Making Math Moments That Matter

Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr

<p>Wondering how to create a classroom culture where students don't want to stop exploring mathematics when the bell rings? Kyle Pearce from TapIntoTeenMinds.com and Jon Orr from MrOrr-IsAGeek.com team up to uncover how we can Make Math Moments That Matter for every student in the math classroom from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Discover how you can build easy to plan and fun to deliver math lessons that kids will not only love, but also learn from using the Making Math Moments That Matter 3-Part Framework. Get ready to learn as we interview math education influencers, engage in coaching calls with mathematics educators from around the world, and take deep dives into assessment, differentiation, student behaviour, engagement, problem solving, math fact fluency, and many other common teacher challenges as we strive to Make Math Moments That Matter. <br><br>Let’s learn how we can meet the needs of every learner in all classrooms regardless of student readiness together!<br><br>All show notes and resources can be found at MakeMathMoments.com </p>

  • 23 minutes 34 seconds
    Conceptual vs Procedural Math: What Effective Math Instruction Looks Like When You Stop Picking Sides

    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 shares a powerful realization from her math classroom experience: in striving to teach conceptually, she may have unintentionally neglected opportunities for students to build automaticity and recall. Meanwhile, Jon highlights the importance of helping students move fluidly between visual models, strategies, and algorithms.

    Together, they explore:

    • Why the “either/or” debate in math instruction is a false dichotomy
    • How different learners benefit from different approaches
    • What happens when math teaching becomes too rigid in one direction
    • The role of tutoring, parents, and community partners in shaping math success
    • Why strong math instruction should leverage strengths while building other proficiencies
    • How educators can balance reasoning, understanding, and efficiency

    This conversation is a reminder that great math teaching isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about creating access, building flexibility, and meeting students where they are.

    👉 What if the real goal isn’t picking a side… but helping students move between them?

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    16 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 29 minutes 4 seconds
    The One-Shift Strategy to Improve Your Math Lesson Planning

    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 the reality is—you’re not just planning math. You’re planning multiple subjects or courses, managing everything else on your plate, and at the same time trying to make sense of a new math curriculum, new models, and new expectations for how math instruction should look in your classroom.

    And when that happens, math planning can quickly turn into a daily cycle of planning for tomorrow, feeling behind, and trying to keep up.

    Especially when you’re trying to design math lessons that move beyond procedures and actually build student thinking, reasoning, and understanding.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • Why planning math lessons day-by-day leads to burnout
    • How to shift to unit-based math planning so you can see the big mathematical ideas
    • A simple strategy: focus on one meaningful math experience per day
    • How to reduce planning time while still improving the quality of your math instruction
    • Why unpacking the math (not just the lesson) matters when using a new curriculum
    • How to build repeatable planning routines that make math teaching more manageable
    • Ways to improve your math practice without sacrificing your time or well-being

    As you think about your next math lesson, consider this:

    What if you didn’t try to perfect everything tomorrow?

    Instead, choose one moment in your math block to focus on—one opportunity for students to think, reason, or engage more deeply with math.

    Start there. Because improving your math instruction isn’t about doing more.

    It’s about making small, intentional shifts in your math planning that build over time.

    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 lesso

    Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    13 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 30 minutes 12 seconds
    What Should Tier 2 Math Intervention Actually Look Like For Maximum Impact?

    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 and leaders. You know Tier 2 matters—but without a clear vision, it can quickly turn into reteaching the same lesson, louder and slower.

    In this episode, we unpack what effective Tier 2 math instruction really looks like, sounds like, and feels like in the classroom.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • Why Tier 2 is not just reteaching the same math lesson
    • How to structure small groups based on student thinking, not labels
    • What purposeful practice should look like for the rest of the class
    • How to use formative assessment and self-assessment (red/yellow/green) to form groups
    • Why Tier 2 should focus on targeted moves (models, misconceptions, representations)
    • How to build a classroom where students support each other, not just rely on the teacher
    • The connection between strong Tier 2 and deep understanding of math big ideas

    Take a moment and reflect:

    If someone walked into your classroom during Tier 2…
    Would they clearly see targeted support happening?

    If not, start small:

    • Identify one learning goal
    • Pull one group
    • Focus on one specific need

    That’s where powerful Tier 2 begins.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    9 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 37 minutes
    What Does “Strong Tier 1 Math Instruction” Actually Mean?

    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 like… or are we all picturing something slightly different?

    Because when terms like rigorous, engaging, and grade-level instruction aren’t clearly defined, things start to drift.

    In one classroom, students might be working through step-by-step procedures, focused on accuracy and speed. In another, they’re exploring multiple strategies, discussing their thinking, and making connections.

    And both are labeled “strong Tier 1.”

    That’s where the tension lives—not in effort, but in alignment. If we’re not clear on what we mean, it becomes really difficult to support teachers, measure progress, or build consistency across a school or system.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • What Tier 1 instruction actually means within MTSS—and why it’s designed to support most learners
    • Why staying at grade-level math matters, even when students are struggling
    • What rigor really looks like in a math classroom (and what it’s often mistaken for)
    • The difference between students completing math and students thinking mathematically
    • How to recognize when students are reasoning, representing, and explaining—not just following steps
    • Why access and entry points are essential for engagement
    • How teams can reduce “interpretation drift” and build a shared understanding across classrooms

    As you reflect on your own classroom—or the classrooms you support—consider this:

    If someone walked in during a math lesson, what would they actually see and hear?

    Would students be making sense of the math, explaining their thinking, and engaging with the task… or mostly following a set of steps?

    That small shift in awareness is where stronger Tier 1 instruction begins.

    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.

    Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    6 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 24 minutes 28 seconds
    End-of-Year Math Strategies: Finishing the School Year Strong Without Cramming

    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 the pressure to either rush through remaining math content or coast to the finish.

    This time of year creates a real tension in math instruction. Teachers want to maximize the time that’s left, but they also know that flying through math units won’t lead to retention or confidence. At the same time, no one wants to lower expectations or lose momentum in the final stretch.

    So what does strong end-of-year math instruction actually look like?

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • Why rushing through math content at the end of the year often undermines lasting math understanding
    • How to identify priority math standards and focus your remaining math time wisely
    • Why end-of-year math units like measurement, geometry, probability, or data can be powerful opportunities for applying prior math learning
    • How rich math tasks and cognitively demanding math problems can consolidate a year’s worth of math learning
    • What math coaches and math leaders can do to support teachers in making end-of-year math decisions
    • How spiraling math instruction can reduce end-of-year math pressure altogether

    If you’re feeling the pressure of end-of-year math instruction, take a step back and ask:

    What math learning is most important for students to carry forward from this year?

    Let that answer guide how you finish strong in math.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    2 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 35 minutes 57 seconds
    Math Testing Season and Anxiety: How Teachers Can Build Confidence Without Adding Pressure

    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 stress, anxiety, and even math avoidance.

    So how do we walk the line between pushing for excellence in math and protecting student confidence?

    In this episode, we unpack the difference between high expectations and pressure in math classrooms—and why they’re not the same thing.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

    • The critical difference between math expectations and math pressure
    • Why focusing on math outcomes (scores) can increase anxiety
    • How shifting to process-based goals in math reduces stress
    • What it looks like to build a math classroom culture of confidence and capability
    • How to use leading indicators (like persistence and engagement) instead of just test scores
    • Why student math identity and disposition matter just as much as achievement
    • Practical ways to support students during math testing season without lowering expectations

    If you’re heading into math testing season and want your students to feel confident—not overwhelmed—this episode will help you rethink how to maintain high expectations in math while minimizing pressure.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    30 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 31 minutes 22 seconds
    Should You Teach Standard Algorithms First? A Better Way to Build Math Fluency

    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 strategy development in math classrooms. One teacher asked a question many educators are quietly wondering: if students ultimately need to use the standard algorithm in math, why spend time exploring other strategies first?

    This debate sits at the heart of modern math instruction. Some argue that teaching the standard algorithm early provides a reliable method students can always use. Others argue that focusing too quickly on procedures can limit math reasoning, number sense, and strategy flexibility.

    In This Episode, We’ll Unpack:

    • Why the standard algorithm in math is a useful tool—but not the only one
    • How flexible math reasoning strategies build deeper number sense
    • Why students who only learn the standard algorithm often struggle with efficiency and estimation
    • How reasoning strategies strengthen understanding of math properties like distributive and associative
    • Why math fluency is about strategy choice, not just executing one procedure
    • How math teachers can help students move from “What should I do?” to “What could I do?”
    • Why the goal of math instruction is helping students choose the right mathematical tool for the problem

    If you’re navigating the balance between teaching the standard algorithm and developing deeper math reasoning, this episode will help you rethink how both can work together to build stronger mathematicians.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 24 minutes 17 seconds
    What Is Conceptual Understanding in Math? And Why It Matters for Fluency

    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 classrooms?

    A recent podcast sparked a big question: is conceptual understanding in math poorly defined? The challenge wasn’t just the definition itself, but the claim that conceptual understanding in math may be getting in the way of math fluency. In this episode, Jon Orr, Yvette Lehman, and Beth Curran unpack that tension and wrestle with a deeper issue: maybe conceptual understanding in math is not poorly defined in research, but poorly understood and inconsistently implemented in practice.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why conceptual understanding in math and math fluency should not be framed as opposing goals
    • How conceptual understanding in math supports retention, reasoning, and equitable access to math learning
    • Why poor implementation of conceptual understanding in math can create confusion and pushback
    • How overemphasizing one part of math instruction can unintentionally crowd out purposeful math practice and explicit math instruction
    • Why dips in math data should not automatically trigger a rejection of conceptual understanding in math
    • How math leaders can build coherence around what conceptual understanding in math actually looks like in math classrooms

    Ask yourself: when your team says “conceptual understanding in math,” do you all mean the same thing? If not, that may be the real math improvement work ahead.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    23 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 23 minutes 18 seconds
    Should Students Show Their Work in Math? What Teachers Should Actually Assess

    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 align with math learning goals, frustration grows — for math students and parents alike. The real issue isn’t compliance in math. It’s clarity about what we are assessing in math.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • The difference between assessing math fluency and assessing math understanding
    • Why getting the right answer in math doesn’t always prove deep math understanding
    • When requiring students to show their math thinking strengthens math learning
    • When over-requiring explanation in math can harm math confidence and math identity
    • How math leaders can support math teachers in aligning math learning goals, math success criteria, and math grading practices

    Before grading the next math assessment, ask:
    What was I trying to measure in math — accuracy or reasoning?

    Your answer should determine whether students need to show their math thinking.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    19 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 29 minutes 11 seconds
    Tier 2 Math Intervention: How Coaches and Teachers Can Use Small Groups More Effectively

    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 episode on rigorous Tier 1 math instruction: they don’t want to create opportunity gaps by slowing math down—but they also don’t know how to actually run small group math instruction after the main lesson. We also connect this to a real conversation with a district math team wrestling with Tier 2 math and Tier 3 math supports.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • Why “high/middle/low” labels get in the way of effective math small grouping
    • How CRA math (concrete–pictorial/representational–abstract) can guide flexible math groups after the lesson
    • Why CRA in math is not a ladder—and why abstract math isn’t automatically the “top group”
    • How to use formative math assessment (including exit tickets) to identify what students need next in math
    • How to structure math class so random groups drive discourse, then targeted math groups drive practice and support
    • A coaching/leadership math move: “live the math work” in a classroom for a full unit before scaling the strategy
    • Why sustained math coaching support (not one-off math PD) builds coherence in math instruction across a system

    If you’re a math leader or math coach, ask: What’s one unit where we can co-teach, gather formative math assessment daily, and build CRA-informed math small groups—so we can scale what actually works in real math classrooms?

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    16 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 21 minutes 45 seconds
    How to Prepare for Standardized Tests In Math Class Without Test Prep Mode

    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. But students don’t remember what was “taught” months ago, review feels like pulling teeth, and anxiety spikes. The firehose approach overwhelms students and often leaves teachers feeling like they have no choice but to cram harder.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    • Why end-of-year review can overwhelm students and raise anxiety
    • What Jon Orr changed after a decade of test-prep cycles (and why he stopped doing month-long review)
    • How teaching through problem solving builds real math readiness: stamina, strategy use, and resilience
    • How cumulative practice and cumulative assessment reduce the need for cramming
    • Why daily independent work time can lower testing anxiety
    • How formative assessment and progress monitoring help teachers support students without shifting into panic mode
    • What to do if it’s already March: why it’s not too late, and what to start tomorrow

    Pick one shift you can start now. Keep math instruction steady. Build habits this month that reduce anxiety now—and make next year’s testing season feel like business as usual.

    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!

    Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

    Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

    Take the assessment

    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.

    12 March 2026, 9:00 am
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