Jon Orr - Podcast Details

Shows

Making Math Moments That Matter “We Want Number Sense and Fluency”—So Why Are You Skipping Data?Why does data always feel like the thing we don’t have time for in math?Teachers and leaders say they want students who can think critically, reason mathematically, and engage with real-world problems. But when time gets tight, data is often the first strand to go—seen as extra, wishy-washy, or disconnected from “real math.” In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman challenge that thinking and argue that data isn’t competing with number sense—it’s one of the most powerful ways to build it.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why data is ofte...

2026-02-2318 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Your Math Results Are Stagnant: Why Improvement Keeps StallingEvery year, schools and districts roll out a new math improvement plan. The language sounds right: teacher voice, coherence, sustainability, research-based practice. But the results don’t change. New curriculum is dropped with little support. Big goals are set without the conditions to meet them. Top-down decisions are labeled collaboration. In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman name the uncomfortable truth behind stalled improvement: when what leaders say doesn’t match what their system is designed to do, trust erodes—and progress stops.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why most math improvement plans are recycled...

2026-02-1622 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Lessons Teachers & Leaders Need To Learn About Coaching Math in 2026You’ve spent thousands on high-quality math curriculum and inspiring PD — yet instructional practices barely shift. Why?In this episode, Jon Orr tackles the elephant in the room: why good PD still fails to create consistent math instruction. It’s not a teacher problem — it’s a system design problem. Backed by research and real district stories, Jon shows why instructional coaching is the missing link between professional learning and lasting classroom change.Listeners will learn:Why most math PD fails to stick — even when it’s high qualityWhat research says about the hours needed for las...

2026-01-1214 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Rest, Reflection & Math Leadership Wins – A Holiday Message from the MMM TeamFeeling behind? Tired? Wondering if your math improvement efforts are making a difference?In this episode released on Christmas Day, Jon Orr shares a message just for you—educators, coaches, and leaders doing the slow, often invisible work of math improvement. No training, no strategies—just honest reflection and a reminder that you are not alone.You’ll hear a different lens on what progress looks like—one that recognizes the quiet wins:A teacher asking better math questions than last yearA PLC focusing on student thinking, not just pacingA shift from “What resource should we...

2025-12-2508 min

Making Math Moments That Matter I Taught It… So Why Don’t They Remember?? Tackling Retention in Math From the District Office to the ClassroomYou poured your heart into teaching a key math concept—and a student tells you they’ve never even heard of it. Sound familiar?In this episode, hosts Yvette Lehman and Jon Orr explore one of the most frustrating challenges in math instruction: retention. Why does it feel like students forget everything they’ve learned? And more importantly, what can we actually do about it? Through the lens of a school we support, we dig into one team’s evolving plan to increase student retention—without overhauling their entire curriculum. Spoiler: it starts with strategic spiraling, cumulative assessment...

2025-12-1517 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How to Define The Right Milestones That Drive Math ImprovementIn this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman unpack the difference between long-term objectives and short-term key results. Through a real coaching conversation, they explore how to define milestones that reflect real progress—even when the win is simply establishing a structure or doing what you said you’d do. Not all results have impact right away—and that’s okay.In this episode, you’ll discover:The difference between long-term objectives and short-term key resultsWhy short-term wins are sometimes structural—not just outcome-basedHow to define key results that align with your bigger goalsWhy documenting action (not just out...

2025-07-3122 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How We Boosted Math Scores in High School Without Homework or High-Stakes TestsWhat happens when two math teachers throw out homework, redefine grading and assessment, and make student growth the heart of every math lesson?Too many classrooms are dominated by points, pressure, and compliance. But what if your students actually chased learning—without sacrificing test scores or accountability? In this episode, Keenan Clark and Jake Towers join Jon Orr to reveal how they transformed their math classrooms by replacing traditional grading and homework with a feedback-rich, skills-based assessment system. The result? More engagement, better relationships, and soaring standardized test results.Listen in to discover:How el...

2025-05-1944 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Avoiding The Trap of Algorithms in Math - An Interview with Pam Harris from Math Is FigureoutableAre we teaching students fake math — and missing the chance to build real mathematical thinkers?If you've ever felt frustrated that your students are following procedures without true understanding — or wondered why some students seem "mathy" while others struggle — this conversation with math is figureoutable’s Pam Harris will open your eyes. Together with Jon Orr, Pam Harris uncovers the hidden traps in traditional math teaching that reinforce shallow learning, and she shares how rethinking what mathing really means can transform both teachers and students.By tuning into this episode, you'll discover:Why many algorith...

2025-05-0539 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Convert Math PD Into Classroom ActionAs a K-12 math coordinator, coach, leader are you constantly collecting resources, leading PD, and chasing the next big idea—only to wonder if any of it is actually changing classroom practice?If you're a math coach, coordinator, or administrator who feels stuck in a loop of sharing best practices without seeing those practices transferred consistently into the classroom, this episode dives into the heart of that struggle. Kyle Pearce, Yvette Lehman, and Jon Orr confront a challenge many leaders face: how to balance continuous learning with focused implementation. When every new initiative feels urgent, how do yo...

2025-05-0125 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How Shifting Assessment Practices in Math Is Your Gateway To Improved Achievement | Math Assessment Coaching & TrainingNot sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Are your teachers’ math assessments helping students grow as learners or are they hindering student achievement? In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman dive into the role of assessment in math education and how a shift in assessment practices can create a class...

2024-11-2126 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Math Retention Struggles Grades 6 to 12: Here’s Why and How To Fix ItAre you struggling with your student’s math retention or maybe you’re struggling to engage students who feel disconnected from math or battle math anxiety?In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman welcome back Juliana Tapper, an expert in supporting students who struggle with math, to explore impactful ways to address student engagement and math anxiety in grades 6-12. Drawing on insights from her new book and 2024 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit Session, Juliana shares practical strategies for educators dealing with retention issues and lack of student motivation.Discover brain science behind math anxiety and...

2024-11-1831 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Prune to Thrive: Why Doing Less Can Strengthen Your Math Program | Effective Mathematics Coaching and TrainingNot sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://growyourmathprogram.com Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. http://makemathmoments.com/discovery/ Are you struggling to make a real impact in your math program, constantly adding new initiatives but not seeing the results you hoped for?In this video, Jon Orr dives into the idea of "doing less" by focusing on what truly matters in K...

2024-11-1406 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Why Early Math Matters & How All Grade Level Teachers Need to Hear This: An Interview with Sue LooneyHow can we blend curiosity, deep understanding of the stages of counting to transform early math learning?In this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter podcast, Sue Looney joins hosts Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr to share her personal journey and highlights the importance of curiosity-driven learning, especially in early childhood mathematics. Many educators face the challenge of moving beyond rote memorization, especially when teaching foundational concepts like counting. This episode addresses how understanding the stages of counting and fostering curiosity can set the stage for future mathematical success.Whether you're an...

2024-10-2830 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Choose A Core Math Curriculum Resource For Your School | District’s Math ProgramNot sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://growyourmathprogram.com Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. http://makemathmoments.com/discovery/ Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsStruggling to select the perfect math curriculum for your school?Selecting a core resource or curriculum for your math program is no small task. It ca...

2024-10-1719 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Are Your Priorities Backwards In Your Math Classroom or Across Your District?It’s likely that you as a math teacher or even your K-12 district may have been focusing on the wrong things when striving for improvement in mathematics. In this episode, Jon and Kyle dive into a common challenge many educators face: the misalignment of priorities in the math classroom. They discuss how shifting the focus from specific resources to overarching student outcomes can create a more cohesive and effective teaching strategy to improve math outcomes.You’ll learn: Learn how to refocus your teaching methods to prioritize student outcomes over tools and re...

2024-07-0818 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How to Use Portfolios in a Math Classroom: Is It Worth It? - A Math Mentoring MomentIn this episode of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Seth Boschen as he embarks on a new role leading a team of teachers in his math department. Faced with the challenge of implementing standards-based grading and integrating portfolios into his classes, Seth shares his insights and experiences that will resonate with any educator looking to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Kyle and Jon bring their wealth of knowledge to the table, offering Seth practical advice on making the most out of limited class time, pr...

2024-07-0141 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Rethinking Math: Conrad Wolfram on Revolutionizing Education for the Digital AgeEver wondered why traditional math education might be holding back our true potential to understand and use mathematics effectively?Conrad Wolfram, strategic director of Wolfram Research and a prominent advocate for transforming math education, joins Jon and Kyle in this episode to explore revolutionary approaches to teaching math. With a fascinating journey from a math and physics enthusiast to a leader in computation software, Conrad sheds light on how our current education system may not be equipping students for the real-world challenges that await them in a technology-driven environment.What you’ll learn:...

2024-06-0354 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How Can I Battle My Insecurities When Teaching Through Tasks & Problem Based Math Lessons - A Math Mentoring MomentHow can you transform your middle school classroom with problem-based lessons while overcoming personal insecurities and teaching doubts?In this mentoring moment episode we speak with Joanne Ward, a middle school teacher from Taipei Taiwan who is tackling a common challenge faced by educators: the uncertainty and lack of confidence in implementing problem-based lessons. Stick around and you’ll learn practical strategies to boost confidence in teaching with problem-based lessons. You’ll also learn a comprehensive understanding of the “real flipped classroom” concept, enabling structured and effective problem-based learning that captivates and educates your stude...

2024-03-1139 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Consolidate & Close Your Building Thinking Classroom Lesson [Part 2]As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures. While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand. Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins. Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and Kyle Pearce from the opening session of the 2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit as the...

2024-02-1231 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Consolidate & Close Your Building Thinking Classroom Lesson [Part 1]As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures. While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand. Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins. Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and Kyle Pearce from the opening session of the 2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit as the...

2024-01-2935 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Setting & Changing Your Goals - Discover What Matters Most!Are you on track to hit the goals you set out for yourself, your school, your district? It’s December, which often marks the half-way point of the school year and also a great time to check your progress on your program’s action plan. It’s quite likely that the busy-ness of school has taken you away from your intended focus on what really matters in your school or district’s math program. In this episode Kyle and Jon share why we need to define our objectives (Rocks) and how to stay focused when there are...

2023-12-0432 min

Canadian Wealth Secrets Invested Teacher Deals UpdateIn our latest episode, Jon Orr and Kyle Pearce take some time to discuss some of what wealth building and investment opportunities have been keeping them busy. Tune in to hear our journey to expand your investment horizons and refine your decision-making skills. Explore an intriguing concept shared by Kyle for those who hold shares of private corporations and discover the art of recognizing when to put a deal in the "too hard bin." We provide insights into understanding your margin of safety and why what's a good investment for one person might not b...

2023-10-0437 min

Canadian Wealth Secrets How to Work With Your Instincts and Not Against ThemWe all know there are certain tasks that we gravitate towards and others that we tend to shy away from. However, what if we told you that there are many activities that you are doing on a daily basis that give you energy, while many others that are draining you of that energy? In this episode, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr will take a deep dive into learning what drives you and what drains you through Kathy Kolbe’s Instinct Test called the Kolbe-A Test. Learn why Kyle’s perfect Kolbe Number of 8-3-7-3...

2023-09-2031 min

Making Math Moments That Matter From Labels to Growth: A Game-Changing Approach to Math AssessmentIn our recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Jonathan Lind again. Jonathan is an experienced high school math teacher currently teaching at an American school in Qatar. Jonathan shared invaluable insights and practical strategies on how he transformed his assessment practices in his math class, leading to remarkable outcomes for his students.During our conversation, Jonathan delved into the following key ideas:Shifting from labeling students to using assessment for growth;Time-saving curriculum coverage with standards-based grading;Promoting student success through growth and proficiency...

2023-06-0555 min

Making Math Moments That Matter 3 Act Math Tasks Aren’t WorkingMaybe you’ve recently come across the idea of a Dan Meyer-style 3 Act Math Task and you’re intrigued to give one a shot with hopes to engage your students and help better understand the mathematics you’re teaching. Or, maybe you’ve used 3 Act Math Tasks and use them as a regular routine in your mathematics program. While there are many mathematics teachers out there who love a great 3 Act Math Task, the reality is that there are many more educators out there who have given one a shot and decid...

2023-04-0348 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How Building a Thinking Classroom Can Make Math MomentsHow can we build thinking classrooms to create memorable math moments? In this special episode we share our opening session of the 2022 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit.Join Kyle, Jon, and Peter Liljedahl as they unpack how elements of a Thinking Classroom are entwined in the Make Math Moments 3-Part Framework. You’ll Learn: How to structure your lessons so they are engaging and encourage student thinking;What classroom structures can you put together to make ever...

2023-03-2058 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Kids Are Different Now (…And What to Do About It)Do you feel that students are “different” compared to past years? Has it been a struggle to gain student attention and strengthen their work ethic? Are some of the behaviours you’re experiencing amplified? In this episode Kyle and Jon discuss their interpretation of the differences teachers are experiencing in their students and how you can use those differences to create a stronger mathematics program. Stick around and you’ll learn how to strengthen and align your classroom norms / rules so that students will flourish. Classroom Pillars are...

2023-03-1342 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Celebrating Black Voices From The Math Moment Maker CommunityIn this compilation episode of the podcast in honour of Black History Month, Kyle & Jon highlight conversations from six educators of colour that have had a significant impact on their pedagogical practices as they continue their journey to craft a more culturally responsive classroom experience for all students. You’ll hear Beatrice Moore Luchin speak about creating a culturally relevant and culturally responsive approach to teaching m athematics, Marilyn Strutchens’ approach to teaching tasks with multiple entry points; you’ll hear about the importance of learning goals from Dr. Ayanna Perry; why kindergarten math matters...

2023-02-2033 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Helping Kids With Financial Literacy [Invested Teacher Podcast]In this episode Jon and Kyle share an episode of their newest podcast Invested Teacher so you can help your students think about money. They bring on their co-host Matt Biggley to help you help your kids think about, earn, and use money that will put them on a pathway to build their own wealth. Let’s unpack common mindsets about earning and spending money, practical systems to help your kids understand the power of compound interest through routine activities, and what lessons can be helpful to emerge the big ideas around what Einstein ref...

2023-02-1356 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How Much Homework Should I Assign in Math Class?In this episode, Jon & Kyle discuss what role (if any) that homework should play in math class across the K-12 grade bands. Stick around as we dig into some common “rules of thumb” such as the “10 minutes of homework per day per grade” rule, what different groups and organizations are suggesting, and of course, what the research tells us. As always, we’ll be giving you some of our perspectives based on some of the opinions and research out there as well as dig into some of the strategies we’ve used over the years to help...

2022-12-1938 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How to Develop a Growth Mindset In Your Math Class - A Math Mentoring MomentIn this episode, you’ll hear a slightly different episode style as the tables are turned as Ali Melia interviews Kyle Pearce as a means to gather more research data for her Master of Teaching work at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Ali digs into questions for MathletePearce around how teachers in Ontario can effectively foster a growth mindset while assessing students in mathematics. Let the table turning begin as Ali grabs the mic, tosses Jon to the curb and digs into some really important topics by asking Kyle for his pers...

2022-12-0549 min

Making Math Moments That Matter What Math Class Can Learn From The Oblivious Viewer LoopIn this episode Jon & Kyle compare the consolidation and connection phase of your math lesson to the Oblivious Viewer Loop phenomenon in common mystery TV shows. Stick around and you’ll learn how focusing on the intentionality of your learning goal can help shape how your consolidate your lesson so that we can avoid students “missing the point” of our lesson and instead make the connection to the learning goal. You’ll Learn: What is the oblivious viewer loop why we need to consider it when teachi...

2022-11-2822 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Five Math PD Pitfalls To Avoid - Part 2In the second part of our two part series highlighting Math PD Pitfalls To Avoid, Jon & Kyle dig deeper into the weeds we often find ourselves in when trying to plan and deliver effective mathematics professional learning. In the final part of this series, we’ll unpack why professional development one-offs won’t cut it and how we can overcome a PD Paradox that can hinder our opportunity to grow as an educational community. You’ll Learn: Why math professional development one-offs won’t cut it….or...

2022-11-2137 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Five Math PD Pitfalls To Avoid in 2022-2023 - Part 1In this first part of a two part series Jon & Kyle discuss break down math PD pitfalls we should all avoid so that we can support, encourage, and build engaged educators who want to spark curiosity and fuel sense making in students. In this first part we’ll unpack how to avoid the Do As I Say Not As I Do PD sessions, how to avoid the PD Trap, and how to stop force feeding professional development. You’ll Learn: How to avoid the “Do As I Sa...

2022-10-3134 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Are Calculators Good or Bad For Math Class?In this episode Jon & Kyle discuss whether calculators are good or bad for mathematics learning.Dig in with them as they chat about their past calculator #classroomfails and how they now position their mathematics lessons to more strategically consider when and where it might be helpful for students to leverage the use of a calculator.You’ll Learn: How I can optimize my learning intentionality so that my lesson does not hinge on calculator use; What to do if you think your math less...

2022-10-1736 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Fill Your Bucket - An 2022 NCTM Annual ReflectionIn this live taping of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast Jon & Kyle visit the 2022 Annual NCTM Conference in Los Angeles. The discuss how conferences can “fill your bucket” as well as hear key takeaways from conference attendees. Stick around and you’ll learn how you too can fill your bucket. You’ll Learn: Why conferences are so much more than just learning sessions; Why mimicking is a teaching technique we should avoid; How to leverage constraints vs. freedoms; How you c...

2022-10-1025 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How Effective Math Educators Are DevelopedIn this episode Jon & Kyle discuss the importance of building both math content knowledge and pedagogical-content knowledge when designing your own or your district professional development plans. Stick around and you’ll hear their stories of how they realized they needed to be effective at both content and pedagogy so they could survive and thrive in the classroom. You’ll also learn where you can go to build and improve your own pedagogical content knowledge. You’ll Learn: The building blocks ne...

2022-09-2636 min

Making Math Moments That Matter What’s On YOUR Magic Wand Wish List For Math Class?What do you envision for mathematics teaching and learning in your math class?While we all want teachers and students to feel capable and confident each day in our mathematics classrooms, we must take time to think and reflect on what specifically would contribute to helping us reach that goal.In this episode Jon & Kyle help you to craft a Magic Wand Wish List that you can use to help shape your vision for your mathematics classroom or your school/district program. You’ll...

2022-09-1938 min

Making Math Moments That Matter What’s After The Lesson?What do I do after I finish a lesson? How does practice fit in? Do I have enough time to build conceptual understanding using a problem-based lesson AND still build fluency? In this episode Kyle and Jon share how they design lessons to meet these common “pebbles in our shoes” and while still covering the content standards. You’ll learn: How to teach through problem based lessons with intentionality;What the most important learning target for any lesson should be; How and wh...

2022-08-2949 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Create An Authentic Math ClassIn this Math Mentoring Moment Episode, we speak with Jonathan Lind, a high school math teacher currently teaching at an American school in Qatar! Over his career, he has been working to build a more authentic math classroom starting with assessment as he leverages the power of problem solving and communication..This is a Math Moment Maker Reflection episode where we talk with a member of our fantastic community who is working hard to continue reflecting and refining their practice to Make Math Moments with more students in their math classroom.

2022-06-1339 min

Making Math Moments That Matter What’s On YOUR Worksheet and How Are You Using It?In this episode Jon & Kyle outline their experience using worksheets. You’ll hear them outline different styles of worksheets while giving you insight on how to design them to maximize student thinking. You’ll learn when you should use a worksheet, what types of problems should go on the worksheet, and when you should ditch the worksheet altogether. You’ll learn: The types of problems/questions should go on your worksheet and what you should avoid; How to ensure your worksheet supports all levels of learners; How y...

2022-05-0243 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Debate Math: A Hotdog Is A SandwichIn this special episode Kyle & Jon highlight and showcase one of their favourite new podcasts: Debate Math Podcast! Recently in episode 4 of the Debate Math Podcast Jon and his daughter Lucie went head-to-head against Kyle and his daughter Taliah to debate: Is a hotdog a sandwich? In this cross-posted episode you’ll hear the two hosts of the Debate Math Podcast, Chris Luzniak and Rob Baier skillfully pose questions that prompt some insightful thinking as well causing some fits of laughter! You’ll learn: ...

2022-04-2551 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Episode 172: Avoid These Misconceptions to Teach Problem-Based Lessons With ConfidenceIn this episode, Kyle & Jon address a few common misconceptions from the Math Moment Maker community around teaching problem-based lessons and units. Stick around and you’ll hear how to find the right balance between what students know and what they need to learn in your lesson; when we should be assessing for learning; how to consolidate a problem-based lesson; and,how to manage the flow of the class when some students complete work quicker than others. You’ll learn: How to find the rig...

2022-03-1431 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Episode 169: How Do You Create A Math Moment Maker?Today the tables have turned! In this episode Jon & Kyle switch over to the other side of the interview and are put on the hot seat! Jess Michalchuk, a Grade 7 educator from Foam Lake, Saskatchewan working towards a Masters of Education, interviews Jon & Kyle about memorable math moments from their teaching experience, their thoughts on leadership and innovation in mathematics and much more!Stick around and you’ll hear stories from Kyle and Jon’s classrooms, how they got started on changing their pedagogy, and what it means to become a mat...

2022-02-211h 02

Making Math Moments That Matter Highlighting The Missing Voices In Math EducationIn this compilation episode of the podcast in honour of Black History Month, Kyle & Jon highlight six educators of colour that have had a significant impact on their pedagogical practices as they continue their journey to craft a more culturally responsive classroom experience for all students. You’ll hear from Rafranz Davis speak about diversity, Lauren Baucom’s passion towards de-tracking; Mindfulness and identity in the classroom from Christina Lincoln-Moore; the importance of catalyzing change from Robert Q. Berry; Kris Childs shares insights on access and equity in task selection; and, Jose Vilson’s ideas on...

2022-02-1439 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Decluttering Proportional Relationships - An Interview With James Tanton & Ted CoeIn this episode, Kyle and Jon speak with James Tanton, Mathematician-at-Large for the Mathematical Association of America and Founder of the Global Math Project and Ted Coe, NWEA’s Director of Content Advocacy and Design. James and Ted hop on the show today to dig into the collective work of a group of mathematics education leaders involving one of the most important yet misunderstood concepts in mathematics: Proportional Relationships.Stick around as we dig into ideas around proportionality and what we can do to help declutter this crucial middle school mat...

2022-02-0754 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Why Our Existing Resources Need To Change & How To Do It EasilyIn this episode, Jon & Kyle take a deep dive into how we can make our existing curriculum resources be it a textbook or worksheets into curious lessons that students lean in to learn. Specifically, we’ll be talking about why Sparking Curiosity is such an important part of the Make Math Moments 3-Part Framework and some strategies for the types of problems you might choose to transform. You’ll learn: Why our existing resources need to change, but should not be thrown out;Why curiosity is such a...

2022-01-1046 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Creating Thinkers Despite Time Pressure - A Math Mentoring MomentKyle and Jon speak with Tyson Banker, a senior high school teacher from Calgary, Alberta. Like many of us teachers Tyson wonders how to change his assessment routines and structures without compromising his timelines and content standards. In this chat we share with Tyson some practical ideas that we’ve implemented in our classrooms that help with Tyson’s real struggle. This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through problems of practice and together we brainstorm possible next steps and s...

2021-12-2749 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Why Your Math Lesson Keeps Coming Up ShortIn this episode, Jon & Kyle share a reason your math lesson may be coming up short and how you can fix it. Jon & Kyle share their 4 pillars of classroom norms that shape the routines and learning in their math classes and how you can create your pillars! You’ll learn: Why your math lesson might be coming up short;How co-constructing your classroom learning pillars can help with classroom management;How to prevent unproductive classroom behaviour such as excessive cell phone...

2021-12-1330 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Crafting A Hero’s Journey: The Power of Storytelling in Math ClassToday on the podcast Jon & Kyle dig into Crafting a Hero’s Journey: The Power of Storytelling in Math Class including why teaching math should be more like telling a story, what elements will help you craft a lesson that plays out like a story to spark curiosity in your students, how to get kids hooked in just like your favourite movies and books, and finally where you can go to learn more and begin crafting your own mathematics program that feels like a book you don’t want to put down.You’...

2021-11-0134 min

Making Math Moments That Matter What We’ve Learned About SpirallingJon & Kyle share insights on their journey with spiralling their math lessons over the last 8 years. They dive into what spiralling is, why you should consider this structural change in your classes, and how they changed to this model from their mostly traditional approach to math lessons. You’ll also learn what they changed along the way in their journey as well as how to get started so you can save valuable time and maximize this approach. You’ll Learn: How spiralling can help you and your student...

2021-09-0640 min

Making Math Moments That Matter When is drill and kill appropriate in my math class? - A Math Mentoring MomentWe’re speaking with David Alewine in this Math Mentoring Moment Episode. David is home-schooling his twin 6 year olds and doing a fantastic job at weaving different curriculums and resources together to reach his kids and help them with what they need most. David shares his story of how he chose to home-school, the benefits and drawbacks that he faces, and he’s seeking advice from Jon and Kyle about how and when to include “Drill and Kill” lessons! This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of...

2021-08-3055 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Teach Through Problem Based LessonsIn this episode Kyle and Jon dive deep into a problem based task and unpack it so you can make math moments every day in your classroom. You’ll Learn: The teacher moves we need to make before starting a task with our students; The elements that are necessary to build a great problem based lesson;What a problem based unit looks like over the course of 5 days; and,Where purposeful practice fits in to your lesson. Resources: https://makemat...

2021-08-1642 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180We’re back for our third installment of our How To Start The School Year Off right! In this episode Kyle and Jon share their tips and strategies on how to prepare for the coming school year from the first day all the way to the last. In episode 36 and episode 88 we’ve shared the activities you could do in the first week to build the classroom culture that is needed to fuel the thinking you want your students to do all year. In this episode we share what structural pieces you’ll need to prep...

2021-07-2649 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Your Summer Guide To GrowthIn this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast, Jon and Kyle discuss 5 Tips to Guide You to Summer Growth. These tips are great ways to take your mathematics professional development into your own hands while not interfering with all of the important aspects that go with our well deserved summer vacations: family, friends, rest and relaxation. Go ahead and hit that play button and be sure to check out the resources section to access all of the links to get you started!What you’ll learn: How to max...

2021-07-0536 min

Making Math Moments That Matter Why Diagnostics Should Drive Your Instruction - An Interview With Kat HendryToday we speak to Kat Hendry a teacher from Jon’s hometown of Kingston Ontario! Kat has shown her passion for MANY areas of mathematics education, however in particular, she’s very keen on the importance of diagnostics and descriptive feedback in math class and has been digging into why we need to focus more attention in this area. Stick around and you’ll learn: how to start your journey to implement diagnostics and descriptive feedback effectively without keeping up at night worried with overwhelm, and the 5 phases of a diagnost...

2021-04-1947 min

Making Math Moments That Matter How To Make Math Moments - A Discussion on the Unprofessional Development PodcastJon and Kyle were on the Unprofessional Development Podcast with Tudisco and Mealy discussing how to make math moments that matter. This episode is a rebroadcast of that show. You’ll Learn: How to Make Math Moments That Matter; What teachers can do to engage their students; What techniques can teachers use to fuel sense making in their students. Resources: The Unprofessional Development PodcastOriginal broadcast (https://unpro.podbean.com/e/making-math-moments-unprofessional/) The Make Math Moments Online WorkshopThe Make Math Moments Academyhttp...

2021-01-111h 10

Making Math Moments That Matter #105: How Can I Use Portfolios Without Losing My Sanity? [PART 3] - A Where Are They Now Math Mentoring MomentToday we bring back Carmen Sinatra from Richmond Hill Ontario for a 3rd time on the show. Carmen continues her chat with us about teaching during a pandemic both face-to-face and online! By sticking around you’ll hear us discuss two big struggles: how to use portfolios for assessments instead of tests without drowning, and how to manage giving out feedback so you can stay sane! This is another Where Are They Now Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through struggles and toget...

2020-11-3053 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #100: Why The 2020 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit Needs To Be On Your CalendarIn this, the 100th episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast, Jon and Kyle reflect on the past 100 “weeks” of learning and why the 2nd annual FREE 2020 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit should be on your calendar. They’ll discuss how many “listens” the podcast has had over the almost two years of weekly episode releases as well as some of the different session topics and “must attend” talks you should add to your Virtual Summit Schedule on November 7th and 8th, 2020. You’ll Learn: How many educators the podcast has impacted across the many countries yo...

2020-10-2643 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #96 : Focus & Grow - A Where Are They Now Math Mentoring Moment.In another “Where are they now?” episode series we bring back on 5th grade math teacher Matt Makuch from Victoria BC. Matt’s back to talk about the changes he made in his classroom around Vertical non-permanent surfaces, anticipating student solutions, and differentiating his instruction to meet all levels of learners in his class. This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we talk with a member of the Math Moment Maker Community who is working through struggles and together we brainstorm possible next steps and strategies to overcome them. You’ll Learn: How to help the...

2020-09-2843 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #91: 3 Things We Can Learn From Online LearningThis week, Jon and Kyle reflect on their experience teaching remotely and realize that while the experience was (and continues to be) a struggle for many, with hardship comes new learning. Stick around as we search for the silver linings that can easily go unnoticed. You’ll Learn: What distance learning has taught us about engagement; What distance learning has taught us about assessment; What distance learning has taught us about meeting students where they are; and, What we can do about it! Resources: Course: The Concept Holding Your Students Back → Register...

2020-08-2446 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #88 How To Start The School Year Off Right From A DistanceKyle and Jon share their insights on what was working and what needed improvement from their emergency remote teaching time before summer and provide suggestions on how you can start this coming school year off on the right foot. Stick around and you’ll hear how to set the stage to inspire curiosity throughout the school year; how to build trust with your students so you can create an inclusive classroom culture; and, activities that are essential for the first day of class. You’ll Learn: How to set the stage to inspire curiosity through...

2020-08-031h 03

Making Math Moments That Matter #78: How to Organize Your Course and Day-to-Day Plans - A Math Mentoring MomentIn this episode we chat with Jennifer L’Arrivee a high school science and math teacher from British Columbia. After learning about spiralling in our online workshop this past Fall, Jennifer is on a mission to implement a content organizational structure that will maximize retention and understanding in her science and math classes. Listen in as she picks our brains about best approaches to stay organized both with content standards and with classroom activities. Stick around for this mentoring moment episode where we brainstorm with Jennifer how we can be more intentional with our planning, how to org...

2020-05-2547 min

Making Math Moments That Matter COVID-19 - How to Move Forward?In this extra episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast we’re sharing a recording of our Monthly Live Q and A call with the Make Math Moments Academy members. In this live chat Jon & Kyle discuss the COVID-19 Pandemic and how it’s affecting our home-work life and the home-school life of our students. They answer questions from the community around teaching online, engaging students with math when working from home and resources that can help you do that. You’ll Learn: What should we prioritize when working from home? How can we engage o...

2020-03-2758 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #69: How Can I Get More From My Students? A Math Mentoring MomentToday we speak with a 23 year veteran teacher from Alabama; Tiffany Roddy. Tiffany joins us on this Math Mentoring Moment episode where we will explore a struggle or challenge she is working on and together we’ll brainstorm next steps to ignite her teacher moves! Stick around and you’ll learn how you can move away from the “I do, we do, you do” approach to teaching math class; how you can gain more time in your course instead of feeling like you’re always behind; and finally, we’ll dive into the two moments that are most importan...

2020-03-2350 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #57 A Year Under Our BeltsIn this last episode of 2019 Kyle and Jon share their big success for the year, dive behind the scenes on the podcast, and discuss their plans and goals for 2020. You’ll Learn: How the podcast came to be; How the podcast reaches educators worldwide; What’s the process from start to end to make a podcast; What big successes did Kyle & Jon have this year; and, What the future looks like for Make Math Moments. Resources: https://makemathmoments.com/mentor https://makemathmoments.com/webinar

2019-12-3043 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #50: How To Get High IMPACT PD FROM YOUR COUCH: The Make Math Moments Virtual SummitJoin Jon & Kyle in this episode while they share why they created a math PD virtual summit, how it works, and why you NEED to register. Listen in as they outline classroom struggles many teachers have and how the summit sessions will help minimize those struggles. You’ll Learn: How to access high impact math PD from your couch. How we can bring curiosity, wonder and joy into the math classroom! How to solve problems without cross multiplying while learning powerful ways to help students develop efficient and sophisticated proportional reasoning strategies. How to learn, lead, and l...

2019-11-111h 04

Making Math Moments That Matter #48: Three Levels of Learning Goals - A Math Mentoring MomentThis week we chat with an eighth grade teacher in his 6th year of teaching trying to hash through resource overwhelm, assessment techniques, frameworks, and community building. In this Math Mentoring Moment episode Aseem Kelly shares with us the three levels of learning goals in math class, how to choose the best resources for your students, and how to narrow your focus so that your students can succeed. You’ll Learn: How to choose the best resources for your students; How to narrow your focus so that your students can succeed. How to avoid...

2019-10-281h 02

Making Math Moments That Matter #26 How To Overcome A Common Math Myth From K Through CollegeIn this episode you’ll get to spend some time with Jon and I as we share the story of a recent school walk-through that we participated in recently while attending a conference. The story leads into a common math teaching myth about how we prepare our students for the next grade level. Show Notes: https://makemathmoments.com/episode26 Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the b...

2019-05-2757 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #22: Common Math Class Challenges and How We Can Overcome Them.In this Jon & Kyle only episode we’ll introduce math classroom challenges that we’ve heard from educators we’ve talked to in person, educators that have emailed us, and also Math Moment Makers who filled out filled out some of of our surveys and how we can work toward fixing those challenges. You’ll Learn: What can we do when not all our students are engaging in our activities. How we can ensure students stay focused in a Thinking Classroom. How we can use assessments to push learning forward. How to ensure the technical aspects of prese...

2019-04-2957 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #12 How Do I Make Memorable Math Moments AND Cover The Curriculum?In episode 12 Jon & Kyle address questions like: how to create a collaborative approach to teaching math AND cover curriculum standards? How to build resilient problem solver? How do I decide to adjust my unit plans when not all students have made connections during my lesson? They walk you through what planning looks like before a lesson, during a lesson, and after a lesson to ensure we cover our curriculum while making math moments that matter. Show Notes: http://makemathmoments.com/episode12 Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are...

2019-02-1850 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #7: Routines, Curiosity, and Assessment: A Math Mentoring Moment with Sarah-Jane WellsIn episode 7, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr talk with Making Math Moments That Matter online workshop participant, Sarah-Jane Wells about realizing her personal privilege has affected her teaching habits, how she’s been working on Sparking curiosity consistently to get kids engaged and keep them on task… and a BIG can of worms was opened when the conversation moved into assessment, evaluation and the role of descriptive feedback. Show notes page http://makemathmoments.com/episode7 You’ll Learn: How to realize your own privilege and how that affects the classroom. How to teach y...

2019-01-141h 16

Making Math Moments That Matter #4: 3 Moves That Ignite Teacher ActionIn this episode, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr share 3 moves to ignite TEACHER action in the classroom so you can spark curiosity and fuel sense making in your students. We outline how we’ve used these moves in our classrooms to make significant learning gains with our students and give you valuable tips on so you can incorporate these moves regularly classroom. Specifically, you’ll learn: Why planning with each move is valuable to you and your students. How to use what you see and hear in your classroom to help plan your next lesson...

2018-12-241h 06

Making Math Moments That Matter #3: Fuel Sense Making With Our 4 Go-To ToolsJoin Kyle Pearce from TapIntoTeenMinds.com and Jon Orr from MrOrr-IsAGeek.com as they take a dive into the Making Math Moments That Matter 3-Part Framework! In episode 3, they unpack 4 “Go-To” Tools for Fuelling Sense Making in math class. What are you waiting for? Fire up the episode! Looking for resources from this episode? Check out the show notes here: http://makemathmoments.com/episode3 Want to take a deeper dive into the 3-part framework? Check out the FREE 4-Part Video Series here: http://makemathmoments.com/lesson1Love t...

2018-12-1559 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #2: Sparking Curiosity With The Curiosity PathJoin Kyle Pearce from TapIntoTeenMinds.com and Jon Orr from MrOrr-IsAGeek.com as they take a dive into the Making Math Moments That Matter 3-Part Framework! In episode 2, they dive into the first part: Sparking Curiosity and highlight one of their favourite curiosity sparking strategies called the Curiosity Path. What are you waiting for? Fire up the episode! Looking for resources from this episode? Check out the show notes here: http://makemathmoments.com/episode2 Want to take a deeper dive into the 3-part framework? Check out...

2018-12-1551 min

Making Math Moments That Matter #1: Welcome To The Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast!Wondering how to create a classroom culture where students don't want to stop exploring mathematics when the bell rings? Join Kyle Pearce from TapIntoTeenMinds.com and Jon Orr from MrOrr-IsAGeek.com as they team up for EPISODE #1 to uncover how we can Make Math Moments That Matter for every student in the math classroom from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Discover how you can build easy to plan and fun to deliver math lessons that kids will not only love, but also learn from using the Making Math Moments That Matter 3-Part Framework. Get ready to learn as we interview math...

2018-12-1538 min