DebateMath Podcast
Welcome to the DebateMath Podcast, the show where we’re redefining what it means to debate in mathematics & education, where multiple sides of ideas are explored, evidence matters, and we all grow and learn from hearing each other. We know the world–and our classrooms–are not binary. So we lean into the gray area in our discussions. We invite on guests with differing viewpoints on the way math is taught, and listen in as they debate with each other. Come dig into any debate, where we listen to learn, not to prove someone wrong, but to deepen our understanding.
Episodes
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughtful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question:
What Is the Most Fun ...
This month, we're tackling a topic that's sparking heated conversations in school board meetings, parent groups, and classrooms across the country: cell phones in schools. It's a topic with no shortage of opinions. Teachers and parents often bring up mental health concerns and the impact of screen time on academic performance. At the same time, phones could be learning tools, computers in our pockets.
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In this bonus debate, Chris engages Vanessa Vakharia in a friendly debate about the best way to have a latte -- iced or hot?
-You can find Vanessa Vakharia on social media @TheMathGuru and visit her website: MathTherapy.com
Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughtful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: What Is the Most Fun Math...
Today we debate with administrators! What do you consider the qualities of a good leader? What do you wish administrators thought about more? Or have you ever considered becoming an administrator? Maybe someone has encouraged you to take the leap or you’re considering it on your own. We’ve known very few administrators coming from math education. Why is that? And do math teachers make good administ...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughtful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: What is the Best First St...
Continuing our back-to-school season kick-off, we wanted to keep exploring new ways to bring debate and argumentation into your math classroom. Last episode, we shared Math Wrangles. This episode, we’re excited to share a routine called Math Court. What is Math Court? How does it work? And might teachers find them powerful for student thinking and discourse? Tune in as our guests walk us through the deta...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guest to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughtful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: What is the Coolest Way to...
As we kick off the back-to-school season, we wanted to spend some time exploring new ways to bring debate and argumentation into your math classroom. Last year, we shared a few discussion and debate routines to help get meaningful conversations started. This year, we’re taking things a step further by highlighting how brilliant educators are building deeper activities around mathematical argumentation an...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughtful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: What is the Best Way to S...
You’ve probably heard it before—claims about how the brain learns best or teaching moves justified by neuroscience. These ideas have shaped classrooms, professional development, and even policy. But here’s the question we’re asking today: Have we gone too far?
In this Hot Seat, we’re joined by two guests who will be arguing that math education over-relies on brain-ba...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guest (Deborah) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question:
Which is better: bar graphs or pie charts?
In our last Hot Seat, our guests challenged the idea that everyone is a math person. Has the idea gone too far? And in today’s Hot Seat, we’re following up on this idea with a subtle but powerful shift in language—and mindset. What if we had a word other than mathematician or math person? Join us as our Hot Seat guest invites us to rethink not just what we call our students, but how tho...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests (Vanessa & Chris) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: Is 100 a Good Approximation for 147?
You’ve probably heard it before — maybe from a teacher, a colleague, a speaker at a conference, or even yourself: “Everyone is a math person.” It’s become a kind of rallying cry in math education. A statement of belief. But is it really true? Or are we over-doing it? It came from a place of countering the narrative that we often hear from students, saying “I’m just not...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests (Jay & Steve) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
- Check out their website: 21stcenturymathassessment.com
- You can find Jay Meadow...
Let’s talk about state assessments. These exams carry enormous weight. They influence school ratings, district decisions, curriculum, teacher evaluations, and often, whether students feel successful or not. They’re designed to measure learning. To provide accountability. To ensure standards are met. But is that what we’re really getting from these tests? Is the way we assess learning narrowin...
This month’s debate is a recording from a LIVE debate that took place at the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) Conference in March of 2026.
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation&mda...
This month’s debate is a recording from a LIVE debate that took place at the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) Conference in March of 2026.
When students don’t have the prerequisite skills, do we hit pause? Or do we stay the course and fix gaps in real time? You’re working on solving equations, but integer operations are falling apart. Or you’re introducing functio...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
- You can find Pam Harris on social medi...
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