Math Chat

The One Thing That Makes EVERYTHING In Your Classroom Easier!

Episode 221

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What if some of the chaos in your classroom isn't actually a behavior problem?

What if it's a routine problem?

In this episode, we're talking about one of the simplest ways to create a calmer, more confident, and more independent classroom: intentionally teaching and practicing routines.

Because routines aren't just about getting students to line up quietly or put their manipulatives away.

Great routines remove unnecessary decision making so students can focus their energy on what actually matters: learning.

And in the math classroom, routines can do even more.

When students know how to begin a problem, share their thinking, work with a partner, use materials, discuss strategies, and reflect on their learning, they spend less time trying to figure out what they're supposed to do and more time actually thinking about mathematics.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why classroom chaos is often a signal that a routine needs to be taught or strengthened

• How routines create confidence, independence, and ownership

• Why routines need to be modeled, practiced, reflected on, and practiced again

• How Thinking Routines help students focus on how they're thinking rather than what the teacher wants them to do

• Why the predictable structure of Word Problem Workshop allows the routine to fade into the background so mathematical thinking can take center stage

• How to identify the places in your classroom where a stronger routine could make everything feel easier

Resources Mentioned:

Thinking Routines Collection: monamath.com/thinking-routines

 Routines and Procedures Resource: Grab them Here 

First Week of Word Problem Workshop: K-2 Resource,  3-5 Resource