often jump straight into having kids operate with numbers but they have no number sense to be able to understand why the procedures even work. That’s why we’ve created the 10-Day Number Sense Kickstart to help you kickstart your students’ number sense this year.2023-10-0415 min
Allison Loves Math PodcastBuilding Math Minds with Christina Tondevold"The way you learn isn’t the way everyone learns." - Christina Tondevold Today, Allison interviews Christina Tondevold from the Build Math Minds Virtual Summit, a free virtual summit from February 25th - March 6th with an incredible lineup of speakers including Jennifer-Bay Williams, Peter Liljedahl, Pam Harris, and more! You can grab your free ticket to the summit here: https://virtualmathsummit.com/ Christina gives us a sneak peek at her top takeaways from the following sessions: Peter Liljedahl: Building Thinking Classrooms Pam Harris: Division that Doesn't Make Students Cry...2023-02-2118 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWhy Is Understanding Fractions So Hard?2022-06-1905 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastPractice Makes PermanentHere in the United States, it is the end of the school year and teachers are contemplating what work they should send home with students for them to do over the summer. In today's podcast, I get into why I'm not a big fan of general problem packets over the summer and how the phrase "practice makes perfect" is a little inaccurate.2022-06-1204 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastStandard Algorithms Compared to Computational StrategiesI've been on a kick about math fluency lately and how a lot of textbooks have their teaching of fluency wrong. Growing up, fluency to me meant being good at the algorithm. Being able to follow the steps that the teacher laid out for students was the sign of being fluent. But, as textbooks have started teaching new strategies, students and parents are left feeling confused. In today’s episode I wanted to share this chart I found in an article by Randall Charles because it highlights the importance of letting kids use strategies instead of just the traditional alg...2022-06-0509 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMath Textbooks Have the Teaching of Fluency All WrongIn the last episode of the podcast, I shared the three ideas that make up computational fluency. Flexibility is often the piece that is missing in our fluency instruction, but recently textbooks have tried to incorporate more of it, but in the wrong way. In this week’s podcast, I go over some of the shortcomings in the ways textbook’s teach fluency and what we should really be focusing on when we’re teaching fluency.2022-05-2908 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWhat is Computational Fluency? The Flexibility Formula courses that I offer have a huge focus on how we can help kids develop number sense, but the main reason to focus on number sense is really to help your students become flexible thinkers; to build their flexibility in mathematics. In episode 144, I talk about how my courses started and the research that inspired them. Come take a listen as I discuss the concepts that make up computational fluency.2022-05-2208 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastSummer Reading List for Elementary Math Teachers 2022Each of you listening to this podcast have different goals for your professional development. You have different things you are wanting to read about to help your students next year have an even better math experience in your classroom. So I’ve compiled a bunch of different lists on Amazon so you can choose from books for specific areas you want to focus on. Come check out Episode #143 where I share my summer reading lists for elementary math teachers for 2022.2022-05-1504 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastNothing Lasts ForeverHave you ever felt like the thing you’re going through will never end? There is no doubt that hard times can wear us out and make us feel helpless. Then, it can seem like the good times don't last long enough. Whether it's good or bad times, it's important to remember that nothing lasts forever. In this week’s episode, we are talking about how to think about going through the hard times, and the good times by remembering that Nothing Lasts Forever.2022-05-0804 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastGet The Most Out of Math GamesGames are one of my favorite ways to have kids practice. They can do 50 problems in 5 minutes and not even realize it. But, one of the biggest complaints I hear about using games in the classroom is that teachers don’t know what the kids are actually doing while playing the game. Are they doing the math or just goofing around?? Come listen to episode 141 where we're talking about getting the most out of math games and go through some recommendations.2022-05-0106 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastAlternatives to Math TestsAs many of you are currently in the thick of standardized testing, it reminds you that testing shouldn’t be like this….but if not this, then what? This week, while sitting in my car waiting for one of the hundred, or so, practices my kids had to finish, I opened up the recent issue of the NCTM journal Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching PK-12. The very first article is about using word problems as a way to assess in mathematics. In episode 140, I go through some of this issue to give you some ideas for some alternatives to math tests...2022-04-2407 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastShould We Stop Giving Tests in Math?Should we stop giving tests in math class? This question was recently tweeted by Chris Luzniak and I found the comments under it very thought provoking. So, I thought I'd share some of them with you in today's podcast. Tell me what you think about them in the comments over at buildmathminds/139.2022-04-1705 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMore Than a TestTesting season is upon us and as always, it is stressful. I wish there were easy tips or tricks I could give you to help make it awesome but unfortunately, that doesn’t exist. In episode 138, I give some simple reminders on what to focus on as your student’s go through testing. But the biggest reminder is that your work of helping these kids be mathematicians is more than a test.2022-04-1003 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMath in Children's LiteratureThis week I finally got a chance to crack open the book Mathematizing Children’s Literature: Sparking Connections, Joy, and Wonder Through Read-Alouds and Discussion by Allison Hintz and Anthony T. Smith. I haven’t even read the whole thing yet because a paragraph from the first page struck me so deeply that I knew I had to share it with you all. In this week’s episode, I share a snippet from that book and get into my own shortcomings using children’s books as learning tools.2022-04-0306 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastProblem Solving In MathHave you ever dove right into something you had no idea how to do? As hard as we try not to, we often ask our students to do just that. When I first started my Recovering Traditionalist journey and implementing more student focused experiences, I thought it would be great but there were definitely some growing pains. In today’s podcast, I’m talking about how the book Introduction to Problem Solving by Susan O’Connell helped me learn how to encourage kids to start problem solving on their own. Come take a listen!2022-03-2705 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Tip of the IcebergIn today’s podcast, I’m sharing an article that presents a visual image I once saw that plays a huge role in how I think about building our understandings of mathematics. I really think about it all the time so I thought it was time to share it with you. That image is the tip of the iceberg. Come take a listen as I get into how the visual representation of the iceberg can help us think about the things underneath the surface that we don’t often consider when we say a kid is struggling to do someth...2022-03-2007 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastPencil or Pen?Pencil or pen? So many educators are adamant that kids MUST use pencils in math class so they can erase their errors. In today’s episode I’m wondering if pens could actually be better. Perhaps there is value in keeping mistakes on the page as our student’s work to get to answers.2022-03-1304 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastExperiences and Equity & AccessIn today's episode, I'm wrapping up my series on the Flexibility Formula by looking at Virtual Math Summit sessions from Juliana Matherson, Dr. Hilary Kreisberg, Neily Boyd and Dionne Aminata that address the Experiencing and Equity & Access pillars. These session sneak peeks give us some great tools for serving our students with noteworthy classroom experiences while being sure to include everyone in the instruction regardless of their background. The Virtual Math Summit was on February 26 and 27 and you have until March 8th to watch the sessions. After that, they go into the Build Math Minds PD site for our...2022-03-0615 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThe Connecting Pillar with Stacey Ellis, Matt Halpern, & Dawn DibleyI’ve been doing a series of episodes sharing some summit sessions that address each of The Flexibility Formula. Episode 130 we took a look at Understanding, episode 131 we dove into Observing, and today’s episode we are going to look at the Connecting pillar with Virtual Math Summit presenters Stacey Ellis, Matt Halpern, and Dawn Dibley. Each of them gives us strategies to connect with our students in unique ways that you may not have thought of before. Come take a listen!2022-02-2712 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastObserving Math Understanding with Michelle Chu & Kristen EmmelThe free 2022 Virtual Math Summit is just around the corner on February 26th & 27th. Each session addresses one of the five pillars of the Flexibility Formula. In today's episode, we're going to focus on the Observing pillar by looking at session snippets from Michelle Chu and Kristen Emmel. Michelle talks about making instructional decisions in the moment based on what you're seeing in real time and Kristen talks about using number sense routines to assess students.2022-02-2012 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastBuilding our Understanding with Dr. Ange Rogers, Duane Habecker, & Shannon McCartneyIf you’ve spent a lot of time with my content or have ever taken one of my PD courses, then you’ve probably run into the Flexibility Formula. The formula is a framework that helps us avoid turning kids into calculators and every session in this year’s Virtual Math Summit addresses at least 1 of the 5 pillars. This week, we’re getting sneak peeks into sessions from Dr. Ange Rogers, Duane Habecker and Shannon McCartney that address the Understanding pillar and help kids understand large numbers.2022-02-1314 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastTaking it a Step Further with Dina MendolaSometimes, it can be easy to be pretty focused on things we could do better in our classrooms. But just like we want to do with our students, let's take some time to think about how we can take what we’re already doing and take it further. In today’s episode, I dive into more Virtual Math Summit sneak peeks. This time, from Dina Mendola and me! Dina gets into how we should be thinking about fractions and I talk about one of my favorite topics: subitizing. Registration is still open for the Virtual Math Summit so go get...2022-02-0611 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastDoing Things Differently with Rosalba Serrano, Marian Small & Shannon KieblerChanging up the strategies we use in our math classrooms can be a really useful way to shake up the status quo, push kids further in their learning, and show us where we can improve as teachers. In this episode, I’m sharing sneak peeks into Virtual Math Summit sessions from Rosalba Serrano, Marian Small, and Shannon Kiebler as they encourage us to do things differently in our math classrooms. The Virtual Math Summit is free for educators so go get signed up at VirtualMathSummit.com/register . 2022-01-3015 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastThinking vs MimickingWhen I was going through school, mimicking the teacher was definitely the norm. For good rule followers, that can be really easy. But is teacher mimicking really our goal as teachers? If we only want students to mimic, then we’re not giving our kids space to think independently, and solve problems in a way that works for their brain. In today’s podcast, I share some sneak peeks from Pam Harris’ and Dr. Doug Clement’s sessions from the upcoming Virtual Math Summit where they share some of their ideas on how we can help our relationships with our stud...2022-01-2309 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastPowerful Moments in Math Class with Mike FlynnIn life, we naturally experience all kinds of highs and lows that stick with us, and influence the way we see the world. In today’s episode, Virtual Math Summit speaker Mike Flynn gives us a sneak peak into one of his presentations where he talks about how the “Pits and Peaks” of life influence our psychology and the way we think about our experiences. More importantly, he tells us about how we can actively use those realizations to help build better experiences for our students inside the classroom.2022-01-1610 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastLess Expectation, More AppreciationWhen it comes to teaching in the classroom, it can be easy to get caught up in the expectations we have for our students. But have you considered the consequences of being hyper focused on expectations? If we look at students through a lens of “we expected you to have THIS and THAT, but you don’t” it starts us off on the wrong foot with how to help the kids. If instead we look at students through a lens of appreciating where they currently are, we are starting on solid ground and can work up from there. Today’s episode...2022-01-0911 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMath problems with more than one answer (Part 3)Today, we’re going to wrap up our series on math problems with more than one answer. If you missed part 1 and 2, go check out episodes 121 and 123. Math problems with more than one answer give us the ability to really expand how we ask our students to engage with the problems themselves, and with each other. In particular, they give us an opportunity to allow students to work on Math Practice Standard #3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Today’s podcast episode explores why that's so important and gives example problems.2022-01-0211 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastEpisode 123 - Math Problems with More Than One Answer (Part 2)A couple weeks ago I talked about how 26 ÷ 6 can have multiple answers. This week, I’m back for part 2 of diving deeper into the idea that math problems can have more than one answer. Specifically, we’re going to look at “Open Middle Math Problems.” Listen in for some great examples of these problems across different grade levels.2021-12-2610 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastEpisode 122 - Teaching Division with Remainders Even in The Early YearsPartitive division is typically the natural way that kids think about division and the way that most textbooks start teaching kids division. However, it only gives kids a partial understanding of division. Quotative division problems give kids a deeper understanding of division and help kids focus in on understanding the remainder in the problem. Typically, we think division is only for 3rd grade and up, but division situations come up often for kids in their life and so they naturally experience division very early on. No matter what grade level you teach, this episode will give you a better unde...2021-12-1909 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastEpisode 121 - Math Problems With More Than One Answer (Part 1)We all know that there are many ways to solve any math problem. But have you considered that there are math problems with more than one answer? While I was getting my masters degree, I learned some valuable lessons from that which I wanted to share with you today. Take a listen as I dive into why it's important to open our minds to the idea that math isn’t just about getting one correct answer.2021-12-1210 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastEpisode 120 - My Favorite Mathy Gifts for 2021As we get closer to the holidays, our time is ticking to get some great gifts for our loved ones. I’ve found all kinds of reading based gifts but sometimes, the math ones can be a little tougher to find. So, I figured I’d try to help out and share some of my favorite math-based gifts that me and my kids absolutely love. A couple of my choices may even surprise you!2021-12-0509 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastEpisode 119 - Managing Small Group WorkManaging small group work when no other adults are around to assist can be a great challenge. Especially considering the vast differences in mathematical understandings educators are experiencing in the classroom this year. So how can small group work be structured to benefit all kids in the classroom no matter where they are in their understanding? The Build Math Minds Facebook group community delivered a ton of super helpful strategies to help answer that question and I wanted to share some of those in today’s podcast episode.2021-11-2808 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMaking Thinking VisibleThinking is an active and internal process that we should intentionally help our students learn how to share. In order to encourage our kids to share their thinking, we must consider how they (and we) listen, the types of questions we ask as teachers and they ask as students, how ideas are documented, and more. In today’s episode, I get into some amazing ideas about how to get students to share their thinking processes by Making Thinking Visible.2021-11-2107 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWhy I was goneHaving your work computer break down on you is one of the worst feelings in the world. Especially, if you forgot to back up all your data. I’ve been absent for a while because that is exactly what happened to me. In this week's episode, I talk about why I’ve been gone for a little bit and why it is of paramount importance to make sure all your digitally stored work is backed up.2021-11-1404 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastStop Teaching StrategiesI want all kids to have different strategies at their disposal to solve math problems. However, the way our textbooks have us teach them to kids is overwhelming and confuses kids. This episode is a clip from a webinar I did recently about The Missing Piece to Elementary Fact Fluency and part of the issue is that we are directly teaching kids so many strategies when instead we need to help kids develop them on their own. If you want help with how to do that in your classroom, come join my online PD courses: Th...2021-10-1007 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastHelping Kids Make Connections in Mathematics with Kelly RogersIn this week’s podcast, we discuss a lot of different topics with Kelly Rogers, a 3rd grade teacher, who shares about building a love of math even during a pandemic. Go here to get links to resources mentioned: buildmathminds.com/1152021-10-0316 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastMisconceptions about developing Fact FluencyRecently I did a video over on my vlog about A Big Mistake Educators Make When Building Math Fluency. The mistake is that we directly teach students strategies. Then I was looking through the book Putting Essential Understanding of Addition and Subtraction into Practice in PreK-Grade 2, I came across a section that described a lot of what I was trying to convey in my video just in a different way. Now, I know this is from a PreK-Grade 2 book, but if you are an upper elementary teacher, as I read this section, think about how t...2021-09-2607 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastKnowledge Needed for Teaching MathematicsIn this week’s podcast, I’m sharing the story of the single thought that was running through my head as I sat through Pre-Calculus so that I could get a math endorsement added to my elementary ed teaching license: “how in the heck is this supposed to make me a better 6th grade teacher?!?!?”2021-09-1908 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastTypes of Activities that Build Math FluencyThe final step towards building your students’ fluency is deciding HOW you are going to implement these ideas into your classroom. I am not going to detail out exactly how you should do that. That’s not what I believe we should do for teachers just like I don’t believe that’s what we should do for our students in math. We should NOT make everyone do it the same way. Every classroom is filled with kids of varying needs and abilities. Every classroom has a teacher with their own teaching style. So what works for one classroom will not...2021-09-1206 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastFluency is the By-Product of FlexibilityTypically on this podcast I share things that other people have written because I want to encourage you to go learn from the original sources that I have learned from. But today I want to share something I wrote with you. Fluency is a big focus of mine, so much so that I have full online PD courses that I’ve created for teachers to learn how we build students’ fluency. How we build it is actually through building students’ flexibility...that’s why I called my courses The Flexibility Formula. To help elementary educators get starte...2021-09-0505 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastResponses About The Use of AND in MathLast week, I shared that I was Wondering About The Use of the word AND in Math. For example, how do you say the number 45? Do you say “forty-five” or “forty AND five”? Today, I’m sharing some of the responses I got. Go to buildmathminds.com/110 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.2021-08-2210 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastWondering About The Use of AND in MathAs a Recovering Traditionalist I want you to know that I don’t have it all figured out and it’s okay that you don’t either. I’m still refining my understanding and teaching and it’s been over 17 years I’ve been working on changing my teaching. So I’m going to start doing a different type of podcast episode every once in a while. I’m calling them my ‘wonderings.’ So today I’m Wondering About The Use of the word ‘AND’ in Math. buildmathminds.com/1092021-08-1506 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastCreating More Wonder, Joy & Beauty in MathWe are wrapping up the 2021 Virtual Math Summit here. In fact, the day this podcast gets released is the last day of free access to all the sessions. After today they are only available inside the Build Math Minds PD site for members to watch (go here to enroll: https://buildmathminds.com/bmm). One benefit members get is access to a session I did only for BMM members and VIP attendees of the summit, but on today’s podcast you are getting a snippet from that session that I hope inspires you to create more wonder, joy, and beauty in ma...2021-08-0808 minThe Build Math Minds PodcastCGI MathIn this week’s episode, we are talking about CGI Math which stands for Cognitively Guided Instruction. Cognitively Guided Instruction helps us learn how to facilitate the development of kids’ math understanding by listening first, then making instructional decisions based upon what you hear. Go to buildmathminds.com/107 to get links to any resources mentioned in this episode.2021-08-0106 min
Making Math Moments That Matter#44 - Building Math Minds: An Interview with Christina TondevoldToday we speak with the recovering traditionalist Christina Tondevold. Christina previously taught mathematics traditionally much like we did and Now she gets to work with teachers in developing students’ mathematical understandings in ways that are not limited by the traditional ways of doing and teaching mathematics through her site BuildMathMinds.com where you can get PD in Your PJs. Stick with us as we learn What is number sense and why is it so important, What are the 4 early numeracy concepts that all teachers should know and understand how to teach? What are the 4 number relationships? And fin...2019-09-301h 15