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 le...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 36:59
The math wars often focus on conceptual understanding versus traditional algorithms. Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman explore a deeper challenge: understanding the prerequisite…
Sep 24, 2026 · 32:11
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…
Sep 21, 2026 · 17:29
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…
Sep 17, 2026 · 32:12
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…
Sep 14, 2026 · 27:22
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?…
Sep 7, 2026 · 28:04
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…
Aug 31, 2026 · 26:45
If you could wave a magic wand and walk into any math classroom five or ten years from now, what would you hope to see? What would students be doing, saying, and thinking? How…
Aug 24, 2026 · 38:58
Stepping into a new math leadership role can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time—especially when your responsibility suddenly expands from supporting one school or…
Aug 17, 2026 · 22:48
School and district leaders often feel pressure to create widespread change as quickly as possible. But sustainable math improvement doesn't happen by trying to reach everyone at…
Aug 10, 2026 · 21:20
Why do so many mathematics improvement efforts begin with energy and optimism, only to lose momentum months later? Schools invest in professional learning, adopt high-quality…
Aug 3, 2026 · 29:03
Homework has long been a part of the mathematics classroom, but opinions about its value continue to vary. Should students be completing pages of practice each night, or is there…
Jul 27, 2026 · 13:58
Every school system wants to improve student achievement in mathematics. Yet when students struggle, the immediate response is almost always the same: more intervention, more…
Jul 20, 2026 · 30:04
Assessment is one of the most powerful tools teachers have—but it's also one of the most misunderstood. Too often, every task, activity, or game is expected to produce a grade,…
Jul 13, 2026 · 32:33
Many school systems want better mathematics outcomes, but few struggle because of a lack of effort. More often, the challenge is figuring out how to create meaningful change at…
Jul 6, 2026 · 27:51
Few math concepts seem to create as much anxiety as fractions. For students, parents, and even educators, fractions often carry a reputation for being difficult, confusing, and…
Jun 29, 2026 · 27:21
Summer is often seen as a time to step away from school, recharge, and reset. But it can also be an opportunity to strengthen your mathematical thinking, explore new ideas, and…
Jun 22, 2026 · 40:00
Many schools want to improve math instruction, but few have a clear process for deciding what to focus on, how to measure progress, and how to align professional learning around…
Jun 15, 2026 · 11:05
Many school systems measure success in math education by one thing: math test scores. But what if waiting for scores to improve is actually slowing down meaningful change? K-12…
Jun 8, 2026 · 31:45
Every school system wants sustainable improvement in math instruction. But in education, there’s one reality we can’t ignore: people are constantly stepping on and off the…
Jun 1, 2026 · 44:35
Not all math tasks are created equal. Some lead to deep thinking, rich discussion, and meaningful learning—while others fall flat. So what actually makes a math task effective?…
May 25, 2026 · 28:21
Small group instruction is a common part of math classrooms—but when it comes time to actually sit down with a group of students, many teachers are left wondering what they…
May 18, 2026 · 15:54
Improving math instruction and student achievement is something every school and system wants. But despite that desire, real, lasting change often feels out of reach. Not because…
May 11, 2026 · 29:22
Improving student achievement in mathematics is a goal shared by schools, districts, and systems everywhere. Yet despite years of effort, many classrooms still aren’t seeing the…
May 4, 2026 · 21:32
In math education, there are a lot of terms that get used interchangeably—unpacking standards, planning units, designing lessons. But for many teachers, it’s not always clear how…
Apr 30, 2026 · 24:42
In schools today, it can feel like there’s always something new being introduced. A new initiative, a new priority, a new expectation. And for many teachers, especially in math…
Apr 27, 2026 · 25:24
In today’s math classrooms, there’s a growing expectation: students should be able to use and connect multiple mathematical representations. From visual models to symbolic…
Apr 23, 2026 · 24:47
In math classrooms, there’s something that shows up again and again: resistance. It can come from students, from teachers, and sometimes even from the school system itself. And…
Apr 20, 2026 · 23:53
In math classrooms, what is the most common frustration that keeps showing up? Not enough time. Interrupted lessons. Lost instructional minutes. The constant feeling of trying to…
Apr 16, 2026 · 22:05
In this episode, hosts Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman unpack a tension that’s been debated in math education for decades: conceptual understanding vs. procedural fluency. Yvette…
Apr 13, 2026 · 25:22
We talk about planning all the time in math education. But here’s the question: How much time should you realistically be spending planning your math lessons each day? Because…
Apr 9, 2026 · 26:30
You’ve got protected time for Tier 2 math intervention… …but what are you actually supposed to do during that time? This is one of the most common questions we hear from teachers…
Apr 6, 2026 · 33:18
We talk about Tier 1 instruction all the time in math education. But here’s the question: Do we actually have a shared understanding of what strong Tier 1 math instruction looks…
Apr 2, 2026 · 22:59
It’s April, and in math class the countdown is on. There is limited time left before standardized math testing or the end of the school year—and many math teachers are feeling…
Mar 30, 2026 · 32:15
As math testing season approaches, many teachers and leaders feel the tension. We want students to succeed. We know they’re capable. But too often, that message turns into…
Mar 26, 2026 · 27:40
If the standard algorithm is the final goal in math, why not just teach it directly? This question came up during a recent math leadership summit while discussing fluency and…
Mar 23, 2026 · 22:48
What if one of the most common terms in math education — conceptual understanding in math — isn’t actually understood the same way across schools, systems, or even math…
Mar 19, 2026 · 21:49
Some math teachers insist students must always show their math thinking. Others argue that if the math answer is correct, that should be enough. When math grading practices don’t…
Mar 16, 2026 · 25:30
You’re teaching math to 34 students. You slow math pacing to support the middle, but you can feel yourself losing students who are ready to move. A listener emailed us after our…
Mar 12, 2026 · 20:16
Testing is around the corner—and teachers are asking: “Do I stop everything and switch into test prep mode?” Many teachers spend weeks reviewing, drilling, and assigning packets.…
Mar 9, 2026 · 19:01
It’s March. The weather is shifting. Spring break is coming. And quietly, many math leaders have already started thinking about next year. Budgets. Staffing. PD planning. Testing…
Mar 5, 2026 · 25:15
If your students can calculate but collapse in math word problems, the issue often isn’t the numbers—it’s the structure. Many schools default to keyword hunts, graphic…
Mar 2, 2026 · 19:32
If you wait until every student has mastered a math concept, you might still be in Unit 1 in December. Many teachers feel they can’t move on until students demonstrate…
Feb 26, 2026 · 26:49
You know math fluency is more than timed tests… but what does that actually look like in your classroom tomorrow? Many teachers are at the awareness stage: they’ve read,…
Feb 23, 2026 · 19:49
Why does data always feel like the thing we don’t have time for in math? Teachers and leaders say they want students who can think critically, reason mathematically, and engage…
Feb 19, 2026 · 19:02
If math learning goals are so important, why do they feel like a checkbox? Research tells us that learning goals are critical for effective math instruction—but in classrooms and…
Feb 16, 2026 · 24:18
Every year, schools and districts roll out a new math improvement plan. The language sounds right: teacher voice, coherence, sustainability, research-based practice. But the…
Feb 12, 2026 · 24:19
Ever felt like your math classroom is too noisy, too messy, or too chaotic when students are working on open-ended tasks? You're not alone. Many math teachers—and leaders—grapple…
Feb 9, 2026 · 27:23
Have you ever left a math PD session thinking, “This all sounds great… but what does it actually mean for my class tomorrow?” Teachers are hungry for professional learning that…
Feb 5, 2026 · 19:27
What do you do when students already know the math before you even teach it? This question came straight from a listener—and it’s one we don’t talk about enough. While so much…
Feb 2, 2026 · 24:34
What do you do when a teacher says, “I’m good—I don’t need help”? This real-life math coaching dilemma came straight from a listener. And if you’re a math coach or instructional…
Jan 29, 2026 · 19:15
Is your math team using the same words—but interpreting them in totally different ways? In schools and districts across the country, math leaders are working hard—but progress…
Jan 26, 2026 · 25:48
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…
Jan 22, 2026 · 23:46
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…
Jan 19, 2026 · 27:45
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…
Jan 15, 2026 · 26:18
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…
Jan 12, 2026 · 16:41
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…
Jan 8, 2026 · 20:24
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…
Jan 5, 2026 · 22:21
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…
Jan 1, 2026 · 27:11
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.”…
Dec 29, 2025 · 21:57
You’ve made big moves in your math program—but something still feels stuck. Why? After a full year of supporting school and district teams, we’re reflecting on the shifts that…
Dec 25, 2025 · 8:03
Feeling behind? Tired? Wondering if your math improvement efforts are making a difference? In this episode released on Christmas Day, Jon Orr shares a message just for…
Dec 22, 2025 · 23:46
You’re seeing growth in the data. Students are performing well. But something feels… off. Maybe they’re disengaged. Maybe they’re saying they don’t like math. Or maybe, they’re…
Dec 18, 2025 · 27:01
Ever watched a student solve 146 ÷ 12 by drawing 146 dots… one by one? In this episode, the MMM team dives into a common but frustrating classroom challenge: students who cling…
Dec 15, 2025 · 17:58
You poured your heart into teaching a key math concept—and a student tells you they’ve never even heard of it. Sound familiar? In this episode, hosts Yvette Lehman and Jon Orr…
Dec 11, 2025 · 17:24
Are your teachers reluctant to move beyond the standard algorithm—even when it clearly isn’t working for their students? In this episode, we explore a real-world example of a…
Dec 8, 2025 · 21:49
Are your multi-language learners struggling to engage in math class? You’re not alone. Many teachers recognize the issue but feel unsure how to help—especially when language…
Dec 4, 2025 · 12:42
Why are so many districts pouring resources into math PD but seeing so little classroom change? It’s not because teachers aren’t trying. It’s not about motivation or willingness.…
Dec 1, 2025 · 23:26
You're rolling out a math resource across your district—but you’re noticing that some classrooms feel scripted and disconnected from student thinking. What’s going wrong? In this…
Nov 27, 2025 · 22:27
In this episode, we share our biggest insights from the 7th annual Make Math Moments Virtual Summit. We highlight powerful sessions that explored ethical AI use, responsive…
Nov 24, 2025 · 26:30
Leading math professional learning in a large system is never simple — especially when every school wants something different. How do you support meaningful math growth without…
Nov 20, 2025 · 20:28
Your math vision prioritizes critical thinking, but can everyone on your team describe what that actually looks like in classrooms? In this episode, you’ll sit in on a real…
Nov 17, 2025 · 26:48
Do you say your math program prioritizes critical thinking, but struggle to see it in action across classrooms? Many districts include critical thinking as part of their math…
Nov 13, 2025 · 20:20
Is your school or district chasing improvement—but feeling like nothing sticks? You're not alone. Fragmentation and unclear goals might be the reason you're not seeing real…
Nov 10, 2025 · 27:08
Have you ever left a team meeting feeling confident everyone was working toward the same math goal, only to realize later that each person defined success in a different way?…
Nov 6, 2025 · 21:58
You’ve got a strong teacher, strong strategies—and still, the innovation stalls. What gives? In this episode, we tackle what’s really behind resistance in math PD and why most…
Nov 3, 2025 · 31:02
Still stuck “talking” about change, but not seeing it in action? The real roadblock to change in math may not be teacher resistance—it might be your system. Based on Jim Knight’s…
Oct 30, 2025 · 22:06
What happens to your math improvement efforts when you leave the role? Many school and district leaders assume that lack of time or teacher buy-in is the biggest barrier to…
Oct 27, 2025 · 10:23
Why does your math plan feel like it resets every time someone new steps in? You’ve seen it happen: a coordinator retires, a coach changes roles, or a principal moves on—and…
Oct 23, 2025 · 54:42
What does it really mean to be fluent in math—and are we measuring the right things in our classrooms? Math fluency is often reduced to speed drills and memorization—but true…
Oct 20, 2025 · 29:05
How do you know if your district’s mentoring and coaching efforts are actually making a difference? Too often, system and instructional leaders focus on program delivery but miss…
Oct 16, 2025 · 20:41
Fidelity matters, yet rigidity can stall growth. In this follow-up episode, we revisit the balance between fidelity and flexibility in math improvement and explore how two…
Oct 13, 2025 · 26:18
Implementing with fidelity matters—whether it’s adopting a new math resource, embedding a routine like number talks, or structuring PLCs. But fidelity is not the same as…
Oct 9, 2025 · 37:27
How do you move your students from confusion to confidence—one question at a time when Building Thinking Classrooms? If you've ever found yourself wondering how to keep every…
Oct 6, 2025 · 37:04
In this episode, we dig into the tricky question every math teacher faces: When is a calculator a helpful tool—and when does it actually rob students of valuable mathematical…
Oct 2, 2025 · 22:16
Math improvement plans don’t gain traction just by naming priorities—they gain traction when districts commit to going narrow. For one small district, that meant resisting the…
Sep 29, 2025 · 24:28
District math improvement plans can’t succeed if we try to do everything at once. For meaningful change to happen, leaders need to go narrow. In this episode, we explore why…
Sep 25, 2025 · 20:08
Do you ever feel torn between staying laser-focused on your math goals and chasing all the new opportunities that come your way? Whether it’s a conference, a webinar, or a…
Sep 22, 2025 · 30:42
How can math teachers harness AI to lighten their workload, differentiate with confidence, and boost student thinking—without losing the human touch? The AI wave isn't…
Sep 18, 2025 · 19:54
What does it look like to build Bridges in real time? In this episode, we highlight the story of a district leader who knows she can’t do the work of math improvement alone. She…
Sep 15, 2025 · 26:45
District math objectives can’t live on a slide deck. For change to happen, they need Bridges—the leaders who translate vision into action at the school and classroom level. In…
Sep 11, 2025 · 13:46
Are you letting daily emergencies steal time from what really matters in your role as a math leader? From a soaked teenager's phone to the all-too-common chaos of K–12 math…
Sep 8, 2025 · 30:22
In this episode, we explore why multi-digit multiplication continues to be the thorn in so many teachers’ sides. We talk about why sometimes we need to step back in order to step…
Sep 4, 2025 · 15:54
Are your district's math improvement plans stuck in “waiting for perfect”? What if aiming for B+ work could unlock real progress—right now? Too often in education, big ideas…
Sep 1, 2025 · 25:05
One of the most frequent questions we hear from district and school math leaders is: “How do I convince math educators to shift from always using the Gradual Release model to…
Aug 28, 2025 · 24:43
Too often, district math improvement planning happens “up there,” with big visions and system-wide goals that don’t trickle down into meaningful change at the school level. In…
Aug 25, 2025 · 22:33
A teacher asked us a fair question: “If direct instruction and practice are working, why change? While presenting at a recent conference, we were approached by a teacher with a…
Aug 21, 2025 · 28:21
In this episode, we share how one district is entering the new school year with a sharper focus in their Math District Improvement Plan. In the past, they worked from three…
Aug 18, 2025 · 28:56
Looking to build a positive math culture at the start of the school year? In this episode, we dive into why board games are more than just fun—they’re strategic tools for…
Aug 14, 2025 · 17:03
This episode is a debrief of the article Coaching for Coherence: How Instructional Coaches Lead Change in the Evaluation Era by Woulfin & Rigby (2017). We explore how math…
Aug 11, 2025 · 47:02
Are your students' math struggles rooted in what they know—or how they feel about math? If your math learners seem disengaged, anxious, or convinced they're just “not math…
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