Advertise on podcast: Making Math Moments That Matter

What does fact fluency actually mean in your school? If you asked five teachers, would you get five different answers?  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Dr. Nicki Newton explore why fact fluency is bigger than a classroom strategy. They unpack what fluency really means, why timing matters, and what changes when schools treat fact fluency as a coherent, long-term system priority.  In this episode, you'll explore: What efficiency, flexibility, and accuracy with understanding really mean for fact fluencyWhy instant recall can be a goal without making timed tests the starting pointWhy fact fluency needs to be approached as a system-wide priorityHow differentiated practice can better meet students where they areWhy public displays of students' math fact performance can do more harm than goodHow data conversations can shift from identifying what's “wrong” with students to examining instructionWhy schools need to interrogate the practices they've inherited around math factsHow leaders, coaches, teachers, students, and families can contribute to a coherent fluency approach Start by uncovering your school's current fluency story. What do you believe about fact fluency? What practices have become routine, and why? Then ask whether those practices are actually producing the outcomes you want for students.  Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

What do you fundamentally believe about how students learn mathematics? More importantly, do the everyday experiences in your classroom actually reflect those beliefs? K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman revisit four classroom pillars—growth, curiosity, collaboration, and struggle—and ask whether they still hold up years later. They explore what happens when beliefs become more than words and begin shaping assessment, instruction, expectations, and every interaction students experience.  In this episode, you'll explore: Why every math teacher should identify the beliefs they won't waver fromHow classroom pillars connect beliefs to everyday instructional decisionsWhy saying you value growth means your assessment practices should honor growthHow curiosity, collaboration, and productive struggle shape students' mathematical experiencesWhy classroom pillars shouldn't simply become another checklistWhether practice, precision, and mathematical reasoning deserve a place among your core beliefsHow expectations for rigor can communicate a fundamental belief that students are capableHow teachers and teams can co-construct their own classroom pillarsAt your next team meeting, ask one question: What do we truly believe students should experience and get from mathematics? Identify the few ideas you aren't willing to compromise on, then look at whether your everyday practices actually bring those beliefs to life. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Monday is make a ten. Tuesday is doubles. Wednesday is doubles plus one. Add a completely different context each day, and we may be making it harder for students to see how the mathematics connects.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Graham Fletcher explore the idea of finding a through line in mathematics. They unpack how greater coherence in both context and content can help students make connections, build conceptual understanding, and access the mathematics more deeply.  In this episode, you'll explore: What a “through line” looks like in mathematicsWhy constantly changing contexts can create unnecessary barriers for studentsHow a familiar context can give students more space to focus on the mathematicsWhy variety in problem types doesn't require a new context every timeHow mathematical properties can connect strategies that often appear unrelatedWhy unitizing provides a through line from whole numbers to fractions and ratesHow understanding mathematical progressions helps teachers respond to the range of thinking in their classroomsWhat it means to become a wiser consumer of curriculum resources Look back at the last couple of weeks of your math instruction. How often did the strategy, context, and mathematical idea change? Consider where a stronger through line could help students see connections that may currently be hidden.  Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman unpack a three-day school visit and share how a K–12 team used a Math Coherence Compass, classroom observations, focused instructional moves, and short-term key results to build a sustainable math improvement plan. K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman unpack a recent three-day visit with a K–12 school working to strengthen its math improvement plan. They share how the team moved from a broad vision to classroom evidence, one focused instructional move, and short-term key results designed to build momentum.  In this episode, you'll explore: Why a shared vision needs to describe what students and teachers will actually be doingHow a Math Coherence Compass can create alignment across multiple campusesThe difference between student participation and independent mathematical thinkingHow classroom observations can reveal strengths and opportunities without becoming evaluativeWhy the team focused on student confidence, risk taking, perseverance, and curiosityHow one existing part of the curriculum became a high-leverage instructional moveWhy short-term key results can help turn a long-term goal into immediate actionHow accountability and follow-up help new practices become part of the system Look at your current math improvement goal and ask: What is one observable change we could realistically make this quarter? Get specific about the action, how you'll support it, what evidence you'll collect, and when you'll come back together to see what you're learning. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Jon Orr interviews Zak Champagne, author of Curious Kids in the Math Classroom, about practical ways to foster student curiosity through classroom community, authentic questioning, task design, and small shifts to existing math lessons. Register for free for the 2026 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Zak Champagne, author of Curious Kids in the Math Classroom, explore how small shifts in classroom practice can foster authentic curiosity. They discuss creating safe spaces, modeling genuine curiosity, using cliffhangers, and adapting the curriculum you already have.  In this episode, you'll explore: Why curiosity is something we can foster rather than forceHow repeated moments of curiosity can shape students' relationship with mathematicsWhy authentic teacher curiosity matters more than manufactured “wonder”How classroom community creates the safety students need to share unfinished ideasHow cliffhangers and uncertainty can invite students into mathematical thinkingSimple ways to adapt existing math tasks without replacing your curriculumWhy fostering curiosity is a long game, not a checklist of strategiesHow small, sustainable changes can transform classroom experiences over time Don't try to overhaul every lesson. Choose one small move that creates a little more room for students to wonder, ask questions, or explore an unfinished idea—and keep building from there. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

The math wars often focus on conceptual understanding versus traditional algorithms. Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman explore a deeper challenge: understanding the prerequisite mathematical ideas students need to access new learning. K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman explore what changes when we stop debating how math should be taught and start examining the knowledge students need to access today’s learning. Mathematics is cumulative, and those prerequisite ideas may be far more complex than the curriculum progression suggests.  In this episode, you'll explore: Why the conceptual-versus-procedural debate may be missing the bigger issueWhat it means for mathematics to be “ruthlessly cumulative”Why grade-level curriculum progressions don't always reveal true prerequisite knowledgeHow specialized content knowledge helps teachers respond to student misconceptionsWhat multiplying fractions reveals about factoring, scaling, ratios, and proportional reasoningWhy high-leverage visual models can help uncover the mathematics beneath an algorithmHow teachers can build their mathematical knowledge one concept at a timeWhy strengthening teacher capacity needs to be a long-term system priority Choose one concept you're teaching and look beneath the expectation: What does a student actually need to understand to access this idea? Try representing it with an area model, ratio table, or double number line and see what prerequisite ideas become visible. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

We want students to be curious, persistent, and resilient problem solvers. But what if those aren't qualities students simply bring into our classrooms? What if we can actually create the conditions for them to emerge?  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Peter Liljedahl – author of Building Thinking Classrooms explore the difference between states and traits and what that distinction means for teaching mathematics. Peter shares how thoughtfully designed experiences can create moments of confidence, productive struggle, and resilience—and how repeated experiences can eventually shape who students become as mathematical thinkers.  In this episode, you'll explore: The difference between a state and a traitWhy resilience isn't something students either “have” or “don't have”How repeated states can eventually develop into traitsWhy productive struggle is more likely when challenge follows successHow task sequencing can build confidence before students encounter greater challengeWhy showing students how to solve problems isn't the same as helping them become problem solversHow Building Thinking Classrooms practices can create conditions for resilienceWhy teachers have an important role in designing environments that invite different student behavioursInstead of asking, “Why aren't my students more resilient?” consider asking, “What conditions could I create that give them an opportunity to step into resilience?” We can't expect different student behaviours without creating environments that invite those behaviours. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Ever reach the end of the semester only to feel like you're reteaching everything from September? If students learned it once but can't retrieve it months later, the problem may not be the original lesson. It may be how—and when—they encountered mathematics.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr breaks down what it actually means to spiral your math curriculum and why spacing and retrieval can support longer-lasting learning. He also shares what didn't work when he first tried spiraling and offers practical ways to start without rebuilding your entire course.  In this episode, you'll explore: The difference between blocked instruction and spiralingWhy spacing and retrieval can improve long-term retentionHow blocked units can create an “illusion of understanding”Why randomly mixing lessons isn't the same as thoughtfully spiralingHow mini-units can balance developmental progression with spaced learningThree low-lift ways to begin spiraling without rebuilding your courseHow warm-ups, math talks, and lagged practice can keep previous learning aliveWhat leaders can do to create the conditions for spiraling to actually stick Choose one topic students consistently seem to forget. Instead of teaching it once and hoping it sticks, consider how you could intentionally bring it back three times this term, going a little deeper each time. Start small, build deliberately, and give students repeated opportunities to retrieve and reconnect their learning.  Show Notes Page 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

We say we want students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and mathematical reasoners. But do the systems in our classrooms and schools actually reward those things—or are we still rewarding speed, compliance, and correct answers?  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Dr. Pamela Seda explore the disconnect between the mathematics we say students need and what our systems actually value. They examine how assessment, classroom routines, walkthroughs, and professional learning can unintentionally send competing messages—and what leaders and teachers can begin changing within their control.  In this episode, you'll explore: The two competing visions of mathematical successWhy speed and correct answers don't tell us the whole story of student understandingHow classroom and school systems communicate what we truly valueWhy collecting evidence of student thinking matters more than judging an answer aloneHow formative assessment can prioritize reasoning, justification, and critical thinkingWhy standardized assessments can be treated as the floor rather than the goalHow leaders can better align what they say matters with what their systems actually rewardHow to recognize when you're operating within the “old system” so you can begin changing it Take a closer look at one system you control—your formative assessment, lesson routines, walkthrough tool, or professional learning. What does it communicate to students and teachers about what counts as success in mathematics? Recognizing the old system is the first step toward building something different. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Your math team meets regularly. You strategize, make decisions, and talk about improving mathematics. But when everyone leaves the meeting, does the work actually move forward? Too often, teams spend more energy making decisions than putting those decisions into action.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman explore why strong teams can still get stuck in cycles of discussion and consensus. They unpack how clear ownership, predictable structures, shared direction, and psychological safety can create the right balance of autonomy and accountability—so people feel confident leaving the meeting and getting to work.  In this episode, you'll explore: Why consensus can sometimes slow down math improvementHow to create greater clarity around roles, responsibilities, and ownershipThe difference between seeking input and asking permissionWhy predictable meeting structures create greater accountability between meetingsHow a Math Coherence Compass can become a filter for everyday decision-makingWhat high autonomy and high accountability can look like on a leadership teamWhy psychological safety matters when we want people to take actionHow leaders can determine whether their team has a clarity problem or a confidence problem If your team is spending more energy deciding what to do than actually doing the work, take a look at the conditions surrounding the team itself. Ask whether people know what they own, whether they have a clear framework for making decisions, and whether they feel safe enough to act without knowing they'll get everything right the first time. The goal isn't less collaboration. It's creating the clarity, autonomy, accountability, and trust that allow collaboration to lead to action. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

We’ve all heard it: “My students can do the math—they just struggle with word problems.” They can perform the calculation when it’s presented directly, but put that same mathematics inside a context or multi-step problem and suddenly things become much more difficult. The instinct might be to give students more word problems to practice, but what if the real challenge lies somewhere deeper?  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman dig into adaptive reasoning, one of the five interconnected strands of mathematical proficiency described in Adding It Up. They explore the important difference between having strategies in your mathematical toolkit and knowing when, why, and how to choose among them. From think-alouds and metacognition to mathematical discourse and varied problem contexts, the conversation looks at how we can help students become more flexible problem solvers. It also challenges us to look beyond “students can’t reason” and consider whether they have the background knowledge, task clarity, and familiarity with the context needed to demonstrate their reasoning in the first place.  In this episode, you'll explore: What adaptive reasoning means within the five strands of mathematical proficiencyWhy knowing how to use a strategy is different from knowing when to choose itHow think-alouds can make mathematical decision-making visible to studentsWhy reflection and metacognition matter when students solve unfamiliar problemsHow mathematical discourse supports adaptive reasoningThree conditions to consider before concluding that students are struggling with reasoningWhy background knowledge and meaningful, familiar contexts matter in problem solvingHow strengthening our own mathematical proficiency can better position us to support students If your students can complete straightforward calculations but struggle when mathematics appears in unfamiliar or multi-step problems, this episode offers a different place to look. Rather than simply adding more practice, consider what opportunities students have to choose strategies, explain those choices, reflect on their thinking, and strengthen the adaptive reasoning that helps weave mathematical proficiency together. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

If you could wave a magic wand and walk into any math classroom five or ten years from now, what would you hope to see? What would students be doing, saying, and thinking? How would the room feel? Those questions can reveal far more than a list of instructional strategies—they can help a team uncover what they truly want mathematics teaching and learning to become.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, Yvette Lehman and Beth Curran unpack one of their go-to routines for beginning a math improvement journey: the Magic Wand Wish List. They share how the routine has evolved to keep the conversation aspirational, asset-based, and centered on the student experience. From flexible thinking and multiple representations to meaningful mathematical discourse, confidence, curiosity, and resilient problem solving, the conversation paints a picture of mathematically proficient learners—and explores why creating that picture together is such an important first step toward coherence across a school or system.  In this episode, you'll explore: How to use the Magic Wand Wish List with educators and leadership teamsWhy the routine should focus on the student experience rather than conditions outside a team's controlWhat flexible mathematical thinking can look and sound like in classroomsWhy connecting multiple representations supports conceptual understandingHow meaningful discourse can build student confidence and mathematical authorityWhat it means to develop flexible, resilient problem solversWhy a shared vision creates greater coherence across classrooms and grade levelsHow to move from an aspirational vision toward an actionable next step As you begin a new school year, consider bringing your team together around one question: What would you like to see happening consistently across your math classrooms? Keep the conversation asset-based, imagine the experience you ultimately want for students, and use that shared vision to identify the first small move your team can make together. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Stepping into a new math leadership role can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time—especially when your responsibility suddenly expands from supporting one school or district to supporting dozens. Where do you begin when every district is at a different place, has different needs, and may already be working toward different mathematics goals? That's exactly the challenge facing one experienced math leader as she prepares to support 30 districts in a new regional role.  K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this coaching conversation, Jon Orr explores why the first move isn't creating more professional development or trying to support everyone at once. It's going to Gemba: getting close to the work, building relationships, asking better questions, and understanding what is actually happening across the systems you serve. From there, the conversation explores how leaders can start narrow, learn fast, and implement slowly—using the Math Coherence Compass to create shared direction, identify meaningful goals and leading indicators, and build the internal capacity needed for improvement to spread sustainably.  In this episode, you'll explore: What "going to Gemba" looks like for math leadersWhy starting narrow can lead to greater system-wide impactHow to support multiple districts without spreading yourself too thinThe importance of asking, "What are you working on, and how do you know?"How the Math Coherence Compass creates shared direction around mathematics improvementWhy leading indicators provide more actionable information than test scores aloneHow to build capacity within districts instead of creating dependence on outside supportThe shift from being a reactive support provider to a proactive systems leader If you're stepping into a math leadership role—or trying to create meaningful change across multiple schools or districts—this episode offers a practical place to begin. Start by getting closer to the work, understanding the systems you're supporting, and finding one place where you can learn deeply before trying to scale broadly. Show Notes Page Love the show? Text us your big takeaway! We’ve partnered with them to help bring more collaborative learning into classrooms. Whether you’re supporting one class or math instruction across multiple schools, find the right way to get started at wipebook.com/mathmoments. 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

School and district leaders often feel pressure to create widespread change as quickly as possible. But sustainable math improvement doesn't happen by trying to reach everyone at once—it starts by building the capacity of the people who will eventually lead the work. K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, we share the first year of one district's mathematics improvement journey. Rather than launching a system-wide initiative immediately, they focused on developing a small team of instructional leaders who first deepened their own understanding of computational fluency before supporting others. Through a summer leadership boot camp, monthly "book do" sessions, classroom implementation, and facilitator practice, they created a strong foundation for long-term success. Their story illustrates how learning fast, implementing slowly, and investing in leadership capacity can create momentum that lasts well beyond a single school year.  In this episode, you'll explore: How one district launched a sustainable mathematics improvement journeyWhy building leadership capacity should come before large-scale implementationThe value of a summer leadership boot camp for establishing vision and focusHow "book do" sessions moved professional learning from discussion to actionWhy facilitator development is essential for scaling improvementHow grade-band leadership structures support distributed leadershipLessons leaders can apply when planning multi-year mathematics improvement If you're leading mathematics improvement in a school or district, this episode offers a practical example of how to build leadership capacity, create momentum, and lay the foundation for sustainable change—one intentional step at a time. Show Notes Page 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Why do so many mathematics improvement efforts begin with energy and optimism, only to lose momentum months later? Schools invest in professional learning, adopt high-quality instructional materials, launch coaching cycles, and create pacing guides—yet lasting instructional change often remains frustratingly elusive. K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/ Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com  Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units  In this episode, we revisit Alan Schoenfeld's influential article, Why Are Learning and Teaching Mathematics So Difficult?, through the lens of school and district leadership. His framework reveals that improving mathematics isn't simply a classroom challenge—it's a systems challenge. We explore why teacher understanding, coherent learning environments, and organizational structures must work together to create lasting change. Along the way, we connect Schoenfeld's ideas to concepts like the Math Improvement Flywheel, leading indicators, distributed leadership, and coherent systems that continue improving even as people move through them.  In this episode, you'll explore: Alan Schoenfeld's three-circle framework for mathematics educationWhy deep mathematical understanding matters more than instructional moves aloneHow systemic coherence supports stronger classroom practiceThe difference between leading and lagging indicators of improvementWhy distributed leadership creates more sustainable math improvementHow the Math Improvement Flywheel helps systems build lasting momentumQuestions every math leader should ask before launching another initiative If you're leading mathematics improvement in a school or district, this episode will help you evaluate your current improvement strategy, identify where momentum is being lost, and build the systems needed for long-term success. Show Notes Page 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 bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.