Honest Math Chat

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.

Recent Episodes
  • 149: Common Mistakes That Shut Down Math Discussions (And What to Do Instead)
    May 26, 2025 – 13:22
  • 148: Plucking Pebbles - Small Shifts That Transform Math Instruction with Jon Orr & Kyle Pearce
    May 22, 2025 – 32:02
  • 147: Beyond the Curriculum - SHAPE-ing Math Success at the School Level
    May 19, 2025 – 15:16
  • 146: Curriculum Selection - 3 Common mistakes to avoid
    May 12, 2025 – 13:44
  • 145: Number Sense with Christina Tondevold
    May 8, 2025 – 43:18
  • 144 The Problem with "Yet"
    May 4, 2025 – 21:16
  • 143: Interview Christopher Danielson
    Apr 28, 2025 – 33:37
  • 142: Hard Math Problems are Scary
    Apr 21, 2025 – 17:49
  • 141: 5 Quick Math Talk Strategies to Spark Classroom Conversations
    Apr 14, 2025 – 13:46
  • 140: Understanding Comparison Problems in Math
    Apr 7, 2025 – 17:58
  • 139: Why Every Classroom Needs Productive Struggle in Math
    Mar 31, 2025 – 15:25
  • 138: Break Free from Script Planning a Math Lesson
    Mar 24, 2025 – 12:37
  • 137: Serving Up Problem Solving: A Slice of Math Joy
    Mar 14, 2025 – 11:48
  • 136: You're not the only expert in the room (My NCTM session in podcast form!)
    Oct 28, 2024 – 24:29
  • 135: How to get students to SHOW their reasoning
    Oct 21, 2024 – 17:32
  • 134: Are your students thinking? How do you know?
    Oct 14, 2024 – 13:46
  • 133: 3 Reasons Why Math Intervention Programs Don't Work, with Juliana Tapper
    Oct 7, 2024 – 30:41
  • 132: Math Grades: What should I grade?
    Sep 30, 2024 – 13:14
  • 131: Counting in Math with Collections: Interview with Kathy Minas
    Sep 23, 2024 – 26:07
  • 130: 3 Things You’re Missing in Math Community
    Sep 16, 2024 – 17:58
  • 129: Start the School Year with High Math Engagement
    Sep 9, 2024 – 11:06
  • 128: What are the 5 strands of math proficiency?
    Sep 2, 2024 – 29:08
  • 127: Classroom Management, an Interview with Jenna from That Strong Teacher
    Aug 26, 2024 – 33:45
  • 126: The only classroom "rule" you need for classroom management in Math Class
    Aug 19, 2024 – 13:07
  • 125: 3 Mistakes to Avoid when Planning for the Year
    Aug 12, 2024 – 13:01
  • 124: Word Problem Workshop - What is it & Why you need it this school year
    Aug 5, 2024 – 11:07
  • 123: Curriculum vs. Teacher Created - The Pros & Cons
    Jul 29, 2024 – 12:17
  • 122: Schoolwide math norms you need!
    Jul 22, 2024 – 10:31
  • 121: What is student-centered learning?
    Jul 15, 2024 – 19:21
  • 120: Want a math coach or Math PD but can't afford it? Do this!
    Jul 8, 2024 – 11:40
  • 119: Math Teacher Power Moves to Empower Mathematicians
    Jul 1, 2024 – 13:06
  • 118: The Opposite of I Do, We Do, You Do in Math Class
    Jun 24, 2024 – 19:06
  • 117: Collaborative Math Coaching with Nicora Placa
    Jun 17, 2024 – 38:17
  • 116: Simple Steps to Help Students Access the Math Word Problem
    Jun 10, 2024 – 10:58
  • 115: Trigger Warning for People Entering My Thinking Classroom
    Jun 3, 2024 – 10:36
  • 114: Practical Teaching Ideas for Teaching Black History 365, an Interview with Dawnavyn James of @QueendomTeaching
    May 27, 2024 – 37:37
  • 113: The Only 3 Questions You Need to Ask
    May 20, 2024 – 11:10
  • 112: Do Less to Let Kids Lead
    May 13, 2024 – 10:57
  • 111: Effective Math Conferences
    May 6, 2024 – 13:29
  • 110: Building Thinking Classroom with Maegan Giroux
    Apr 29, 2024 – 45:32
  • 109: New Math: How to Get Everyone On Board
    Apr 22, 2024 – 09:58
  • 108: Testing Season: How to not stress about standardized tests
    Apr 15, 2024 – 10:37
  • 107: Math Discussions: 3 Ways to Get Students to Engage
    Apr 8, 2024 – 11:03
  • 106: Using Math Manipulatives in Upper Elementary with Brittany Hege of Mix and Math
    Apr 1, 2024 – 40:29
  • 105: Professional Learning & Coaching in the Math Classroom
    Mar 25, 2024 – 17:43
  • 104: Differentiating Word Problems
    Mar 18, 2024 – 14:34
  • 103: Practical Manipulatives with Kimberly Rimbey
    Mar 11, 2024 – 39:55
  • 102: Talk Less so Students Talk More
    Mar 4, 2024 – 10:15
  • 101: Math Problem Types for Addition & Subtraction
    Feb 26, 2024 – 12:54
  • 100: 4 Ways to Integrate Math with Social Studies
    Feb 19, 2024 – 12:12
Recent Reviews
  • Susann S
    Broadening my horizon one problem at a time
    So, I don’t even teach Math, but I love this podcast. Listen to it I the car while on autopilot to do some brain exercises in my head. 1. I love Mona’s voice. 2. I’m SO impressed with how much science there actually is to learning Math. 3. Can I please go back to 2nd grade and learn Math from someone who learned from Mona?
  • GiRLiFE Empowerment
    Love!!
    Empowering, engaging and fantastic 🩷🩷. So glad I found this podcast!!
  • Elkieronski
    Relatable, engaging, and fun
    Mona is so easy to listen to and talks in a way that brings you right on the journey with her. Quick tidbits to engage educators in thoughtful reflection and the constant reminder that you don’t have to be an expert but can find comfort in doing what is manageable. These simple changes and adjustments to practices have impact.
  • Meghan Hein
    Inspiring Listen
    I recently found Mona’s podcast and have been devouring precious episodes this summer. Every single episode is packed with inspirational take aways that I feel equipped to use with my own students. I love her passion for making math joyful and teaching it in a way that differs so much from the negative experiences I had learning math as a student! Mona is so talented! I am grateful for the chance to glean from her knowledge as I follow along with her here each week!
  • swamp frog first
    Engaging Math Shares
    I LOVE learning new strategies, activities, and ideas that will help me make my math lessons come alive for my students. Mona has a very engaging way of sharing that makes the listener want to explore more. Coming from the heart of a former math scaredy-cat, this podcast has helped me become more confident in designing math experiences for my third graders.
  • msmazursexplorers
    Also a math avoider
    Mona makes challenging (for me) math pedagogy easier to understand and easy to try. I have learned a lot from Mona and her guests this past year. I still struggle to embrace teaching math, but these bite size podcasts are perfect to push me forward in practice. I download and listen during my commute.
  • MooreMama812
    Actionable Take Aways Every time!
    I love the way Mona breaks down what’s working in her math class with research based practices and gives tips and tricks to get these working in your room! I’ve been loving the series in math practices—something we always see but rarely unpack!
  • CLeiby123abcs
    Inspiring!
    This podcast inspires me to constantly be growing and adapting to improve my teaching. I love the mini series and this podcast always starts my day out on the right foot before getting into the classroom. Great podcast for those who love math, and for those who are learning to love math.
  • britmichk
    Honest math chats!
    I love exploring honest math chats! I always get take aways that I am able to apply in the classroom the same day or planned into a new lesson! If you are looking to expand your knowledge on how to be more effective with math in the classroom this is your podcast!
  • Tuckrr8
    Incredible Math Podcast!
    I’ve learned so much about teaching math from this podcast. Mona is incredible to listen to and learn from.
  • Culture-Centered Educator
    Truly Honest, Truly Helpful!
    Thank you, Mona, for all the amazing and practical tips you share for how to connect with students and help them love math. You have helped me as an educator to reframe my own mindset around thinking about myself as a mathematician. I love it!
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.