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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.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 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!

Send us a text

What happens when we stop teaching math as a set of steps to memorize and instead create space for students to explore, question, and discover? In this episode, we dig into how shifting our approach to math instruction can transform classrooms—and mindsets.

This episode is packed with insights and practical strategies for making math class more engaging, joyful, and effective. Tune in to hear the full conversation, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review to help us reach more educators.

💬 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend—it helps more educators discover Word Problem Workshop.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 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!

Send us a text

We’ve all heard about the importance of productive struggle in math—but what does it actually look like in practice? In this episode, I share why Grapple Time is one of the most powerful parts of Word Problem Workshop, how to prepare students to persevere, and the exact four teacher moves you can make while students are solving.

Wondering what this looks like day-to-day? I walk you through my four concrete teacher moves during Grapple Time:

1. Scan – Take the first 30 seconds to see who’s stuck, who’s thriving, and where you may need to step in.
2. Walk – Move around the room neutrally, observing and jotting down strategies without telling students what’s “right.”
3. Zone In – Focus on a few students who are showing interesting strategies or who need redirection.
4. Ask – Hold brief conferences, nudging students with questions like, “What are you thinking?” or “How did you start?”

These moves keep you active and intentional without stealing the struggle from students.

🎧 Ready to learn the full details of how to facilitate Grapple Time? Listen to the full podcast episode now!
💬 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend—it helps more educators discover Word Problem Workshop.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 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!