Math Chat

Why Your Math Share Time Is Killing Student Engagement

Mona Iehl Episode 208

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0:00 | 9:53

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If your math share time feels disengaged, the issue might not be your students… it might be the structure. In this episode, we unpack how one common routine is quietly reducing student engagement and what simple shift can help students listen, think, and fully participate in math discussions.

What You’ll Learn:
Why bringing student work to the carpet can actually lower student engagement
What the true purpose of the share is in building student thinking and engagement
How this routine unintentionally excludes students who need engagement the most
A simple shift to increase listening, thinking, and participation
How removing distractions improves focus and student engagement during discussions

In This Episode

  •  The moment student engagement drops during share time
  •  The routine that feels right (but hurts engagement)
  •  What students are actually doing instead of listening
  •  Reframing the purpose of the share for engagement
  •  The students we unintentionally leave out
  •  The shift that increases student engagement immediately
  •  Protecting attention to build real math discussions

Free Resource
Want to increase student engagement and get students thinking more deeply in math?
⬇️ Download: 5 Questions to Ask in Math Class to Get Students Thinking
monamath.com/5questions

Work With Me
Looking to improve student engagement and math instruction across your school or district?
I offer professional development and coaching for K–8 teachers and instructional leaders.
🚸 Learn more at monamath.com/leaders