DebateMath Podcast

This month's episode is a special recording of two LIVE debates at the OMCA 2024 Retreat. Listen as thoughtful math leaders discuss two topics and answer questions from the audience!The first topic is:We need to have common evaluations.The second debate topic is:Teachers spend too much time on direct instruction.Follow up with our debaters:Follow Angela Schaefer on Twitter: @SchaeferAngFollow Cherry Perentesis on Twitter: @CPerentesisFollow Kelly Madigan on Twitter: @kmads03Follow Stephen Monica on Twitter: @stephen_monicaListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Let’s talk about textbooks! Some teachers are handed a textbook and are instructed to follow it. Others may have never had a textbook offered to them. If you are given a textbook, should you be following it? And how much? And if you don’t have one, should you start? Tune in as four thoughtful educators debate the resolution: Teachers should follow the textbook.Resources Referenced in this EpisodeThe book Pi of Life was mentioned.  Graspable Math Open Middle Math Same But Different Math Which One Doesn’t Belong? The BEAM Program Follow Gabe Davis Twitter: @gdavis451Follow Zak Champagne Twitter: @Zakchamp or check out his website: zakchamp.comFollow Melissa Dean on Twitter & Instagram: @Dean_of_math, check out her blog: deanofmath.wordpress.com, or read her new book: Unravel School.Follow Tim Brzezinski on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube: @TimBrzezinski Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Welcome to Season 3!Listen in as Chris & Rob talk about the upcoming season!Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

We wanted to end the year by bringing together a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable to reflect on the past debates and also engage in a discussion around the question: How do we bring joy to math class? With politics around education and teaching so often turning negative in the news, we wanted to talk more about joy with our guests. And we hope it will lead to an enlightening discussion with our group today.Resources Referenced in this EpisodeEssay: The Having of Wonderful IdeasBook: Table Talk mathWebsite: Yummy MathMathematician’s Lament mentioned by Kit can be found at: worrydream.com/refs/Lockhart-MathematiciansLament.pdfBook: Math Games with Bad DrawingsBook: Building Thinking ClassroomsBook: Math MindsetsBlog: Math Equals Love Website: YoucubedFollow Kit on Social Media: @MrKitMath or bring Kit to your school for PD. Follow Phil on Social Media: @phildituri, Website: dituriconsulting.comFind out more about FiCycle at ficycle.orgFollow Farshid Safi on Social Media: @FarshidSafiFollow Kathy Henderson on Social Media: @kathyhen_Follow Patricia Vandenberg on Social Media: @VbergMath or at her Blog: patriciavandenberg.comFollow Ed Campos Jr. on Social Media: @edcampOSjr and check out his Website: edcamposjr.com and his new non-profit: campocreativo.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

If you know the Common Core, then you have probably seen the 8 Standards of Math Practice (or SMPs as we refer to them). Here at the DebateMath podcast, we are HUGE fans of SMP#3 - Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. But we wanted to take some time to highlight some of the other SMPs. So we reached out to educators asking for their favorites, asking: What is the best SMP?Resources Referenced in this EpisodeFollow Paige on Twitter & Mathstadon: @MrsSheehanMath Follow Damion on Twitter & Mathstadon: @DamionBethFollow Fawn on Twitter: @fawnpnguyen Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Earlier this season we had a lovely debate on whether or not to Ditch Algebra 2. During that debate, our four guests tangentially expressed four very different viewpoints on Geometry. We thought it would be a great idea to get these guests back together to hear more of their thoughts on Geometry. Should we keep it? Is it important? We want to dig deeper into this with our debate. So, we have 2 teams of 2 debating the resolution: Ditch Geometry.Resources Referenced in this EpisodeFollow Kit on Twitter: @MrKitMath, Email: mrkitmath@gmail.com. Follow Mimi on Twitter: @untilnextstop, Blog: untilnextstop.blogspot.comFollow Rachael on Twitter: @rachaelhgorsuch Follow Phil on Twitter/LinkedIn: @phildituri, Website: dituriconsulting.comFind out more about FiCycle at ficycle.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Join us as we take a break from our usual format for a special Back to School episode! Here at the DebateMath podcast, we highly value discourse in math. On the podcast, we want to elevate the voices of teachers and students in our episodes, and we also want that for our classrooms. We want to encourage student discourse in math class. So for this special episode, we asked a handful of educators for their “quick advice” on how to get students talking in math class. We did a handful of five minute interviews with several educators, asking: What is Your Best Advice to Get Students Talking in Math Class?Resources Referenced in this EpisodeFollow Marcia Marbury Kilpatrick on Twitter: @MsResource or on LinkedIn: Marcia Marbury Kilpatrick Follow Rachel Wiemken on Twitter: @MissWiemken or contact her via email: rachel.wiemken@hcesc.org Follow Dan Finkel on Twitter: @MathforLove via his website: MathForLove.com or Email: Dan@mathforlove.com   Follow Elizabeth Statmore on Twitter/Mathstadon/BlueSky: @cheesemonkeysf or read her blog: cheesemonkeysf.blogspot.comFollow Pam Harris on Twitter: @pwharris on Instagram: @pamharris_math  or on her website: mathisfigureoutable.com Follow Dr. Allison Hintz on Twitter: @allisonhintz124 or via Email: ahintz@uw.edu Dr. Hintz mentioned the article: Three Strategies for Opening Curriculum SpacesAnd be sure to join the DebateMath Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/debatemathListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Math class is so often associated with pencil and paper work–students working through steps of symbolic manipulation. But what role does or should technology have in math class? Our world is constantly changing, and how do we adapt to that? From calculators, to apps, to ChatGPT, the resources available keep growing. So how or what should we allow? How can we help students use technology wisely? In our latest episode, we are not debating the inclusion of technology, but we are discussing how best to utilize it. We are asking: What is the most important thing to keep in mind about technology in math class? Resources Referenced in this EpisodeMore on the Math Technology for Equity framework that Ed mentioned here.Follow Karen Campe on Twitter & Mathstodon: @KarenCampe and read her Blog: karendcampe.wordpress.comFollow Ed Campos Jr. on Twitter & Instagram: @edcampOSjr and check out his Website: edcamposjr.com and his new non-profit: campocreativo.orgFollow Kyne on Twitter/Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @onlinekyne Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Math exams are the typical culminating assessment at the end of the unit or the end of a semester, but what if we didn’t give exams? What if we instead spent that time on an alternative form of assessment. What would that look like? What are the options? In this episode, we have 3 awesome educators each sharing a different way to alternatively assess students.  Resources Referenced in this EpisodeMore on Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's can be found hereFollow Coach Victor Hicks on Twitter: @CodingWCulture, on other social media: @CodingWithCulture, or check out his Website: codingwithculture.comFollow Joshua Bean on Twitter: @MrJoshuaBean or Email: wakingbean@gmail.comFollow Nolan Fossum on Twitter: @NolanFossum or Email: nolanfossummath@gmail.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

It’s final exam season! So we thought it would be a good time to get into a debate about tests. Should we continue using paper tests, or is it time to give tests on computers? Which way is easier? Which method is best for teaching and learning? Should we stick with paper or is it time to say: Let’s Get Digital! Tune in as four educators share their thoughts on this debate!Resources Referenced in this EpisodeMore information Common Core Standards of Math Practice (including #5) can be found here.The study that Kathy mentions can be found at this link.Follow Julie Reulbach on Twitter: @jreulbach or at her Blog: ispeakmath.orgFollow Eli Luberoff on Twitter: @eluberoff or Email: eli@desmos.comFollow Kathy Henderson on Twitter: @kathyhen_Follow Patricia Vandenberg on Twitter: @VbergMath or at her Blog: patriciavandenberg.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Let’s talk about pacing guides. What are they? Why do we have them? How much should we follow them? This topic has caused quite the stir in many schools among colleagues. Some educators believe pacing guides may not be effective, or even necessary! While others believe pacing guides are needed so we stay on track to cover all of our grade-level content. Check out this great debate about pacing guides, featuring Hilary Kreisberg, Farshid Safi, Kwame Sarfo-Mensah and Berkeley Everett.Follow People in this EpisodeFollow Hilary Kreisberg on Twitter: @Dr_KreisbergFollow Farshid Safi on Twitter: @FarshidSafiFollow  Kwame Sarfo-Mensah on Twitter: @identityshaper or via his Website: identitytalk4educators.comFollow Berkeley Everett on Twitter: @BerkeleyEverett or via his Website: berkeleyeverett.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Have you heard that there’s is a new AP math exam: AP PreCalc. Yes, the College Board is planning to offer an AP PreCalc exam, starting in the spring of 2024. So should you offer an AP PreCalculus course next school year? What is on the test? What’s more, the College Board has been involved in some controversial headlines lately. The politics of the College Board are intertwined with our discussion about offering an AP PreCalc course. Join us as three passionate educators share their thoughts on offering AP PreCalculus. Resources Referenced in this EpisodeRead more about the College Board in the news recently in this article (NY Times)Follow Dr. Kristopher J. Childs on Twitter (and all social media): @DrKChilds, Website: kristopherchilds.comFollow Joelle Cooper on Twitter: @JoelleCooper15Follow Steve Leinwand via email: sleinwand@air.org, on Twitter: @steve_leinwand, Website: steveleinwand.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Suppose some students do not do well on a test or a quiz. What’s the best way for students to improve and then show their improved understanding? They could correct their mistakes for credit or set a date for a retake. Which way do you want students to show mastery? Listen in as our teams discuss what they think is the best way forward in this month’s debate!Connect with People from This Episode:Follow Julie Saller on Twitter: @edtechmathteach, or search for Julie Ann on Facebook.Follow May Vang on Twitter: @vangmay1, or find May Vang Swanson on Facebook.Follow Amanda Jansen on Twitter: @MandyMathEd, and find Mandy’s book: “Rough Draft Math” on the Stenhouse website. Follow Richard Velasco on Twitter: @rclvelasco.Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Let’s talk about Algebra 2! What is it? Why is it important? And most importantly, should we continue to require it? Plenty of high school students struggle in what we call Algebra 2, and many ask the question “when are we ever going to use this?” Some schools and districts now offer alternative pathways for students in their high school math options. So, that leads us to this month’s debate resolution: Ditch Algebra 2Resources Referenced in this EpisodeMore information on Ohio’s Math Modeling and Reasoning course.Read more about the work of Bob Moses and The Algebra Project.Mathematician’s Lament mentioned by Kit.Follow Kit on Twitter: @MrKitMath, Email: mrkitmath@gmail.com. Find more info about Lesley University’s Center for Math Achievement.Follow Rachael on Twitter: @rachaelhgorsuch Information about the new PreCalculus book that Rachael mentioned (and is an author on).Follow Phil on Twitter: @phildituri, Email: phildituri@gmail.com, Website: dituriconsulting.com.Find out more about FiCycle at ficycle.orgFollow Mimi on Twitter: @untilnextstop, Blog: untilnextstop.blogspot.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

We’ve heard the question of the relevance of high school math come up in both our podcast and in many conversations with educators. Do our students need high school math? Is it important to their future careers? What topics should we really emphasize or focus on? In this episode, we speak with four young professionals who are not math educators and ask them the question: Is the math we learn in high school relevant to their future?Follow Alex on Instagram: @alex_hansen17Follow Emily on Instagram: @eaw1029Follow Chanelle on Instagram: @nellyloves2write  Website: nellyloves2write.com Follow Megan on Instagram: @missmlearns Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Chris and Rob take a moment to reflect on the first season of the DebateMath Podcast. Tune in to peek behind the curtain and learn how these debate episodes come together. Listened to the episode? Share your thoughts! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts.Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

In the DebateMath Podcast season finale, we invited back a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable discussion to engage in a discussion around the question: What is the purpose of math class? Resources Referenced in this Episode:Follow Zak on Twitter: @zakchamp, Website: www.zakchamp.comFollow Dr. Raj Shah on Twitter:@drrajshah, Websites: DrRajShah.com & Math Plus AcademyFollow Nolan Fossum on Twitter:@NolanFossumFollow Leigh Nataro on Twitter: @mathteacher24, Blog: mathteacher24.blogspot.comFollow Dr. Kristopher Childs on Twitter: @DrKChilds, Website: http://kristopherchilds.comFollow Kristen Acosta on Twitter: @KristenMAcosta. Book: Hanging Math Out to Dry. Website: kristenacosta.com.Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

A LIVE debate on Homework! We are so excited to share the recording of our first-ever live debate at the @PCTMpctm math conference. Listen in as two teams of two debate the resolution: Students Should Have Math Homework. This episode includes live voting and Q&A from the audience. Connect with People in this Episode:Follow Shelby on Twitter: @StrongerMath or @Sneffleupagus. Website: www.strongermath.comFollow Rachel on Twitter: @rayieko1Follow Crystal Watson on Twitter: @_CrystalMWatson, Website: crystalmwatson.comFollow Justin on Twitter: @JustinAionListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to vote! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to cast a vote.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Calculus is often seen as an important course for competitive college admissions. Some call Calculus the “gold standard.” Should students push to take Calculus? Do colleges want incoming students to have Calculus on their transcript? How might teachers guide students best? Listen in as we debate the hot topic of Calculus and College Admissions. Connect with People in this Episode:Resources Mentioned: Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertkaplinsky, Website: robertkaplinsky.comFollow Rachel on Twitter: @rayieko1.Follow Darnell and her team on Instagram: @Vikes2College.Follow Beth on Twitter: @beth_wiser.Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to vote! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to cast a vote.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Should elementary teachers be content specialists? In most high schools, we are used to teachers being content specialists–in math or history or art etc. Students have a different teacher for each subject. Elementary students typically have one teacher for all content. Teachers are responsible for all subjects at that grade level. Some have said that elementary schools should have some teachers that specialize in content. Others push back on that idea. So let’s hear from both sides in our latest debate!Resources Referenced in this Episode:Resources Mentioned: Building Thinking Classrooms, Classroom Chef, Dr. Jo Boaler, Learning Trajectories, Graham Fletcher Progression Videos, Figuring Out FluencyAn article from NCTQ cited by AmandaFollow Kristen Acosta on Twitter: @KristenMAcosta. Book: Hanging Math Out to Dry. Website: kristenacosta.com.Follow Dr. Mike Flynn on Twitter: @MikeFlynn55 or on YouTube. Book: Beyond Answers.Follow Amanda Beeler on Twitter: @AmandaBeeler314.Follow Mario Valdez on Twitter: @mvaldez_mario. Podcast: Math Unmuted.Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to vote! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to cast a vote.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!