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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.

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www.monamath.com/cubes

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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.

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

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🎧 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.

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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.

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💬 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.

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Math education is changing fast — and few people are leading that change more thoughtfully than John SanGiovanni, a math educator, district leader, and author of numerous influential books. In this episode of our math education podcast, John shares the conversations we should be having about teaching math — and what’s getting in the way.

John offers a refreshingly candid take on what’s missing from our current math dialogue — and why focusing on instructional quality, not gadgets or gimmicks, is the way forward.

💻 Links Mentioned in this Episode

Books by John SanGiovanni:

📘 Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance

📘 Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning, Grades K-8: Moving Beyond Basic Facts and Memorization

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

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🎧 Tune in now to hear the full conversation with John SanGiovanni — and explore what’s next for math instruction and curriculum design.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague who cares about reimagining math education.

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It’s here — the Word Problem Workshop book is officially out in the world!

Every teacher knows the struggle — students disengaged, confused, or quick to say, “I’m not a math person.” This book was born out of that challenge. It’s a response to years of listening to teachers, watching classrooms, and realizing something had to change.

🔗 Listen, Celebrate, and Join the Movement

🎧 Tune in to the full episode to celebrate the launch of the Word Problem Workshop book and hear the story behind it all.

💬 Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow teacher who’s ready to make math meaningful again.

📘 Grab your copy of the Word Problem Workshop book today and start building a math classroom where students thrive as thinkers and problem solvers.

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In this special episode of Math Chat, we sit down with Kassia, the brilliant editor who played an instrumental role in shaping the Word Problem Workshop book. With her keen eye and unwavering support, Kassia helped turn ideas into action, ensuring the book would resonate with teachers and make a real difference in math classrooms. Curious about the behind-the-scenes process and the heart of this book? Keep reading to get a sneak peek into our conversation!

Ready to Transform Your Math Classroom?

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This episode with Kassia provides incredible insight into the Word Problem Workshop book and the passion behind its creation. If you’re ready to revolutionize your math instruction, don’t miss out! Listen to the full episode, subscribe to Math Chat, and leave a review. Plus, grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop and access free resources and downloads. Get started today!

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So, I’m sitting here with my coffee, reflecting on how surreal it feels that Word Problem Workshop is finally a real book — something teachers can actually hold in their hands. Before it hits shelves, I wanted to take you behind the scenes of how it came to life: the “why,” the “how,” and the “who” behind every page. If you’ve ever felt like your students just don’t get it, this episode — and this book — are for you.

🔗 Ready to Dive In?

If you’ve ever watched your students groan at a word problem — this book is for you.
👉 Tune in to the full episode to hear the behind-the-scenes story of Word Problem Workshop and how it can transform your teaching.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to let us know what you think.

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Imagine walking into a classroom where math doesn’t just happen on the board, but is a lively conversation in every corner. Mark Golden’s math classroom, especially during Word Problem Workshop (WPW), is where students actively engage, ask questions, and challenge each other’s thinking. The sounds of excited voices collaborating, the visuals of students working on complex problems together, and the palpable energy of intellectual curiosity make this classroom an exciting place to be. If you’re curious about what this environment feels like in action, this segment will give you a front-row seat!

Mark’s insights into teaching, student transformation, and the Word Problem Workshop approach are just the beginning. To hear more about his journey and how you can implement these powerful strategies in your own classroom, listen to the full podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and download our latest teaching resources to keep your classroom thriving!