MLC Bug

The Math Learning Center Blog

Our team offers insights and happenings in elementary math education and the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. 

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Tisha Jones, Assessment as a Shared Journey: Cultivating Partnerships with Families & Caregivers

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 16 Families and caregivers play an essential role in students’ success in school and in shaping their identities as learners. Therefore, establishing strong partnerships with families and caregivers is crucial for equitable teaching and learning. This episode is designed to help educators explore the importance of collaborating with families and caregivers and learn...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Ryan Flessner, What If I Don’t Understand Their Thinking?

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 15 “What do I do if I don’t understand my student’s strategy?” This is a question teachers grapple with constantly, particularly when conferring with students during class. How educators respond in moments like these can have a profound impact on students’ learning and their mathematical identities. In this episode, we talk with Ryan Flessner from Butler University...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. Cathery Yeh, Supporting Neurodiverse Students in Elementary Mathematics Classrooms

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 14 What meaning does the term neurodiverse convey and how might it impact a student’s learning experience? And how can educators think about the work of designing environments and experiences that support neurodiverse students learning mathematics? In this episode, we discuss these questions with Dr. Cathery Yeh, a professor in STEM education from the University of...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Shelly Scheafer, Assessment in the Early Years

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 13 How is the work of assessing young children different from assessing students in upper elementary grades or in grades 6–12? And what actions can we take to ensure we understand our youngest learners' thinking? Today we're talking with Shelly Scheafer, senior manager of content development with The Math Learning Center, about the ways educators can understand and...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. Victoria Jacobs, Inside Out: Examining the Meaning and Purpose of Our Questions

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 12 The questions we ask can profoundly impact our students' thinking and their mathematical identity. During this episode, we’re examining different types of questions, their purpose, and the meaning students make of them. More Episodes BIOGRAPHIES Victoria Jacobs is the Yopp Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of North Carolina...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. Karisma Morton, Understanding and Supporting Math Identity

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 11 In this episode, we will explore the connection between identity and mathematics learning. We’ll examine the factors that may have shaped our own identities and those of our students. We’ll also discuss ways to practice affirming students' identities in mathematics instruction. More Episodes BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Karisma Morton is an assistant professor of mathematics...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Sue Kim and Myuriel Von Aspen, Building Productive Partnerships

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 10 In this episode, we examine the practice of building productive student partnerships. We’ll talk about ways educators can cultivate joyful and productive partnerships and the role the educator plays once students are engaged with their partner. More Episodes BIOGRAPHIES Sue Kim is an advocate for children’s thinking and providing them a voice in learning...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. Kasi Allen, Breaking the Cycle of Math Trauma

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 9 If you are an educator, you’ve likely heard people say things like “I’m a math person.” While this may make you cringe, if you dig a bit deeper, many people can identify specific experiences that convinced them that this was true. In fact, some of you might secretly wonder if you are a math person as well. Today we’re talking with Dr. Kasi Allen about math trauma...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. Rebecca Ambrose, Helping Our Students Build a Meaningful Understanding of Geometry

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 8 As a field, mathematics education has come a long way over the past few years in describing the ways students come to understand number, quantity, place value, and even fractions. But when it comes to geometry, particularly concepts involving shape, it’s often less clear how student thinking develops. Today, we’re talking with Dr. Rebecca Ambrose about ways we can...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support

Dr. James Brickwedde, How You Say It Matters: Teacher Language Choices That Support Number Sense

ROUNDING UP: SEASON 3 | EPISODE 7 Carry the 1. Add a 0. Cross multiply. All of these are phrases that educators heard when they were growing up. This language is so ingrained that many educators use it without even thinking. But what’s the long-term impact of language like this on the development of our students’ number sense? Today, we’re talking with Dr. James Brickwedde about the impact of...
Mike Wallus, Vice President for Educator Support