Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers
The Modern Math Teacher helps you make math class the best part of your 6-12 students' day. Join Kristen Moore for quick, real-talk episodes on Project Based Learning, student-centered teaching strategies, AI and technology inspired lesson planning and boosting student engagement—without burning out.
New episodes every Tuesday.
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Episodes
180 episodes
179 Why Support Doesn't Lower Rigor in Math Class
Struggle Is Learning. Drowning Is Not.One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that not all struggle is productive.As math teachers, we want students to wrestle with ideas, persevere through ch...
178 Should Honors Math Be Different? Here's What I'm Wrestling With
What I'm Still Figuring Out About Teaching Honors MathAfter more than 15 years in the classroom, I'm about to do something new:Teach Honors Algebra 2 and Grade-Level Algebra 2 at the same time....
177 The Best Technology in Math Class Isn't Always New Technology
Are we using technology because it improves learning—or because it's available?After reflecting on student engagement, Chromebook fatigue, and intentional lesson design, I've been rethinking how technology fits into my math cla...
176 The Digital Delusion: Why I'm Rethinking Technology in Math Class
Technology isn't going away.But that doesn't mean we should use it for everything.After years of integrating digital tools into my math classroom, I've found myself asking a different question:👉 Not ...
175 Why Every Math Teacher Should Study Above and Below Their Grade Level
One of the best things that ever happened to me as a math teacher was teaching multiple grade levels.Because the more I taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and intervention classes together… the more I realized:👉 Math...
174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher
Can I admit something?There are math concepts I taught for years that I didn’t fully understand conceptually myself.I could teach the procedure. I could explain the steps. But true sense-making? That took time.
173 Why Teaching the Same Lesson Five Times Never Actually Works
Ever had one class LOVE a lesson… and another class completely flop with the exact same activity?Same teacher. Same lesson. Same day.This year completely changed the way I think about differentiation, resp...
172 Why I Stopped Winging It as a Math Teacher This Year
This year changed the way I think about teaching math.Between piloting a new curriculum, beginning National Board Certification, and teaching students with very different needs, I realized something important:👉 Knowing math...
171 Turn Any Math Lesson Into a Real-World Experience (In About 15 Minutes)
Ever feel like your math lessons are… fine, but not really connecting?You’re covering the content, following the curriculum—but students aren’t fully engaged.In this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable process to ...
170 You Don’t Have Time for This… Or Do You? (3 Biggest Myths About Real-World Math)
Think you don’t have time for projects? Feel stuck with your curriculum? Worried your students can’t handle it?Let’s talk about it.In this episode, we’re breaking down the 3 biggest myths about real...
169 You Don’t Need a Full PBL Unit—Start With This Instead
Think you need a full project-based learning unit to bring real-world math into your classroom?You don’t.In this episode, we’re breaking down how to start with smaller, meaningful project experiences—without overh...
168 Why Most Math Projects Don’t Work (And How to Fix Them
Ever tried a math project that should have worked… but didn’t?Maybe students were off task, confused, or the math just didn’t stick.👉 You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re br...
What Actually Makes a Math Lesson “Real-World”? (It’s Not What You Think)
Most “real-world math” problems don’t actually feel real to students.In this episode, we break down what real-world math really means—and how to make small shifts that help students actually connect to what they’re learning.
The Difference Between Fun Math and Meaningful Math
Not all engagement leads to learning.In this episode, we break down the difference between fun math and meaningful math—and how to start designing lessons that actually stick.In This Episode:Why “fun”...
165 Why Students Keep Asking “When Will I Ever Use This?” (And What That’s Really Telling You)
When students ask this question, it’s not about attitude.👉 It’s about relevance.In this episode, we break down what students are really asking—and how to start making math feel more meaningful without redesigning you...
164 You’re Not Boring—Your Math Lessons Might Be
If your students feel disengaged during math class… it’s probably not you.👉 It’s the lesson design.In this episode, we break down why students check out—and why trying to be more “fun” isn’t the fix. Instead, we’re s...
#163 What AI Is Revealing About Our Classrooms (And Why Students Are Using It)
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday classroom life—but the real conversation may be bigger than whether students should be using it.Students using AI isn’t the real story.The real story is...
162 AI Feedback That Actually Reaches Students (Before It's Too Late)
You spend the time grading. You write the comments. And then students look at the grade and move on. Sound familiar?In this episode, Kristen tackles two of the biggest feedback problems math teachers face: feedback that comes too ...
161 Lesson Plan AI: What Teachers need and What We Don't
Lesson plan AI is everywhere — but is it actually helping teachers?In this episode, we explore what teachers truly need from AI lesson plan generators and why many educational technology trends miss the mark. You’ll learn how AI c...
160 How Can AI Be Used in Education Without Killing Thinking?
How can AI be used in education without killing thinking?In this episode, we explore how teachers can use AI education tools responsibly — without replacing productive struggle or meaningful learning. You’ll learn how AI can...
#159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement
What if 10 million students could tell us what keeps them engaged in math — and what pushes them away?In this episode, I sit down with veteran educator Sheila Robitaille (30 years in classrooms and administration across the U.S...
158 Effective Math Teaching Strategies: What Comes After Productive Struggle?
Productive struggle is an essential part of effective math teaching strategies, but it only works when teachers plan intentionally for what comes next.In this episode, we explore instructional teaching strategies that help student...
157 Productive Math Struggle in Practice: A Conversation with John SanGiovanni
In this special capstone episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by John SanGiovanni, co-author of Productive Math Struggle, for a reflective conversation on what productive struggle looks like in real cla...
156 Student Reflection Activities That Makes Struggle Stick
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 6: Reflecting on Productive StruggleIn the final episode of our Productive Math Struggle series, we explore the power of reflection — the often-missing piece that transforms struggle into lasting ...
155 Teaching Strategies to Support Productive Struggle in Real Time
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 5In Part 5 of our Productive Math Struggle Series, we shift from planning to real-time classroom action: What do you actually do when students struggle?Instead of panicking, rescui...