Dr. Anna Stokke and guest Dr. Zach Groshell answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode. They cover strategies for managing varying levels of math proficiency in the classroom, critique the Building Thinking Classrooms approach, and discuss whether number talks should be prioritized for developing math fact fluency. This discussion provides practical insights and critiques on current educational practices to help teachers improve math instruction.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
02:44 Listener Question: Differentiating Direct Instruction
05:52 Zach's advice on differentiation
10:10 Listener Question: Building Thinking Classrooms
11:20 Are multiple access points effective?
15:14 Critique of Building Thinking Classrooms
19:03 Does research support using BTC?
20:53 Is everyone doing it wrong?
22:17 Observing BTC in action
23:46 Defining thinking and why mimicking is important
27:30 Permanent vs. non-permanent learning surfaces
29:04 The practicality of mini whiteboards
31:34 Advice from Anna & Zach on whether to use BTC
36:20 Listener question: Number talks and math fact fluency
37:53 Critique of number talks
40:09 Using effective methods for building math fact automaticity
42:19 Advice on mental math strategies
44:18 Using instructional time efficiently
46:21 Conclusion and book description
RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES
Ep 10 Maximizing learning through explicit instruction with Zach Groshell https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-px8h6-1443528
Ep 36 How to build automaticity with math facts: A practical guide https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3ny3k-17323a9
Ep 2 Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-zgw6i-13b33df Ep 3 The Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bksbz-13c732d
Ep 23 Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cp5xt-156072c Ep 29 Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773 Ep 30 Math Fluency matters with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e
Ep 41 Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ciqgm-17def6b
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
https://www.annastokke.com/ep-44-transcript
MUSIC
Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it
Website: www.annastokke.com
X: @rastokke
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c
Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social
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