The Build Math Minds Podcast

Christina Tondevold

The Build Math Minds podcast is for my fellow Recovering Traditionalists out there. If you don't know whether or not you are a Recovering Traditionalist, here's how I define us. We are math educators who used to teach math the traditional way. Flip lesson by lesson in the textbook, directly teaching step-by-step how to solve math problems. But now, we are working to change that to a style of teaching math that is fun and meets our students where they are at, not just teaching what comes next in the textbook. We want to encourage our students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and lovers of mathematics..we are wanting to build our students math minds and not just create calculators. If that is you, then this podcast is for you.

  1. 1D AGO

    3 Coaching Strategies That Actually Work

    Teachers are overwhelmed, students are struggling, and the strategies that worked pre-pandemic aren't working anymore. In this episode, I tackle one of the biggest mindset barriers happening right now: "They should already know this." Yeah, they should. But they don't. So now what? I'm giving you three practical coaching strategies to help teachers shift from "they should know this" (which leads to frustration and blame) to "here's where they are and here's how we move them forward" (which leads to action and hope). You'll learn: How to help teachers identify the actual gap so it feels manageable, not overwhelming How to reframe "catching up" as "building forward"—addressing foundational gaps within current instruction How to normalize where students are and reset expectations around the timeline Math recovery is taking longer than reading recovery since the pandemic. Your teachers aren't failing—they're working with a different reality. Resources mentioned: 2026 Virtual Math Summit sessions from Jen Hunt, Graham Fletcher, Ann Elise Record, and Dr. Sue Looney Register free at VirtualMathSummit.com Whether you're a math coach, instructional coach, or administrator supporting math teachers, this episode will help you address one of the most common (and most damaging) mindsets holding us all back right now. Register at VirtualMathSummit.com to learn from experts to help your staff Build Forward.

    16 min

  2. JAN 11

    The Science of Math

    In this episode, we tackle a hot topic in education: the Science of Math. Inspired by a podcast about women's health and a meeting with state math supervisors, I'm exploring two critical questions educators need to ask when applying research to their math instruction. First, is a powerful parallel I had when I heard: "Women are not small men" and that helped me think that math is not reading.  Let's challenge the common practice of taking research from reading instruction and automatically applying it to mathematics without questioning whether it actually fits. Just because something works for teaching reading doesn't mean it will work for teaching math—our brains process these subjects differently. Second, I challenge you to really take a look at the good and bad of what research suggests we do through the lens of timed tests. While research shows timed tests can increase fact retention, I ask the important follow-up questions: What about student anxiety? What about their enjoyment of math? I break down the actual benefits of timed tests (goal-setting, measuring progress, feeling achievement) and challenge listeners to find ways to get those benefits without the negative side effects. I'll leave you with two key questions to ask whenever you hear about "what the science says": Was this research actually done with mathematics, or are we borrowing from another field? If the research looks good but feels wrong, can you get the benefits without the downsides? Resources mentioned: Christina's previous video on timed activities 2026 Virtual Math Summit featuring Douglas Clements' session on The Science of Math - Register free at VirtualMathSummit.com Whether you're a teacher, math coach, or administrator, this episode will help you think more critically about the research you're applying in your math instruction. Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/217

    10 min

  3. 12/14/2025

    Why Math Practice Fails (And the Simple Fix)

    Do your students complete their math practice but forget everything by next week? There's a reason this happens—and a simple fix. Australian educator Michaela Epstein reveals why most practice only goes one direction (question → answer) and shares sorting & matching tasks that build real understanding. Learn how to add one metacognitive step that transforms mindless practice into flexible thinking. Plus, get details on the upcoming 10th Virtual Math Summit (Feb 28-March 1, 2026) with 34 sessions designed specifically for PreK-5 teachers and math coaches. Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/216

    28 min

  4. 12/07/2025

    Why Balance in Teaching Isn't What You Think

    Are you exhausting yourself trying to make everything "equal" in your math instruction or math coaching? In this video, I'm sharing why balance in teaching isn't about equality - it's about creating a beautiful structure that meets the needs of those you are working with. Let's rethink what balance really means for elementary math teachers and coaches. Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/215

    8 min

  5. 11/23/2025

    The REAL Purpose of Teaching Math (And Why It Matters More Than Ever)

    When your students ask "When will I ever use this?"—especially with AI doing calculations faster than any of us—how do you answer? In this episode, I share a conversation that just validated how I think about the purpose of teaching math.    Spoiler: It's not about long division. It's about building thinkers, not calculators.    You'll hear the difference between students who DO math versus students who THINK about math, why building flexible thinkers actually speeds up your teaching (not slows it down), and how to shift your instruction to focus on what really matters. If you've ever questioned why we teach certain math skills, this episode will give you a whole new perspective.   Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/214

    8 min

  6. 11/16/2025

    Seeing Multiplication - How Subitizing Builds Fact Fluency Through Relationships

    Are your students still counting on their fingers for 6×4? Transform how you teach multiplication facts with this game-changing approach to subitizing! In this episode, you'll discover how to move beyond the exhausting "times tables treadmill" that forces students to memorize 100 disconnected facts. Instead, learn how subitizing—the ability to instantly recognize quantities without counting—can help your students see multiplication as beautiful, connected relationships. You'll learn: Why traditional fact memorization fails (and what works better) The 4 Types of Multiplication Facts that create a foundation for all others  How to use ten frames and visual arrays to make multiplication facts "subitizable" Three classroom-ready strategies you can implement tomorrow How to help students see that facts, like 7×6, aren't random facts to memorize, but are connected to facts they already know (like 5×6 or 7×5) This episode walks you through the visual progression from scattered groups to organized arrays, showing you exactly how to use color-coding and strategic groupings to make even challenging facts like 8×7 accessible through relationships. You'll also see how all eight foundational number sense concepts work together to build true multiplicative thinking. Stop asking your students to memorize 100 isolated facts. Start helping them see the patterns, understand the relationships, and actually enjoy learning multiplication. Your students (and their fluency) will thank you! Includes link to Christina's color-coded multiplication chart to support visual learning in your classroom. Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/213

    22 min

  7. 11/09/2025

    Subitizing With Fractions

    Discover how subitizing—the ability to instantly recognize quantities without counting—can transform your fraction instruction! While you may already use subitizing with your younger students, this episode reveals why it's equally powerful for upper elementary learners working with fractions. You'll learn what subitizing with fractions actually looks like and why keeping quantities small makes all the difference. We'll explore how subitizing helps students focus on relationships between quantities rather than getting bogged down in counting individual pieces, allowing them to use grouping strategies and truly understanding what's happening when operating with fractions, not just following rules. This episode will give you practical strategies to build stronger fraction sense in your classroom. Plus, grab the free Fraction Subitizing Cards to get started right away! Get the Fraction Subitizing Cards here: https://buildmathminds.com/fraction-subitizing-10day  Enroll in The Flexibility Formula 3rd-5th: https://buildmathminds.com/enroll/  WATCH: 4 Early Numeracy Concepts WATCH: How to Build Fraction Sense Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/212

    9 min

  8. 11/02/2025

    Building Number Sense Without Adding to Your Plate

    You know that building number sense is crucial—but finding time for one more thing feels impossible. In this episode, discover how investing time in foundational number sense concepts actually saves you time in the long run. Learn two practical strategies for fitting this essential work into your already-packed day without adding anything extra: the 1% Better Approach and the Replace, Don't Add Strategy. You'll walk away with clear examples of which activities to stop doing and what to start doing instead, so your students develop flexible thinking about numbers and you spend less time reteaching.  If you're ready to make math instruction more intentional without overwhelming yourself, this episode is for you. Students with strong number sense learn faster, make connections more easily, and actually enjoy math. That means less frustration for you, less reteaching, and more time for what really matters. Your small tweaks today compound into big results all year long. Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/211

    20 min
See All (100)

4.7
out of 5
136 Ratings

About

The Build Math Minds podcast is for my fellow Recovering Traditionalists out there. If you don't know whether or not you are a Recovering Traditionalist, here's how I define us. We are math educators who used to teach math the traditional way. Flip lesson by lesson in the textbook, directly teaching step-by-step how to solve math problems. But now, we are working to change that to a style of teaching math that is fun and meets our students where they are at, not just teaching what comes next in the textbook. We want to encourage our students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and lovers of mathematics..we are wanting to build our students math minds and not just create calculators. If that is you, then this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Tondevold
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Build Math Minds
  • Show Website
    The Build Math Minds Podcast

You Might Also Like