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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/

🔗 Listen, Learn, and Lead Change

🎧 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!

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In this episode of Math Chat, we dive deep into planning for Word Problem Workshop (WPW) and how to maximize your preparation time. Instead of focusing on what students will do, we’re shifting the focus to how students will engage with and solve math problems. Want to learn how to plan math lessons that encourage deep thinking and problem-solving? Keep reading!

When planning math lessons, we typically spend time thinking about the activities, practice problems, and worksheets. However, to truly empower students, we should focus on how they will solve the problems. This shift in focus—from the what to the how—will allow you to support students in thinking critically, making connections, and understanding math deeply. If you’re ready to revolutionize your planning, this episode will give you the insights you need.

Ready to Plan Your Next Math Lesson?

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If you’re excited to implement Word Problem Workshop in your classroom, don’t miss this episode. Listen now, subscribe for more episodes, and leave a review to share your thoughts. Plus, grab your copy of the Word Problem Workshop book and take advantage of all the free downloads and resources included.

Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

🎙️ Ep 168 - Step 1 of WPW

🎙️ Ep 169 - Step 2 of WPW

🎙️ Ep 171 - Step 3 of WPW

🎙️ Ep 173 - Step 4 of WPW

🎙️ Ep 175 - Step 5 of WPW

🎙️ Ep 178 - Mark Golden Interview

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In this episode of Math Chat, we welcome Amanda, a teacher who has completely transformed her math instruction through Word Problem Workshop (WPW). Together, we dive into the powerful shifts she’s made in her teaching practice, and how these changes have influenced her students’ growth, confidence, and love for math. If you're looking for inspiration and practical tips for your own classroom, this episode is for you!

Amanda opens up about her own experiences with math as a student and how it shaped the way she now teaches. Reflecting on her "before and after" moments, she shares how moving from a more traditional approach to Word Problem Workshop has radically changed her perspective—and her students' results.

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This episode offers a wealth of insight from a teacher who’s experienced firsthand the power of Word Problem Workshop. If you’re ready to transform your own math instruction, be sure to subscribe, listen to the full episode, and leave a review. And don’t forget to grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop: 5 Steps to Creating a Classroom of Problem Solvers—it could be the tool you need to empower your students today!

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In this episode, we dive into the power of reflection in the Word Problem Workshop (WPW). If you're an educator seeking to enhance student learning through meaningful discussions, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how adding just one simple step—Reflect—can shift your classroom dynamic and help your students internalize what they’ve learned.

How Reflection Makes Learning Stick

That’s when I introduced the “Reflect” step to WPW. Rather than wrapping up a discussion and moving on to the next topic, I began asking students to revise their work and think critically about what they had just learned. It’s a game-changer, and it all boils down to one powerful quote: “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.”—John Dewey.

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This episode offers just a glimpse of how reflection can make your math lessons more impactful. To dive deeper into these strategies, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Don't forget to check out the upcoming interview episode on October 9th—it’s going to be epic! And for those of you ready to level up your WPW routine, grab your copy of the book—pre-order it now before the bonuses disappear!