Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers

Kristen Moore- High School Algebra Teacher + AI Educator + PBL Coach
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The Modern Math Teacher helps you make math class the best part of your 6-12 students' day. Join Kristen Moore for quick, real-talk episodes on Project Based Learning, student-centered teaching strategies, AI and technology inspired lesson planning and boosting student engagement—without burning out. New episodes every Tuesday.   👉 Join the conversation inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Community Facebook Group! 

  1. 3D AGO

    160 How Can AI Be Used in Education Without Killing Thinking?

    How can AI be used in education without killing  thinking? In this episode, we explore how teachers can use AI education tools responsibly — without replacing productive struggle or meaningful learning. You’ll learn how AI can support lesson planning, reflection, and feedback while keeping student thinking at the center. You’ll hear about: Why AI itself isn’t the problem — design isHow AI literacy helps teachers use tools responsiblyPractical ways AI can support teacher planningWhat responsible AI use actually looks like in math classrooms 🎟️ Join me for a hands-on AI training with BER (March or April) where teachers actively create lessons and materials. https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12  🎁 Can’t attend live? Download the Ultimate AI Tools for Math Teachers Guide instead. https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/aiguide Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    10 min

  2. MAR 3

    #159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement

    What if 10 million students could tell us what keeps them engaged in math — and what pushes them away? In this episode, I sit down with veteran educator Sheila Robitaille (30 years in classrooms and administration across the U.S. and Canada, now with 3P Learning) to unpack what nearly two decades of World Maths Day participation reveals about math engagement, productive struggle, and that critical middle school-to-Algebra transition. This conversation isn’t just about a contest. It’s about what happens to students’ confidence when abstraction increases — and how we can protect curiosity while raising rigor. In This Episode, We Discuss: 🔄 The Middle School Shift Why math suddenly feels more abstractHow pacing and performance pressure impact confidenceWhat happens to math identity during this transition ➗ Why We Lose Students in Algebra When procedure replaces thinkingThe unintended effects of “right answer” cultureHow speed and comparison increase anxiety 🌍 A Global Perspective on Productive Struggle + Engagement Two questions you must ask yourself as a teacherEstablishing a class culture to support struggleHow to create struggle that feels safe and purposefulEvery person can be a math person 🌍World Maths Day with Mathletics Through global participation in World Maths Day, educators have observed: Students lean in when challenge feels accessibleImmediate feedback increases persistenceParticipation motivates more than ranking Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-robitaille-8823864b 🌍Sign Up for World Maths Day: https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/ Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    33 min

  3. FEB 24

    158 Effective Math Teaching Strategies: What Comes After Productive Struggle?

    Productive struggle is an essential part of effective math teaching strategies, but it only works when teachers plan intentionally for what comes next. In this episode, we explore instructional teaching strategies that help students reflect, receive feedback, and formalize learning after challenging math tasks. You’ll hear examples of teaching strategies mathematics teachers use to turn struggle into lasting understanding. Topics include: Teaching strategies that support reflection after struggleHow feedback differs from fixing student thinkingWhy formalizing learning matters in math instruction If you want your math lessons to lead to deeper understanding—not just effort—this episode will help you close the gap. Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    15 min

  4. FEB 17

    157 Productive Math Struggle in Practice: A Conversation with John SanGiovanni

    In this special capstone episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by John SanGiovanni, co-author of Productive Math Struggle, for a reflective conversation on what productive struggle looks like in real classrooms—and how educators can support it intentionally. This episode wraps up our six-part Productive Math Struggle mini-series and is guided by questions shared directly from teachers I’ve been working with across my district and county. Together, we reflect on the impact of this work, common challenges teachers face, and practical ways to support student thinking, perseverance, and confidence in math. 💡 In This Episode, We Discuss: Why productive struggle matters now more than everHow to recognize productive vs. unproductive struggleWhen to step in during struggle—and when to hold backSmall instructional shifts that make a big impactSupporting productive struggle at the classroom and system level 📘 About the Guest John SanGiovanni is a best-selling author and nationally recognized leader in mathematics education. He works as a mathematics coordinator in Maryland, leading curriculum and assessment development, professional learning, intervention, and school improvement planning. He is the author of more than two dozen mathematics education books, an international consultant, and a former board member of both the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. 🔗 Connect with John Website: sangiomath.comSocial: @JohnSanGiovanni Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    37 min

  5. FEB 10

    156 Student Reflection Activities That Makes Struggle Stick

    Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 6: Reflecting on Productive Struggle In the final episode of our Productive Math Struggle series, we explore the power of reflection — the often-missing piece that transforms struggle into lasting learning. Grounded in research from Phillips (1987) and Sousa (2008), this episode focuses on how intentional reflection helps students make meaning of both what they learned and how they learned it. We share simple, flexible reflection routines that reinforce productive struggle, strengthen math identity, and build habits of perseverance. 🔑Key Takeaways Reflection increases retention and meaning-makingLearning includes experience, not just contentReflection reinforces that struggle is valuedVariety in reflection activities mattersReflection should be routine, not constantTeacher reflection improves future instructionCelebration should be thoughtful and student-centered 📝Mini Move of the Week 👉 Add ONE reflection prompt focused on struggle to lesson closure. 📚Read along with Us Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance 🔗 Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 📸 Instagram: @moorethanjustx 🧑‍💻Join the free FB group: The Modern Math Teacher Community 👩🏻‍🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member 💛 Explore more resources: www.moorethanjustx.com Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    12 min

  6. FEB 3

    155 Teaching Strategies to Support Productive Struggle in Real Time

    Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 5 In Part 5 of our Productive Math Struggle Series, we shift from planning to real-time classroom action: What do you actually do when students struggle? Instead of panicking, rescuing, or over-explaining (we’ve ALL been there), we walk through five high-leverage, easy-to-implement teacher moves that keep struggle productive — not painful. Using insights from Warschauer (2014), Smith & Stein’s 5 Practices, Mona Iehl, and practical classroom experience, this episode gives you the exact moves to support student thinking without stealing the learning. 🔑 Key Takeaways Not all struggle looks the same — knowing the type of struggle helps you respond effectively.Supporting struggle ≠ rescuing answers. The real goal is rescuing thinking.Small teacher moves have big impact on student confidence, perseverance, and identity.Catch-and-Release is one of the most powerful whole-class strategies for addressing common challenges.Referrals, graphic organizers, and anchor charts can build independence and reduce learned helplessness.Metacognitive micro-questions help students become self-directed learners.Honoring mistakes builds trust, reduces math anxiety, and strengthens classroom community.Strategic nudging helps prevent spiraling frustration without removing the challenge. ✏️ Mini Move of the Week 👉 When a student gets stuck, don’t explain. Ask ONE metacognitive micro-question. Just one. Watch what happens. 📚Read along with Us Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance 🔗 Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 📸 Instagram: @m Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    13 min

  7. JAN 27

    154 Designing Lesson Plans for Productive Struggle

    Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 4: Plan a Lesson with Productive Struggle In Part 4 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dig into the HEART of rigorous math instruction: lesson planning that intentionally creates space for student thinking, sense-making, and meaningful struggle. If you’ve been craving practical, teacher-ready strategies for selecting or modifying tasks, anticipating student thinking, and balancing conceptual understanding, fluency, and application — this is your masterclass. 🎓✨ 🔑 Key Takeaways Strong lesson design includes a clear math goal, intentional task selection, anticipatory planning, and reflection.Mathematical language should be amplified, not simplified (Van de Walle).High-quality tasks are essential for rigor — they reveal misconceptions and promote meaningful discussion.Rigor = conceptual understanding + procedural fluency + application (CCSSO, 2019).Doing the task yourself uncovers biases, reveals complexity, and improves instruction.Anticipation is one of the highest-impact teacher practices (Smith & Stein’s 5 Practices).Inquiry-first sequences (You Do → We Share → I Connect) create deeper learning and stronger reasoning.Grouping, routines, and community-building are essential parts of planning for struggle.You don’t have to overhaul everything at once — start with one lesson a week.✏️ Mini Move of the Week 👉 Choose any math task and modify it using ONE strategy from today’s episode. Tiny task shifts → big thinking gains. 📚Read along with Us Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance 🔗 Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 📸 Inst Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    20 min

  8. JAN 20

    153 Building Classroom Community in Your Math Class

    Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 3: Build Community for Productive Struggle In Part 3 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we’re diving into what may be the single most important ingredient of productive struggle: Community is not a “nice-to-have.” 👉 It’s the foundation that makes productive struggle possible. A math classroom community is a living, breathing ecosystem where students feel safe, valued, and supported enough to take academic risks. And when students are asked to think deeply, share ideas, make mistakes, and try again? That community becomes the backbone that makes productive struggle possible. 🔑 Key Takeaways A productive math community is built on trust, safety, respect, and belonging.Community is not a “Week 1” event — it must be maintained intentionally all year long.Middle school and high school students face unique barriers that make community-building even more critical.Students must co-create norms to feel ownership and accountability.Community is strengthened by shared understanding of productive struggle, mistakes, and the learning process.Teachers must periodically “take the temperature” of the class to reinforce norms and address disconnects.Learning is deepest when students engage, discuss, debate, and reflect, not just work quietly. (Boaler, 2013; NCTM, 2014) ✏️ Mini Move of the Week 👉 Have students co-create a “Good Group / Bad Group” sort and build class norms from their ideas. Shared ownership = shared responsibility. 📚Read along with Us Productive Struggle in Math: A 6 Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance 🔗 Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 📸 Instagra Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    12 min
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The Modern Math Teacher helps you make math class the best part of your 6-12 students' day. Join Kristen Moore for quick, real-talk episodes on Project Based Learning, student-centered teaching strategies, AI and technology inspired lesson planning and boosting student engagement—without burning out. New episodes every Tuesday.   👉 Join the conversation inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Community Facebook Group! 

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