Making Math Moments That Matter

Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr
  • 4.8 (422)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Helping you transform your K-12 math lesson plans by building confidence in effective teaching practices, guiding you to transform your math curriculum, and inspiring classroom strategies to engage all students. As a teacher are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans where students don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? As a mathematics coordinator or leader are you wondering how to support teachers when implementing engaging math lessons that fuel student sense making?Over the last 19 years, Kyle and Jon, the founders of MakeMathMoments.com have been engaging students, teachers, and district program leaders with effective mathematics pedagogy, accessible resources, and inspiring learning environments in K-12 math classrooms. Now, in this podcast they coach you - K-12 classroom teachers and district leaders of mathematics  through a 6 step plan that cultivates and fosters your mathematics program like a strong, healthy and balanced tree.If you master the 6 parts of an effective mathematics program, the impact you have on students or teachers will grow and reach far and wide.Every week, you’ll hear insight from practicing classroom teachers and leaders in math education so you’ll get the feedback, guidance, and fresh ideas you need to stop feeling overwhelmed, gain back your confidence, and inspire the students and fellow teachers you serve to enjoy the beauty of mathematics once again. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180

  1. 1d ago

    From Classroom Observations to a Focused Math Improvement Plan

    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! 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.

  2. 5d ago

    Zak Champagne: Creating Curious Kids in the Math Classroom

    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. 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! 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.

  3. Sep 28

    Math Wars: Why Conceptual vs. Procedural Is the Wrong Math Debate

    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! 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.

  4. Sep 24

    Peter Liljedahl: Can We Teach Students to Be Resilient?

    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! 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.

  5. Sep 21

    How to Spiral Your Math Curriculum: A Better Alternative to Cramming and Reteaching

    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.

  6. Sep 17

    Rewarding Student Thinking: An Interview with Dr. Pamela Seda

    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! 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.

  7. Sep 14

    How Strong Math Teams Turn Decisions Into Action

    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! 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.

  8. Sep 7

    Why Do Students Struggle With Math Word Problems and What To Do About It

    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! 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.

See All (499)

4.8
out of 5
422 Ratings

About

Helping you transform your K-12 math lesson plans by building confidence in effective teaching practices, guiding you to transform your math curriculum, and inspiring classroom strategies to engage all students. As a teacher are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans where students don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? As a mathematics coordinator or leader are you wondering how to support teachers when implementing engaging math lessons that fuel student sense making?Over the last 19 years, Kyle and Jon, the founders of MakeMathMoments.com have been engaging students, teachers, and district program leaders with effective mathematics pedagogy, accessible resources, and inspiring learning environments in K-12 math classrooms. Now, in this podcast they coach you - K-12 classroom teachers and district leaders of mathematics  through a 6 step plan that cultivates and fosters your mathematics program like a strong, healthy and balanced tree.If you master the 6 parts of an effective mathematics program, the impact you have on students or teachers will grow and reach far and wide.Every week, you’ll hear insight from practicing classroom teachers and leaders in math education so you’ll get the feedback, guidance, and fresh ideas you need to stop feeling overwhelmed, gain back your confidence, and inspire the students and fellow teachers you serve to enjoy the beauty of mathematics once again. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180

Information

  • Creator
    Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    499
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Making Math Moments That Matter
  • Show Website
    Making Math Moments That Matter

You Might Also Like