Chalk & Talk

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion about reading and math with Dr. Matthew Burns. He is well-known for his research in reading instruction, including research on the effectiveness of the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. He has also published research on math interventions. He gives a brief history of reading instruction and explains how ideas about how to teach reading became pervasive despite lacking scientific evidence. They then move on to discuss parallels with math instruction, which is the focus of the episode. A noticeable shift is happening in reading, with educators and policymakers now recognizing the importance of phonics and other principles from the science of reading. Math has not received the same level of attention as reading, despite being extremely important. Anna asks Matt to discuss what turned things around for reading and to offer suggestions for how we might create a similar shift for math. The resource page for this episode includes studies mentioned in the episode and resources for helping children develop automaticity with math facts. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-20-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-20-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Lakeside Path Blue Dot Sessions – General Inamorata, The Gran Dias, Tarte Tatin, Thannoid Website: www.annastokke.com X: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37 Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Adrian Mims. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Calculus Project, which is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and low-income students taking calculus, starting with support in middle school. They discuss why he started The Calculus Project, the various components of the program, and its overall impact. They talk about what he calls “the quiet crisis,” in reference to declining math scores, and why it’s important to turn that around. They discuss the importance of offering math acceleration options for middle school students. They talk about the consequence of students finding themselves in a position where they must take remedial math in university. Moreover, Dr. Mims shares some valuable advice for policy makers on how to improve math outcomes for students who have historically been underrepresented in math. This episode will be of interest to teachers, school administrators, parents, policy makers and anyone with an interest in improving math outcomes. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-19-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-19-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – No squirell commotion, Proliferate Blue Dot Sessions – Partly Sage, Cornicob, Gaena, Thannoid Website: www.annastokke.com X: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37 Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Daisy Christodoulou. Daisy is a teacher, an author and the Director of Education at No More Marking. They begin by discussing the myth that facts prevent understanding and the importance of content knowledge, with a side discussion on why it is important to memorize math facts. They discuss why basic knowledge cannot just be outsourced to computers. They talk about some common myths about exams and whether exams help students learn. Anna asks Daisy for her thoughts on a practice called ungrading. They talk about how to acquire knowledge and myths surrounding so-called 21st century skills. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in education! EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-18-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-18-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Squirrel Commotion, Prolifereate Blue Dot Sessions: Tarte Tatin, Cases to Rest, No Squirrel Commotion, Partly Sage OY Studio – Light Comedy Website: www.annastokke.com X: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37 Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

In Episode 17, Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Robin Codding to talk about timed tests and math anxiety. Robin is a psychology professor who researches math interventions, assessment tools and math anxiety. She is one of the founding members of the group The Science of Math. In this episode, Anna asks Robin to shed some light on claims that timed tests cause math anxiety. They discuss the relationship between math achievement and math anxiety, whether it's important to include timed practice in math class, how much practice is needed to become fluent with math skills, at what stage students should be engaging in timed practice, causes of math anxiety, and best ways to mitigate it. They talk about the relationship between conceptual and procedural understanding and whether productive struggle is a reasonable instructional technique. Robin also shares strategies for identifying instructional methods that are philosophy-based, rather than evidence-based. This episode is an essential resource for clearing up misconceptions about timed tests and math anxiety. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-17-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-17-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear - Kitten Blue Dot Sessions – Ivory pillow, Delmendra, Ivory Pillow, Partly Sage, Coulis Coulis Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37

In Episode 16, Anna Stokke talks to cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Willingham. Dan shares some of the strategies in his latest book, "Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning Is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy." They begin by addressing the learning styles myth. They discuss what constitutes retrieval practice in a math context and why retrieval practice is more effective than simply reading. They talk about how to help students recognize and solve variations in math problems, how to get students to use notes effectively, and distractions that hinder learning, such as cell phones and multitasking. He also offers some advice for when students face setbacks. Some of the discussion is geared towards high school or post-secondary students and their instructors, but the conversation will be useful and interesting for anyone who teaches or is interested in human learning. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-16-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-16-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear - Kitten Blue Dot Sessions – Tarte Tatin, Coulis Coulis, Balti, Are We Loose Yet, Gaena Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37

Join Anna Stokke in discussion with Dr. Brian Conrad, who is a math professor and director of undergraduate studies in math at Stanford. They discuss some modern-day applications of math, and he gives some advice for parents who wonder what type of math their kids should learn to be ready for a four-year college degree in STEM or other quantitative fields. Listeners will receive an update on what happened with the California Math Framework since the two episodes featuring Jelani Nelson (Episodes 11 & 12). As well, Brian Conrad shares examples of the many false or misleading citations he found permeating a 1000-page draft copy of the CMF. The discussion of those findings illustrates how citation misrepresentation can lead to misunderstandings about math and data science among the general public. This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, policy makers and anyone with an interest in math or education. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-15-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-15-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Tarte Tatin, Callison, Ivory Pillow, Coulis Coulis, Cases to Rest, Delmendra, Delicates Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37

Join Anna Stokke in discussion with Dr. Dan Rosen, who is a teacher and school leader. They explore the impact of stress on learning. They talk about the biology of stress, the difference between anxiety and stress, and common factors that trigger stress for students in the classroom. They also discuss misconceptions about stress. For example, stress may actually enhance learning at certain stages of the learning process. They discuss the claim that timed tests cause math anxiety and talk about practical strategies for minimizing the impact of stress in high-stakes assessments, like exams. This episode will benefit educators of all levels, from K-12 to post-secondary, regardless of the subject they teach, be it math or another field. Parents will also find it useful. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-14-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-14-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Thannoid, Little Poder, Cases to Rest, Coulis Coulis 29811401 – Mysterious Illusion OYStudio – Light Comedy Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke Threads: @rastokke37

In Episode 13, Anna Stokke discusses teaching with Patrice Bain, who is a co-author of the book Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning. Patrice was one of the first K-12 teachers to partner with cognitive scientists so that research could be conducted in a classroom setting. This episode is all about using research-based power tools to transform teaching. They discuss retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving and metacognition. Along the way, they give practical teaching tips, with a special focus on math. The strategies discussed apply to teaching any field and to both K-12 and post-secondary. In addition to a familiarity with research-based teaching strategies, Patrice brings a wealth of practical teaching experience to the conversation. This episode is a must listen for anyone who is interested in evidence-informed teaching! EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-13-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-13-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Proliferate, Kitten Blue Dot Sessions – Partly Sage, Cases to Rest, No Squirrel Commotion Purple Planet – Bright Ideas Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

This is the second episode of a two-part series featuring Dr. Jelani Nelson. He is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley. Dr. Nelson, and other STEM leaders, have publicly raised concerns about the proposed California Math Framework (CMF). In this episode, Anna Stokke and Jelani Nelson discuss whether students should have the option of accelerating in math in middle school. First, Jelani describes how he founded the non-profit AddisCoder. Jelani shares his thoughts on acceleration and discusses the impact of acceleration reforms in San Francisco. They also discuss the makeup of the CMF writing team, citation misrepresentation in the CMF, among other topics. For better or worse, California tends to lead the way when it comes to changes in education, so this episode is an important listen! The next episode of Chalk & Talk will be published on July 28. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-12-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-11-12-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Sunset Strolle, Kitten, Lake Victoria, Coulis Coulis Blue Dot Sessions – Tall Harvey Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

This is the first episode of a two-part series featuring Dr. Jelani Nelson. He is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley. Dr. Nelson, and other STEM leaders, have publicly raised concerns about the proposed California Math Framework (CMF). In this episode, much of the discussion surrounds the CMF’s promotion of data science and changes to math requirements in the University of California system. Anna Stokke and Jelani Nelson discuss what sort of math is needed for a data science degree and the crucial role of Algebra II in preparing students for careers in STEM. Jelani explains the circumstances surrounding the emergence of two high school data science courses that have been marketed as substitutes for Algebra II, despite containing minimal math content. He also addresses the claim that the CMF is equity-based. They wrap up the episode by discussing what happened when he retweeted a post about a prominent math educator charging a school district $5000 an hour in consulting fees. For better or worse, California tends to lead the way when it comes to changes in education, so this episode is an important listen! EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-11-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-11-12-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media - Catch it Purple Planet Music - Bright ideas MusicTown - Inquisitive Orchestra Yevhen Onoychenko - Comedy Detective Blue Dot Sessions - Cases to Rest Podington Bear - Coulis Coulis, Squirrel Commotion OYStudio - Light Comedy Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, as she chats with Dr. Zach Groshell. He is an instructional coach and a passionate advocate for evidence-informed teaching. They discuss whether it’s possible to expand working memory, the characteristics of a successful explicit instruction lesson, effective approaches for delivering feedback and more. They also tackle a question sent in by a listener who asked whether teaching math through open-ended problems is effective. This episode will resonate with teachers, parents and anyone interested in education. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-10-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-10-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Kitten, Camp Blue Dot Sessions – Tall Harvey, Thannoid, Squirrel Connection OYStudio – Light Comedy Lexin Music – Upbeat Documentary Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Tom Bennett. He is a teacher, author and founder of the grass roots, non-profit organization ResearchED. Tom has a captivating sense of humour, making this a great listen. They discuss many things in this episode, such as education research, group work, cell phones in schools and evidence-informed teaching. But the conversation begins with the story of ResearchED, which has started an evidence revolution in education. It all started with one tweet – as Tom Bennett calls it “The Tweet that Roared.” Anyone interested in education will enjoy this episode! EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-9-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-9-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Sunset Stroll, Camp, Proliferate Blue Dot Sessions – Cases to Rest, Partly Sage OYStudio – Light Comedy Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

In this episode math professor, Anna Stokke, interviews Lucy Crehan, who is a teacher and an author. In her book, Cleverlands, she presents her first-hand observations of the education systems in different countries. They discuss teacher qualifications in Finland and Singapore, teacher professional development in Japan and math lessons in Shanghai. They cover some commonalities in high-performing countries, such as the use of high-quality textbooks, and the role of practice and memorization in East Asian countries. The conversation then shifts to cultural differences, some of which may impact educational outcomes. If you are curious about education systems in different parts of the world, you won’t want to miss this episode! EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-8-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-8-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Lakeside Path Blue Dot Sessions – Tall Harvey, Hundred Mile Lexin Music - Upbeat Documentary OYStudio – Light Comedy Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join Anna Stokke as she interviews Dr. Barbara Oakley, an engineering professor whose work focusses on the relationship between neuroscience and social behaviour. She is an expert on learning tough subjects and has written several books for teachers and students that detail science-based techniques for learning. They cover learning techniques such as chunking and deliberate practice. They explore why being a slower learner may not necessarily be a drawback and consider whether it’s possible to catch up on math skills later in life. Dr. Oakley shares some effective study techniques and offers strategies for overcoming procrastination. Post-secondary educators and teachers will not want to miss this episode. The learning tips discussed will also be invaluable for students, parents and anyone who wants to become better at learning math. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-7-transcript EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-7-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Podington Bear – Lakeside Path, Kitten, Camp Blue Dot Sessions – Cases to Rest, Thannoid OYStudio – Light Comedy SoulProdMusic – Upbeat and Happy Music Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by two experienced teachers, Barry Garelick and JR Wilson. They have recently published a book called Traditional Math: an effective strategy that teachers feel guilty using. Throughout the interview, Barry and JR share strategies and practical advice that they have used in their own classrooms with great success. They cover topics that will resonate with teachers, including how to get students excited about math, how to effectively use the “I do, we do, you do” method of teaching and the role of understanding in math. They also discuss critical math topics that teachers should focus on, tips for teaching word problems, how to keep advanced students challenged, and how to help struggling students, among other things. This episode will be interesting to teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in math education. MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear – Camp EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-6-transcript BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE https://www.annastokke.com/ep-6-resources Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Matt Henderson, an assistant superintendent of a school division in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, challenges with online teaching, and the pervasive use of cell phones and social media. They also discuss the implications of AI, particularly ChatGPT, on education. The conversation then turns to math teaching, as Matt shares his insights on the challenges facing math teachers and approaches that have helped teachers in his school division. He also provides practical advice for new teachers. This episode a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone interested in education. MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear – Camp EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-5-transcript Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

In this episode, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Greg Ashman, an Australian teacher, writer and researcher with a wealth of knowledge on cognitive load theory. Dr. Ashman shares his journey into education writing and research, including some of the challenges he has faced along the way. He shares some pitfalls of education research studies and discusses what happened when he tried to track down the references for a claim that timed tests cause math anxiety. The conversation also includes a discussion on cognitive load theory and its implications for effective teaching. Dr. Ashman explains what good explicit instruction looks like in a math classroom and provides practical advice for new teachers. This episode is a must-listen for teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in education. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-4-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear – Camp EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-4-transcript Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join math professor Anna Stokke as she interviews Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden, a leading expert in using evidence-based methods to improve math instruction in schools. Dr. VanDerHeyden is a co-founder of The Science of Math, a group of experts advocating for evidence-based math instruction. Dr. VanDerHeyden shares the origins and goals of the Science of Math movement, as well as addressing common misconceptions. Do timed tests cause math anxiety? Do standard algorithms hinder understanding? Is explicit instruction only helpful for struggling learners? The discussion also covers what happens when kids fall behind in math, among other topics. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in education, especially teachers and parents. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-3-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear – Camp EPISODE TRANSCRIPT http://www.annastokke.com/ep-3-transcript Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Dr. Paul Kirschner, a renowned educational psychology researcher and speaker. This episode will be of interest to anyone involved in teaching, whether they work with children or adults, or simply have an interest in education. Dr. Kirschner explains how we process information in our brains, and how this can be applied to improve teaching practices. He shares insights on effective teaching techniques such as spaced practice, scaffolding, the worked example effect, among others. Additionally, he dispels some common education myths and critiques teaching methods lacking research-based evidence. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/ep-2-resources MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear – Camp EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep-2-transcript Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke

In this episode, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with mathematician and best-selling author John Mighton to discuss his passion for teaching math and his founding of JUMP Math, a charity dedicated to helping children achieve their full potential in mathematics. Mighton shares his insights on the persistent myth that some people are not wired to be good at math and how this false belief has held back many students from realizing their full potential. They discuss the science of learning and the characteristics of successful math programs, highlighting the importance of providing ample opportunities for students to practice and master foundational skills. Mighton shares practical advice for teachers on how they can assess whether math instruction programs align with the science of learning. He shares his vision for a world where all children have access to high-quality math education. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in math education. RESOURCES Principles of Instruction: Research-based strategies all teachers should know by Barak Rosenshine All Things Being Equal: Why Math is the Key to a Better World by John Mighton For the Love of Math by John Mighton MUSIC Intro and Outro music by Coma Media - Catch it Transition music by Podington Bear - Camp Website: www.annastokke.com Twitter: @rastokke EPISODE TRANSCRIPT https://www.annastokke.com/ep1-transcript