Send us a text

Many classrooms use the CUBES strategy for solving word problems. It's familiar, structured, and gives students a clear process. However, in this episode, we explore how traditional CUBES may unintentionally encourage students to “hunt for clues” instead of understanding the meaning of the story. Let’s talk about how to shift from keywords to reasoning using the Word Problem Workshop approach.

In this episode, you’ll hear how we reimagine CUBES to shift students from identifying to understanding:

• C — Consider the Context: What’s the story about?
• U — Understand the Question: What is being asked?
• B — Bring Meaning to Numbers: What do the numbers represent?
• E — Examine the Situation: What is changing or happening?
• S — Support Understanding: Grapple and discuss before solving.

This small shift leads to huge gains in reasoning, confidence, and real problem-solving.

🎧 Listen + Subscribe

👉 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a review to help more math educators find it

www.monamath.com/cubes

Send us a text

What does it really look like when students thrive in math? In this inspiring episode, Kendra unpacks what it means to build thriving math communities — classrooms where every child feels seen, confident, and ready to learn. She shares practical ideas and joyful starting points that any teacher can use to bring connection and purpose to math learning.

When students thrive in math, it’s not quiet — it’s alive. You’ll hear how thriving classrooms buzz with conversation, curiosity, and confidence. Kendra paints a picture of what it looks like when students feel safe to take risks, when math talk flows naturally, and when belonging fuels learning.

💬 Connect with Kendra

Website - https://www.mathematizing247.com/

Instagram

🔗 Tune In and Build Your Thriving Math Community

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Kendra share her journey and practical steps for creating classrooms where students feel confident, capable, and connected through math.

💬 Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to make math more joyful and inclusive.

Send us a text

Think about this: how often do you hear a student say, “I can’t do this”?
You might wonder, why do they give up so easily?
But here’s the truth — it’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of confidence. It’s anxiety.

Because each of us has a Math Story.
Some stories are good. Some, not so much.
Maybe yours began with racing to be the fastest in “Around the World,” or memorizing steps to get the answer first. Maybe it’s standing at the board while the teacher asks the class, “Are they right?” — even though everyone, including you, knows you’re wrong.

So let’s stay together — and let’s help our students do the same.

🎧 Listen to the full episode

💬 Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow teacher who’s ready to bring new energy and joy to math learning.

📘 Order your copy of the Word Problem Workshop book today and start building a classroom where students think deeply, collaborate often, and love solving problems.