The Build Math Minds Podcast

Rounding numbers should be way more than just a procedure where we ask students to look to see if the number behind is a 5 or higher.  Helping elementary students round should be based upon their number sense.  In this last episode of the Rounding Numbers series, I’m giving you an acronym to remember to help your students with rounding numbers: ABR.  To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds    To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: BuildMathMinds.com/175   

The 2024 Virtual Math Summit is this month!  Here’s a preview of 3 sessions from Michaela Epstein, Rosalba Serrano, and Nicole Thompson & Jessica Batinovic giving you tips, ideas, and inspiration to make our Number Routines the best they can be for your students.  To see the full list of speakers, their presentations, and to get registered go to VirtualMathSummit.com/register. To get any links mentioned in this episode, go to the show notes page at BuildMathMinds.com/156.

Are timed math activities helping or harming our elementary students? This controversial topic divides educators, but the research tells a clear story when we dig deeper. In this episode, we explore evidence-based strategies for using timed activities to build math fluency without creating anxiety or trauma. Drawing from the What Works Clearinghouse's analysis of 27 studies involving over 4,300 students, we discover that the problem isn't timed activities themselves—it's how they've been implemented. You'll learn the five essential steps for effective timed math practice: identifying already-learned topics, choosing engaging activities, ensuring students have efficient strategies, tracking meaningful progress, and providing immediate feedback. We move beyond traditional worksheets and timers to explore alternatives like number talks, mental math relays, and "beat your own score" games. This episode directly addresses real teacher questions about timed facts assessments and students who struggle with computation speed on standardized tests. We tackle the balance between building number sense and developing computational fluency, offering practical solutions for both classroom instruction and assessment preparation. Whether you're a classroom teacher questioning your current math fluency practices or a math coach supporting teachers through this debate, this episode provides research-backed strategies you can implement immediately. WWC/IES Practice Guide for Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics 

In this cross-posted episode from Math Chat, host Mona Iehl interviews Christina Tondevold about developing number sense in elementary students. Christina shares her journey from a "procedural" math student to becoming a math coach and founder of Build Math Minds. The conversation explores the eight components of number sense: four early numeracy concepts (subitizing, verbal counting, object counting, and cardinality) and four number relationships (spatial relationships, one/two more or less, benchmarks of 5 and 10, and part-part-whole). Christina explains how these concepts help move students beyond counting to more efficient math strategies. Practical classroom strategies discussed include using sticky notes to assess students' visual number understanding, implementing subitizing activities, and strategically choosing numbers in word problems to reinforce key number relationships. Both educators emphasize the importance of allowing students to solve problems in ways that make sense to them, rather than forcing procedural approaches. This episode provides valuable insights for teachers looking to build true mathematical understanding rather than just procedural knowledge in their students. Check out Mona’s podcast Math Chat Enroll in The Flexibility Formula Course

In Episode 202: Going Beyond the Task When Building Thinking Classrooms, we reveal the exciting lineup of special guests for our summer book study on 'Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades K-5' by Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux. Starting July 14th, each week will feature a video with reading prompts followed by live Q&A sessions with experts including first-grade teacher Tammy McMorrow, co-author of the book Maegan Giroux, and Official BTC Consultant Kim Rimbey. Join now at BuildMathMinds.com/bookstudy25 to receive a 20% discount code plus free shipping within the US, and participate in these valuable learning opportunities with educators who are transforming mathematics classrooms.

In Episode 201, I share two exciting summer learning opportunities for fellow Recovering Traditionalists as we prepare to pause the podcast until August. First, enroll in The Flexibility Formula online courses (K-2 or 3-5) to transform how you build math fluency with your students. BuildMathMinds.com/courses  Second, join our free summer book study on "Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades K-5" by Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux, starting July 14th. Register now at BuildMathMinds.com/bookstudy25 to receive a publisher discount (20% off with free US shipping) and access to exclusive weekly videos featuring insights from myself, Rosalba Serrano, and special guests. We'll explore Part 1 (BTC Practices in Review) and Part 4 (From Page to Practice), focusing on implementing thinking tasks and creating your own curriculum resources. This essential companion to Building Thinking Classrooms will help you prepare for next year's math instruction with practical strategies and ready-to-use templates.

In this milestone 200th episode of The Build Math Minds Podcast, I share the three essential math experiences every classroom needs: Number Routines, Word Problems, and Games. Drawing from research-backed practices in the IES/WWC guides, I explain why these activities are crucial for developing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application in mathematics. Learn how Number Routines make implicit math concepts explicit, how Word Problems should help students understand mathematical structures beyond keywords, and how Games provide engaging practice that builds fluency. To celebrate this 200th episode milestone, I'm offering a free Google file with examples of all three experiences that you can download at BuildMathMinds.com/200. After 200 episodes, these core principles remain unchanged - Routines, Word Problems, and Games help Build Math Minds!

In this episode, I explore the fascinating world of finger use in math and specifically how we represent numbers differently. After noticing that Dan Finkel and I show the number 3 with completely different finger configurations, I dive into why these variations matter for children's mathematical understanding. Through personal stories about my own children's attempts to show the number 5, I highlight how fixed representations can limit children's number sense. Join me to discover why showing quantities in multiple ways—whether using fingers, ten frames, or rekenreks—helps develop deeper mathematical thinking and flexibility. A must-listen for teachers and parents wanting to build stronger number foundations with young learners.

In this episode, Christina Tondevold welcomes special guest Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love and creator of popular games like Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dot. Dan shares his three essential principles for effectively implementing mathematical games in the classroom: games should involve meaningful choices, math should be the engine driving the gameplay, and games should be simple to learn and quick to play. Through personal stories and classroom examples, Dan and Christina explore how games transform math from a dreaded chore into an engaging learning experience. The episode concludes with a demonstration of the "31 Game," a simple yet strategic counting game that exemplifies how mathematical play can build number sense, encourage strategic thinking, and create a classroom culture where students aren't afraid to show what they don't know. Perfect for educators looking to reinvigorate their math instruction between standardized testing periods! Join the Build Math Minds PD site to access the Mini Courses https://buildmathminds.com/bmm/  Dan’s website Math For Love https://mathforlove.com/  Dan’s game Prime Climb https://amzn.to/3Y3jN5y  Dan’s game Tiny Polka Dot https://amzn.to/44sfRiI 

In this final episode of our three-part series on upleveling missing part activities, I share ways to transform two popular math games: Salute and Number Sandwiches. Learn how to modify these traditional games to help your students build a deeper understanding of number relationships through missing part problems. These upleveled versions create opportunities for students to work with equivalent expressions while maintaining the fun and engagement of game-based learning. Perfect for elementary math teachers looking to enhance their daily math lessons with games that challenge students to think more deeply about mathematical relationships.

In this second installment of our three-part series on Missing Part Activities, we explore 'repackaging tasks' - a powerful approach to traditional missing part word problems. While educators are familiar with finding unknown parts in word problems like “Christina has $12, she spends some now she has $7.  How much did she spend?”, repackaging tasks push mathematical thinking further by having students redistribute quantities across equivalent expressions. Through practical examples in both multiplication and addition contexts, I demonstrate how these problems help students develop a deeper understanding of equality, number properties, and flexible thinking strategies. Learn how incorporating these enhanced word problems alongside your regular curriculum builds stronger mathematical minds. Part 1 is Episode 195 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZKctj2pns  

In this episode, we explore how to elevate your 'Missing Part' math activities beyond the basic type like 5 + __ = 12' into more problems that help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical equality and build foundational number properties. Get a quick way to implement these enhanced activities in your classroom. Perfect for elementary educators looking to strengthen their students' mathematical thinking without explicitly teaching formal properties. This is the first in a three-part series on upleveling Missing Part activities for more meaningful math instruction.

In this episode, we explore the common misconception about mental math in mathematics education. Featuring insights from Pam Harris' newly published book 'Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms,' we discuss why mental math isn't about doing calculations without paper—it's about developing quality thinking strategies.   

In this episode, I follow up on last week's introduction to the Lesh Translation Model with an important caution. While I previously shared a template for The Translation Task, today I explore concerns raised by John Mason in the 1987 book "Problems of Representation in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics." Mason warns that frameworks like the Lesh Model can become "mechanical schemes for generating yet more useless student activity" when implemented without proper attention. I offer two specific ways to prevent this template from becoming routine and mindless.  This episode emphasizes the importance of thoughtful implementation over mechanical application of educational frameworks. For more information and to download the Translation Task Template, visit BuildMathMinds.com/193.

In Episode 192, "A Math Task All Teachers Should be Doing," I discuss the Lesh Translation Model, a powerful framework that was frequently featured at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. This model, which dates back to 1979 but was highlighted in NCTM's 2014 book "Principles to Actions," identifies five different ways to represent mathematical concepts: Manipulatives (objects), Realistic (real-life contexts), Pictorial (drawings), Language (verbal descriptions), and Symbolic (numbers/equations). I explain how these representations are interconnected and how developing multiple representations helps students build a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The episode introduces the Translation Task, where students are given one representation of a concept and asked to create the other representations. Grab the free download of the Translation Task template at BuildMathMinds.com/192 to start doing the task immediately with your students to strengthen mathematical understanding through multiple representations.  

Highlights from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit Get a look into the 2025 Virtual Math Summit's six live sessions that are transforming mathematics instruction in classrooms across the country. This episode captures the essence of innovative teaching approaches from some of the most influential voices in math education today. Discover how Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux are revolutionizing classrooms with their "Building Thinking Classrooms" approach, including their counterintuitive advice to create "bad examples" that spark genuine problem-solving. Listen as Pam Harris demonstrates how simple "helper problems" can build powerful number relationships without relying on mindless algorithms. You'll gain practical insights from Shannon Olson on effectively connecting the five types of mathematical representations, and witness Kim Rimbey's fascinating exploration of how ten frames can develop deep place value understanding across all grade levels. NCTM President Latrenda Knighten shares engaging strategies for incorporating children's literature and instructional routines to enhance mathematical discourse, while Ann Elise Record demonstrates why visual models are far more effective than the misleading "keyword" approach for tackling word problems. This episode isn't just about theory—it's packed with classroom-tested strategies you can implement immediately to deepen your students' mathematical understanding and confidence.  Show Notes: Building Thinking Classrooms through non-examples and "just-in-time" teaching Moving beyond algorithms to develop mathematical relationships Connecting contextual, physical, visual, symbolic, and verbal representations Using ten frames to develop place value understanding across grade levels Enhancing mathematical discourse through children's literature and instructional routines Visual modeling approaches for word problems that transcend "keyword" strategies Featured Speakers: Building Thinking Classrooms Peter Liljedahl & Maegan Giroux, Pam Harris, Shannon Olson, Kim Rimbey, NCTM President Latrenda Knighten, and Ann Elise Record Note: March 3rd is the last day to watch the 2025 Virtual Math Summit sessions for free. Extended access is available through BuildMathMinds.com/bmm 

Get four powerful strategies for making mathematics engaging and accessible for elementary students from expert presenters at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Dr. Raj Shah reveals the psychology of engagement through video game design principles, while Kristin Acosta demonstrates how to use everyday images to spark mathematical discussions. Jeff Gobin shows how digital manipulatives can make abstract concepts concrete, and Tyler Tarver shares research on leveraging educational videos effectively in mathematics instruction. Whether you're looking to increase student participation, reduce math anxiety, or create more engaging lessons, this episode provides practical, research-based strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom. Learn how to meet students where they are while guiding them toward deeper mathematical understanding through visual, digital, and traditional approaches to learning. Featured Speakers: Dr. Raj Shah, Kristen Acosta, Jeff Gobin, and Tyler Tarver Discover how to transform your math instruction and make mathematics accessible and engaging for all students. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch the full versions of these sessions February 22nd & 23rd. Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/  Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade  To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/189   To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds 

How can we help our students retain what they learn in mathematics? The latest 2024 NAEP scores show that only 39% of 4th grade students and 28% of 8th grade students are performing at or above the Proficient level in mathematics, suggesting many students aren't retaining fundamental concepts. In this episode, Christina shares research-backed strategies from two Virtual Math Summit presenters, Jen Hunt and Michaela Epstein, that can help combat these concerning trends. Learn about The Forgetting Curve, how working memory impacts math learning, and why practices like math games and spaced practice are scientifically proven to help students retain mathematical concepts. Discover three practical strategies you can implement tomorrow to help your students better retain what they learn in mathematics. Plus, get insights into how dual coding theory and dopamine play crucial roles in mathematical learning and retention. These brain-based strategies can help your students build lasting mathematical understanding. Featured speakers: Jen Hunt and Michaela Epstein Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch these transformative sessions February 22nd & 23rd. Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/  Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade  To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/188   To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds 

In this episode, get an inside look at three powerful sessions from the 2025 Virtual Math Summit focused on transforming math problem solving in elementary classrooms. Listen to clips from John SanGiovanni sharing a unique routine that shifts focus from answers to understanding, Danielle Moore demonstrating practical strategies for building student independence through CGI instruction, and Christine Riad exploring how classroom culture impacts students' problem-solving confidence. These pre-recorded sessions, along with Ann Elise Record's live session mentioned in episode 186, will give you practical tools to address common struggles students face when solving math problems. Learn how to help students move beyond just asking "Is this addition or subtraction?" to becoming confident mathematical thinkers. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com to watch these transformative sessions February 22nd & 23rd. Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/  Upgrade to have extended access to Virtual Math Summit sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade  To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/187   To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds

In this episode, get a sneak peek at the live sessions happening at the 2025 Virtual Math Summit. Learn about sessions from renowned math educators including Pam Harris on moving beyond algorithms, Shannon Olson on connecting mathematical representations, Kim Rimbey's innovative approach to ten-frames, Latrenda Knighten's strategies for mathematical discourse, and Ann Elise Record's deep dive into visualizing problem-solving structures. These live sessions, happening February 22nd-23rd, are designed to give you practical, classroom-ready strategies you can implement immediately. Register for free at VirtualMathSummit.com and learn about options for extended viewing of all sessions at VirtualMathSummit.com/upgrade. Register for the Virtual Math Summit: https://virtualmathsummit.com/  To get any links mentioned in the episode go to: https://buildmathminds.com/186   To see this episode instead of just listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/BuildMathMinds