Send us a text

You don’t need a full-on classroom overhaul to start seeing change. In this episode, we’re talking about the “pebbles” — those small irritations or roadblocks in math class — and how you can start removing them with intentional, doable steps.

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode, Jon and Kyle chat about what’s really getting in the way of change in the classroom. You’ll learn how to identify your “pebbles,” what steps you can take to shift your teaching, and why your system might be working exactly as it’s designed — for better or worse.

Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this conversation will leave you feeling reflective and ready to make meaningful tweaks in your teaching journey.

✨ Make Math Moments with Jon and Kyle

• 💻 https://makemathmoments.com/
• 🎙️ Spotify
• ⭐️ YouTube

📲 Stay Connected

• Follow on Instagram: [@hellomonamath]
• Visit the website: [monamath.com]

🎷 Love this episode?

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps other thoughtful, motivated educators find the show — and keeps the ideas and inspiration coming your way.

Thanks for tuning in to Math Chat Podcast ✨

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Struggling to get your whole school on board with stronger math instruction? You’re not alone!

In this episode, I’m sharing the framework I developed after seeing what actually works to transform school wide math culture — without burning out your teachers.

In this episode, Mona dives into the SHAPE framework — a 5-part approach to building a consistent, student-centered math program across an entire school. You’ll learn:

• Why quick-fix PDs often fail to move the needle
• How to shift teacher mindsets by showing, not telling
• What sustainable, scalable math success really looks like

Whether you're a school leader, math coach, or teacher who wants more clarity, this conversation will leave you feeling energized and ready to take the next step toward meaningful, lasting math change.

✨ Resources and Links Mentioned:

• 📣 Mona's Services

📲 Stay Connected:

• Follow on Instagram: [@hellomonamath]
• Visit the website: [monamath.com]

🎷 Love this episode?

Please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Your support helps more educators like you discover the show — and helps us keep bringing practical, inspiring content straight to your earbuds. 🎧

Thanks for tuning in to Math Chat Podcast!

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Is your school choosing a new math curriculum? Before you dive into samples, demos, and committee meetings, listen in! I’m sharing the top three mistakes schools often make—and how you can avoid them to select a curriculum that truly supports students and teachers.

🎧 Episode Summary:
In this episode, I (Mona!) dive into the nitty-gritty of math curriculum selection. You’ll learn:
✅ The #1 step most schools skip (and why it matters)
✅ How to balance content quality with usability features
✅ Why curriculum alone isn’t the magic fix—and what to focus on instead

Whether you're a school leader, instructional coach, or classroom teacher, this episode will leave you empowered and ready to choose a math curriculum that aligns with your vision and sets your school up for success.

✨ Resources and Links Mentioned:
🔗 Main CTA: Book a call or learn about PD & coaching packages for 2025–2026: monamath.com/services
📥 Sign up for Mona Mail & grab tomorrow’s full Curriculum Selection Criteria List: monamath.com/newsletter
🎧 Related Episode: 33 - Math Culture Starts with a Strong Math Vision

💻 Learn more about my work with schools and coaching support: monamath.com

📲 Stay Connected:
Follow me on Instagram → @monamath
Explore resources and more → monamath.com

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Ever feel like your students don't have number sense? In this episode, we’re unpacking number sense with our guest, Christina Tondevold. Let’s dig in—it’s about to get good.

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode, Christina dives into Number Sense. You’ll learn:

• 🔑 Tips on Teaching Number Sense
• 🔑 Defining Number Sense
• 🔑 8 Ways to Add Number Sense to Your Classroom

…so you can feel confident in teaching number sense to your students.

Whether you’re a brand new teacher or a seasoned teacher, this conversation will leave you feeling confident and ready to build math minds.

✨ Resources and Links Mentioned

• 2️⃣ Number Sense Concepts in Prek-2nd Grade
• 1️⃣ Number Sense Concepts in 3rd-5th Grade
• 💻 Build Math Minds Website
• 💻 LearningTrajectories.org
• 📘 Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics: Developmentally Appropriate Instruction for Grades Pre-K-2 by John Van De Walle

📲 Stay Connected

• Follow on Instagram → @buildmathminds
• Check out the website → https://buildmathminds.com/
• Reach out anytime → info@buildmathminds.com

⭐ Enjoying the Show?

Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if this resonated with you, leaving a quick review helps others discover the show—and it seriously makes my day. 💛

Thanks for tuning in to Math Chat Podcast!

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

The Problem with “Yet”

We’ve all said it: “They just can’t do it… yet.”
But what if that tiny word is quietly lowering the bar?

In this episode, Mona shares her 🔥hot take and breaks down why “yet” isn’t always as empowering as we think and how it can unintentionally mask low expectations. You’ll hear stories from Mona’s own classroom, what a visiting teacher helped her realize, and what to say (and do!) instead of leaning on “yet.”

💡 Perfect for teachers who believe in growth mindset, but want to put it into real, actionable practice.

📲 Let's Stay Connected:

• Follow on Socials @hellomonamath
• Visit www.monamath.com

🎷 Love this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Your support helps more elementary teachers find the show and helps me keep bringing you the best tips and inspiration for teachers like us!

Thanks for tuning in to Math Chat Podcast!

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Today’s episode is all about counting—but not just any kind of counting. We’re diving deep into how kids think about numbers, quantity, and patterns… and we’ve got the perfect guest to guide us.

I’m thrilled to welcome Christopher Danielson to the show. If you’ve ever stumbled across Which One Doesn’t Belong or How Many?, you already know Christopher’s work gets students—and adults—thinking more deeply about math in ways that feel playful, thoughtful, and refreshingly human.

We are chatting about:

• What is counting
• Why does counting matter
• How to support students through counting

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Which One Doesn't Belong?
• 📘 How Many? A Counting Book
• 📘 How Did You Count?
• Christopher's Website
• Math on a Stick
• Visual Patterns

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply HERE!

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Today, we’re diving into a tough but important topic: Why are we so afraid to give kids hard math problems? If we’re being honest, it can feel uncomfortable to watch students struggle. We want them to feel successful, and sometimes it's tempting to step in and help too soon. But when we rescue students from struggle, we rob them of the chance to build resilience and problem-solving skills.

In this episode, we’ll talk about why hard problems are essential for deep learning, what holds us back from giving students these challenges, and how we can create a classroom where students see struggle not as something to avoid but as part of the learning process. I'll also share strategies you can use tomorrow to help your students grapple with tough problems while feeling supported. Let’s get started!

We are chatting about:

• Why do we avoid giving hard problems
• Why hard problems are essential
• How to support students through hard problems

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Principles to Actions

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply now! Just make sure to send in your request at least 2 weeks before
your event!

👉🏼 Apply

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Today, we're talking about 5 quick math talk strategies that will spark math conversations and increase engagement!

As math teachers, we often feel like we're talking at our students. As you know it is easy to fall into the cycle of telling students what to do and how to do it in math. But, deep down what we really want is more engagement. If we’re being honest with ourselves talking and telling our students doesn’t lead to more engagement. What we really want is to get our students talking with each other about math?

In this episode, I’ll share a few simple strategies you can use tomorrow to get your students talking, thinking, and collaborating on math problems.

We are chatting about:

• What are Quick Math Talk Strategies
• Why Spark Math Conversations
• How to Spark Math Conversations

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 📘 Principles to Actions

⭐️ Coaches and Presenters!!

Request your free set of Wipebooks NOW at wipebook.com/mathchat.
If approved, you’ll receive a 5-sheet flipchart pack to use during your event, plus a raffle
giveaway for one of your participants to win a pack too!

Don't miss out—apply now! Just make sure to send in your request at least 2 weeks before
your event!

👉🏼 Apply

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!