Making Math Moments That Matter

Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr
  • 4.8 (418)
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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

    When Parents Push Back on “New Math”: Building Trust Through Clarity and Confidence

    Have you heard a parent ask, “Why are we making math so complicated?” You're not alone. Many teachers want to move beyond rote procedures—but hit resistance when families raise concerns about “new math.” From social media posts to parent-teacher conferences, the pressure to revert to traditional instruction is real. But the issue isn’t just parent perception. Often, teachers aren’t yet confident in conceptual models themselves. And without the right support, it’s easy to retreat back to what feels safe. Listeners Will Learn: Why parents often push back on visual models and multiple strategiesHow teacher confidence impacts the success of math shiftsWhat leaders can do to support teachers before inviting parents inThe importance of teacher epiphanies (and how to create them!)How to engage families in the why behind conceptual mathIdeas for parent communication that build trust, not tensionWhat it really means to shift the narrative around math understandingWhether you're a teacher navigating tough conversations or a coach supporting system-wide change, this episode delivers mindset shifts and practical moves to help you stay the course—even when pushback is loud. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    26 min

  2. 5D AGO

    MTSS: Fixing the Disconnect Between Tier 1 and Tier 3 Student Support

    Are your Tier 3 supports disconnected from Tier 1 math instruction? You’re not alone. Many schools implement math intervention with the best intentions—yet students continue to miss critical Tier 1 instruction, feel left behind, and fail to make meaningful gains. The root issue? Most systems treat Tier 3 like a separate math program instead of a coordinated extension of Tier 1. When intervention is disconnected from core instruction, students don’t just struggle—they get further behind. This episode digs into the real reasons why tiered support often fails in math classrooms—and what leaders, coaches, and teachers can do to change that. It’s not just about pulling the right small group. It’s about building a system where all students get access to high-quality instruction, every day. Listeners Will Learn: Why Tier 3 often functions in isolation—and why that fails studentsWhat makes math intervention effective (and what doesn’t)Why a shared vision for math is non-negotiable across all tiersHow to ensure coherence in models, language, and instructionThe importance of building teacher math content knowledge at all levelsWhat math leaders can do to align PLCs, pacing, and professional learningWhy strong MTSS math systems need more than logistics—they need leadershipIf your school or district is struggling to serve students who are far behind in math, this episode is packed with real talk, research-backed recommendations, and hard-won lessons from the field. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    24 min

  3. JAN 19

    Teaching Resilience in 2026: What Teachers, Leaders & Coaches Can Do When Students Shut Down

    Students quitting when the math gets hard? You're not alone. In math classrooms everywhere, teachers want to promote thinking, reasoning, and productive struggle—but are met with disengagement when tasks become challenging. In this episode, the Make Math Moments team explores the deep-rooted beliefs, structures, and messages that make resilience hard—and what we can do to change that. Listeners Will Learn: Why students shut down during struggle—and what messages fuel that behaviorHow to redefine what it means to be “good at math”What makes struggle productive (vs. frustrating)How to teach resilience explicitly and with intentionWhy scaffolding, tools, and connections matter for accessWhat math leaders and coaches must model for lasting instructional changeHow to build psychological safety for both students and teachersIf you’re ready to see more perseverance in your math classroom—or help your teachers build it—this episode offers practical insight, research-aligned moves, and real talk from educators who’ve been there. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    28 min

  4. JAN 15

    When There’s Too Much Math to Cover: Why Teachers Need Permission & Support to Innovate

    Ever feel like you’d love to try a new strategy—but you’re too afraid to fall behind? You’re not alone. Math teachers often want to innovate but feel stuck between pacing pressure, new resources, and competing priorities. In this episode, the Make Math Moments team talks about what’s really holding math teachers back—and what school and district leaders can do to help. Listeners will: Understand why strong core resources reduce the fear of “getting off track”Learn how spiraling supports both coverage and deeper learningExplore how to lead with integrity instead of fidelityDiscover what psychological safety looks like for teachersSee how math leaders can align priorities and support risk-takingGet clear on what “good math instruction” sounds and looks like If you're a math leader, coach, or teacher who’s tired of the “there’s too much to cover” conversation, this episode offers real solutions to help you move forward with clarity—and purpose. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    26 min

  5. JAN 12

    Lessons Teachers & Leaders Need To Learn About Coaching Math in 2026

    You’ve spent thousands on high-quality math curriculum and inspiring PD — yet instructional practices barely shift. Why? In this episode, Jon Orr tackles the elephant in the room: why good PD still fails to create consistent math instruction. It’s not a teacher problem — it’s a system design problem. Backed by research and real district stories, Jon shows why instructional coaching is the missing link between professional learning and lasting classroom change. Listeners will learn: Why most math PD fails to stick — even when it’s high qualityWhat research says about the hours needed for lasting changeThe four components every math teacher needs to shift instructionHow instructional coaching bridges the knowing–doing gapWhat “bright spot” teachers can do to scale impactWhy starting with some teachers is better than coaching no oneHow coaching becomes your highest-return investment in math improvementIf you're serious about math improvement, this episode is your call to move coaching from the margins to the center of your strategy. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    17 min

  6. JAN 8

    Tired of Calling on the Same Few Students in Your Math Classroom? Fixing Math Discourse Fatigue

    Why is it so hard to get more students talking in math class? In this episode, the team digs into a common challenge: when just a few confident students dominate math class discussions, while others stay silent. Drawing from personal experience and real classroom coaching, we explore how small, intentional shifts—like silent signals and think time—can completely transform math classroom discourse. Whether you’re a math teacher seeking practical moves or a coach supporting system-wide change, this episode offers a roadmap from problem-aware to solution-ready. We also unpack how ongoing support—not one-off PD—makes these shifts stick. You’ll Learn: Why traditional hand-raising shuts down thinkingHow small habits like think time and turn-and-talk build inclusionThe four conditions needed to help any strategy stickWhat math leaders and coaches can do to move from awareness to adoptionIf you're ready to break the cycle of disengagement and build a math classroom where every student has a voice, this conversation is for you. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    20 min

  7. JAN 5

    How Do I Teach Grade-Level Math When My Students Are All Over the Map?

    Struggling to meet the needs of every math learner in a single classroom? Many teachers feel overwhelmed when students show up with wildly different entry points—especially when they're trying to teach to grade-level standards with integrity. This episode dives into a familiar challenge: how to support diverse learners in Tier 1 math instruction without lowering expectations or relying on interventions alone. You’ll hear how one school tackled this barrier head-on by equipping teachers, building systems, and redefining what support looks like in real classrooms. Listeners Will: Understand how the concrete–representational–abstract (CRA) model creates access for all math learnersSee how one coach removed barriers by aligning tools, time, and teacher collaborationLearn why committing to “some, not all” can lead to system-wide impact over timeHear practical coaching moves that build trust, buy-in, and shared ownershipReflect on the leadership structures that allow great teaching to spread Press play to explore what real Tier 1 math access looks like—and how to start building it in your own school or district. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    22 min

  8. JAN 1

    Avoid this Mistake When Teaching Multiplication: An Interview with Dr. Alex Lawson

    In this eye-opening episode, math researcher and educator Dr. Alex Lawson challenges one of the most common approaches to teaching multiplication: introducing it as “groups of.” Drawing on years of classroom-based research, Alex reveals why this method might actually be limiting student understanding—and how rethinking multiplication through the lens of rate, quantity, and context can transform learning outcomes. You’ll walk away with practical insights for both math teachers and coaches, including: Why rate is a more powerful foundation for multiplication than repeated additionHow labeling referents helps students connect numbers to meaningSmall tweaks you can make—even with existing lessons or resourcesWhat to do when students are still counting additively in grades 3 and 4How to build math teacher confidence in implementing new strategies If you're ready to deepen students’ understanding of multiplication and better support problem-solving in your math program, this episode is packed with ideas and inspiration. Press play and rethink how you’re laying the foundation for multiplicative reasoning. Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/  Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how 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  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.

    27 min
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4.8
out of 5
418 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
    446
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Making Math Moments That Matter
  • Show Website
    Making Math Moments That Matter

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