Math Chat
Mona, of Mona Math, reveals the mysteries of how to teach elementary math even if you aren't a math person. Discover how you can develop a buzzing student led math classroom. We cover all things math identity, classroom culture, and student centered instructional practices to help you empower students to love and understanding math deeply.
Episodes
200 episodes
182: What Matters Most in Math Classrooms? With John SanGioVanni
Math education is changing fast — and few people are leading that change more thoughtfully than John SanGiovanni, a math educator, district leader, and author of numerous influential books. In this episode of our math education podcas...
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Episode 182
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29:03
181: Book Launch Day - A Classroom of Problem Solvers Starts Here
It’s here — the Word Problem Workshop book is officially out in the world! Every teacher knows the struggle — students disengaged, confused, or quick to say, “I’m not a math person.” This book was born out of that challenge...
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Episode 181
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8:03
180: Kassia - Behind the Dedication - My Editor’s Behind-the-Scenes Thoughts at Shaping the Book
In this special episode of Math Chat, we sit down with Kassia, the brilliant editor who played an instrumental role in shaping the Word Problem Workshop book. With her keen eye and unwavering support, Kassia helped turn ideas ...
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Episode 180
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22:40
179: Behind the Scenes of Writing Word Problem Workshop
So, I’m sitting here with my coffee, reflecting on how surreal it feels that Word Problem Workshop is finally a real book — something teachers can actually hold in their hands. Before it hits shelves, I wanted to take you behind the sc...
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Episode 179
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24:35
178: Mark Golden - Behind the Dedication - Hot Takes From a Teacher Who’s Lived WPW for Years
Imagine walking into a classroom where math doesn’t just happen on the board, but is a lively conversation in every corner. Mark Golden’s math classroom, especially during Word Problem Workshop (WPW), is where students actively engage, ask ques...
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Episode 178
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26:22
177: Word Problem Workshop - Planning
In this episode of Math Chat, we dive deep into planning for Word Problem Workshop (WPW) and how to maximize your preparation time. Instead of focusing on what students will do, we’re shifting the focus to how students will en...
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Episode 177
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10:48
176: Amanda - Behind the Dedication - How Doing Hard Things Grows Math Understanding and Confidence
In this episode of Math Chat, we welcome Amanda, a teacher who has completely transformed her math instruction through Word Problem Workshop (WPW). Together, we dive into the powerful shifts she’s made in her teaching practice, and how...
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Episode 176
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30:05
175: Step 5 Word Problem Workshop - Reflect
In this episode, we dive into the power of reflection in the Word Problem Workshop (WPW). If you're an educator seeking to enhance student learning through meaningful discussions, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how addin...
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Episode 175
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9:14
174: Meghan Princehorn - Behind the Dedication - The Gift of Building Classroom Communities Where Every Child Belongs
In this episode, we sit down with Meghan Princehorn, a school social worker, to talk about the powerful connection between social emotional skills and success in the classroom—especially in math. Meghan shares insights from nearly two de...
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Episode 174
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31:47
173: Step 4 Word Problem Workshop - Discuss
Talking is my thing—I love it! But in the classroom, I’ve learned it’s not just about giving students time to talk. It’s about teaching them how to discuss math in ways that deepen understanding, build confidence, and move learning forwa...
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Episode 173
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15:30
172: Ed Spicer - Behind the Dedication - How One Classroom Opened my Eyes to the Genius Children Carry
What does it really take to create a classroom where students not only learn math but also trust themselves, their peers, and their teacher? In this episode, I sit down with educator Ed Spicer to talk about building a math classroom comm...
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Episode 172
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33:03
171: Step 3 Word Problem Workshop - Share
Does your math class feel like only a handful of students ever raise their hands while the rest stay silent? Or maybe your students avoid sharing out of fear of being wrong? You’re not alone—many teachers face this challenge. In today’s episode...
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Episode 171
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10:14
170: Jimmy - Behind the Dedication - A Real Teacher’s Story of How WPW Shifted Learning in his Classroom
What happens when we stop teaching math as a set of steps to memorize and instead create space for students to explore, question, and discover? In this episode, we dig into how shifting our approach to math instruction can transform classrooms—...
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Episode 170
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26:15
169: Step 2 Word Problem Workshop - Grapple
We’ve all heard about the importance of productive struggle in math—but what does it actually look like in practice? In this episode, I share why Grapple Time is one of the most powerful parts of Word Problem Workshop, how to prepare stu...
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Episode 169
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18:40
168: Step 1 Word Problem Workshop - Launch
It’s a common belief: “My students can’t read, so they need to master simple math first before tackling word problems.” But what if this thinking is actually holding students back? In this episode, we challenge the unproductive idea th...
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13:42
167: Go Slow to Go Fast - How Word Problem Workshop Transforms Math Proficiency
You’ve probably heard the saying “Go slow to go fast” — but what does that actually look like in a math classroom? In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges teachers face: balancing the pacing guide with the reality of diver...
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Episode 167
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23:16
166: Kickstarting Problem Solving from Day One
It’s back-to-school season, and if you’re running on caffeine and sheer willpower, this episode is for you. The copy machine is acting up, your prep time is shrinking, and yet—you’re slowly building something amazing with your new class. <...
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Episode 166
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20:55
165: Changing the ‘I’m Bad at Math’ Mindset—One Task at a Time
If you’ve ever had a student say, “I’m just not a math person”, you know how powerful that belief can be. Math identity—how students see themselves in relation to math—can either open the door to learning or slam it shut. In thi...
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Episode 165
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17:32
164: Classroom Routines Made Easy
Starting the school year can feel overwhelming—but what if teaching routines didn’t have to be boring? In this episode, I’m showing you how to set up essential classroom routines and build a strong classroom community right from day on...
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Episode 164
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16:25
163: Student Led & Self–Regulated (3 Management Tips Inside)
If your math block feels more like crowd control than joyful problem solving, this episode is for you. We’re talking about how proactive math classroom management strategies can help you stop reacting to behavior and start building a smo...
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14:47
162: More Isn’t the Answer
Have you ever felt like every new math strategy or program is just more to juggle? From colorful problem-solving cards to trendy new resources, it's easy to feel like you're constantly adding to your plate — without seeing deeper learn...
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Episode 162
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8:17
161: Vanessa - The Math GuRu
What do horoscopes and homework have in common? More than you think—especially in the world of inclusive math education. In this episode, Mona sits down with Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru, to talk about smashing ste...
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Episode 161
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22:31
160: The Math Block — A Mindset Shift for Fitting It All In
Have you ever stared at your lesson plans, pacing guide, and testing calendar and wondered: How am I supposed to fit all of this in? If so, this episode was made for you. Host Mona Iehl, math coach and creator of Word Problem...
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10:34
159: One Problem, Many Levels - How to Differentiate Without 5 Versions of the Lesson
If you're trying to reach every student by creating multiple versions of your math lesson—this episode is for you. Host Mona Iehl, math coach and creator of Word Problem Workshop, shows you how to differentiate effectively without...
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Episode 159
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16:47