Math Chat

Mona Iehl
  • 4.9 (35)
  • EDUCATION
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Mona, of Mona Math, reveals the mysteries of how to teach elementary math even if you aren't a math person. Discover how you can develop a buzzing student led math classroom. We cover all things math identity, classroom culture, and student centered instructional practices to help you empower students to love and understanding math deeply.

  1. 23H AGO

    178: Mark Golden - Behind the Dedication - Hot Takes From a Teacher Who’s Lived WPW for Years

    Send us a text Imagine walking into a classroom where math doesn’t just happen on the board, but is a lively conversation in every corner. Mark Golden’s math classroom, especially during Word Problem Workshop (WPW), is where students actively engage, ask questions, and challenge each other’s thinking. The sounds of excited voices collaborating, the visuals of students working on complex problems together, and the palpable energy of intellectual curiosity make this classroom an exciting place to be. If you’re curious about what this environment feels like in action, this segment will give you a front-row seat! Mark’s insights into teaching, student transformation, and the Word Problem Workshop approach are just the beginning. To hear more about his journey and how you can implement these powerful strategies in your own classroom, listen to the full podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and download our latest teaching resources to keep your classroom thriving! ⭐️⭐️ Transform how your students tackle word problems with Word Problem Workshop — a fresh, research-backed framework that shifts the focus from “what to do” to how to think. This book walks you through five predictable instructional steps that build confident problem solvers — not calculators. Pre-order now at monamath.com/book Not to mention you'll get tons of Preorder bonuses when your purchase before 10/24/2025📒 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!

    28 min

  2. 3D AGO

    177: Word Problem Workshop - Planning

    Send us a text In this episode of Math Chat, we dive deep into planning for Word Problem Workshop (WPW) and how to maximize your preparation time. Instead of focusing on what students will do, we’re shifting the focus to how students will engage with and solve math problems. Want to learn how to plan math lessons that encourage deep thinking and problem-solving? Keep reading! When planning math lessons, we typically spend time thinking about the activities, practice problems, and worksheets. However, to truly empower students, we should focus on how they will solve the problems. This shift in focus—from the what to the how—will allow you to support students in thinking critically, making connections, and understanding math deeply. If you’re ready to revolutionize your planning, this episode will give you the insights you need. Ready to Plan Your Next Math Lesson? Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review If you’re excited to implement Word Problem Workshop in your classroom, don’t miss this episode. Listen now, subscribe for more episodes, and leave a review to share your thoughts. Plus, grab your copy of the Word Problem Workshop book and take advantage of all the free downloads and resources included.  Podcast Episodes Mentioned: 🎙️ Ep 168 - Step 1 of WPW 🎙️ Ep 169 - Step 2 of WPW  🎙️ Ep 171 - Step 3 of WPW 🎙️ Ep 173 - Step 4 of WPW  🎙️ Ep 175 - Step 5 of WPW 🎙️ Ep 178 - Mark Golden Interview ⭐️⭐️ Transform how your students tackle word problems with Word Problem Workshop — a fresh, research-backed framework that shifts the focus from “what to do” to how to think. This book walks you through five predictable instructional steps that build confident problem solvers — not calculators. Pre-order now at monamath.com/book Not to mention you'll get tons of Preorder bonuses when your purchase before 10/24/2025📒 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!

    12 min

  3. OCT 9

    176: Amanda - Behind the Dedication - How Doing Hard Things Grows Math Understanding and Confidence

    Send us a text In this episode of Math Chat, we welcome Amanda, a teacher who has completely transformed her math instruction through Word Problem Workshop (WPW). Together, we dive into the powerful shifts she’s made in her teaching practice, and how these changes have influenced her students’ growth, confidence, and love for math. If you're looking for inspiration and practical tips for your own classroom, this episode is for you! Amanda opens up about her own experiences with math as a student and how it shaped the way she now teaches. Reflecting on her "before and after" moments, she shares how moving from a more traditional approach to Word Problem Workshop has radically changed her perspective—and her students' results. Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review! This episode offers a wealth of insight from a teacher who’s experienced firsthand the power of Word Problem Workshop. If you’re ready to transform your own math instruction, be sure to subscribe, listen to the full episode, and leave a review. And don’t forget to grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop: 5 Steps to Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers—it could be the tool you need to empower your students today! Transform how your students tackle word problems with Word Problem Workshop — a fresh, research-backed framework that shifts the focus from “what to do” to how to think. This book walks you through five predictable instructional steps that build confident problem solvers — not calculators. Pre-order now at monamath.com/book Not to mention you'll get tons of Preorder bonuses when your purchase before 10/24/2025. 📒 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!

    32 min

  4. OCT 6

    175: Step 5 Word Problem Workshop - Reflect

    Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the power of reflection in the Word Problem Workshop (WPW). If you're an educator seeking to enhance student learning through meaningful discussions, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how adding just one simple step—Reflect—can shift your classroom dynamic and help your students internalize what they’ve learned. How Reflection Makes Learning Stick That’s when I introduced the “Reflect” step to WPW. Rather than wrapping up a discussion and moving on to the next topic, I began asking students to revise their work and think critically about what they had just learned. It’s a game-changer, and it all boils down to one powerful quote: “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.”—John Dewey. Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review! This episode offers just a glimpse of how reflection can make your math lessons more impactful. To dive deeper into these strategies, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Don't forget to check out the upcoming interview episode on October 9th—it’s going to be epic! And for those of you ready to level up your WPW routine, grab your copy of the book—pre-order it now before the bonuses disappear! 📒 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!

    11 min

  5. OCT 2

    174: Meghan Princehorn - Behind the Dedication - The Gift of Building Classroom Communities Where Every Child Belongs

    Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Meghan Princehorn, a school social worker, to talk about the powerful connection between social emotional skills and success in the classroom—especially in math. Meghan shares insights from nearly two decades of collaboration and practical strategies you can use right away. We explore the “window of tolerance” and how it affects a student’s ability to learn, problem-solve, and think clearly. Meghan shares simple ways teachers can help students stay in that optimal zone throughout the day. These skills don’t just calm students—they create the foundation for deeper learning. This episode is packed with strategies you can put into action right away. If you’re ready to create a classroom where students are confident problem-solvers, you won’t want to miss it. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review so more teachers can join the conversation. 📒 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!

    33 min

  6. SEP 29

    173: Step 4 Word Problem Workshop - Discuss

    Send us a text Talking is my thing—I love it! But in the classroom, I’ve learned it’s not just about giving students time to talk. It’s about teaching them how to discuss math in ways that deepen understanding, build confidence, and move learning forward. In this episode, we dive into the power of math discussions in Step 4 of Word Problem Workshop. Picture it: students in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, all voices visible and heard. They use hand signals to show they’re ready to speak and call on each other directly. The teacher steps back, guiding when needed, but the conversation belongs to the kids. This structure turns math talk into true collaborative learning. Step 4 of Word Problem Workshop shows us that math discussions transform learning. Want to dig deeper? Listen to the full episode, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review. 📒 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!

    17 min

  7. SEP 25

    172: Ed Spicer - Behind the Dedication - How One Classroom Opened my Eyes to the Genius Children Carry

    Send us a text What does it really take to create a classroom where students not only learn math but also trust themselves, their peers, and their teacher? In this episode, I sit down with educator Ed Spicer to talk about building a math classroom community where students are independent, curious, and unafraid of hard things. A Classroom That Changed Everything When I first visited Ed Spicer’s 1st grade classroom, I was floored. His students weren’t waiting for instructions—they were running through morning routines on their own, journaling, exercising their brains, and preparing for the day with total independence. In this episode, Ed shares how creating a strong classroom community builds student ownership and transforms learning. Connect with Ed - edspicer@mac.com 🎧 Listen Now This episode is packed with insights on building classroom community in math, fostering independence, and helping kids embrace challenges with confidence. Tune in today, subscribe for more conversations like this, and don’t forget to leave a review to help us reach more educators and families! 📘 Want to go deeper? Join my Book Launch Crew and grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop when it drops this fall. 📒 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!

    35 min

  8. SEP 22

    171: Step 3 Word Problem Workshop - Share

    Send us a text Does your math class feel like only a handful of students ever raise their hands while the rest stay silent? Or maybe your students avoid sharing out of fear of being wrong? You’re not alone—many teachers face this challenge. In today’s episode, we’re diving into Step 3 of Word Problem Workshop: the Share, and how it can transform your math classroom into a motivated community of problem-solvers. When I taught both 1st and 5th grade, I noticed the same pattern—students hesitated to share their thinking. Younger students often relied on a few eager classmates, while older students were afraid of being wrong. This episode starts with that familiar struggle and sets the stage for why Step 3 is such a game changer. Ready to Transform Your Math Classroom? If you’re intrigued by this process, make sure to listen to the full episode for classroom-tested strategies and insights. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s ready to build a stronger math community. 👉 Want more? Be sure to preorder the book where I share all the details, examples, and tools you need to put Word Problem Workshop into action. 📒 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!

    12 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Mona, of Mona Math, reveals the mysteries of how to teach elementary math even if you aren't a math person. Discover how you can develop a buzzing student led math classroom. We cover all things math identity, classroom culture, and student centered instructional practices to help you empower students to love and understanding math deeply.

Information

  • Creator
    Mona Iehl
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Math Chat
  • Show Website
    Math Chat

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