Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers

This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with Rob Barnett, a former teacher, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP), and author of the brand-new book Meet Every Learner’s Needs. Rob has dedicated his career to empowering educators with practical strategies to unlock the full potential of every student.In this episode, we dive into:✨ Rob’s journey into teaching and the challenges that shaped his approach.✨ The inspiring story behind the Modern Classrooms Project and its revolutionary model.✨ Key strategies from Meet Every Learner’s Needs, including how to redesign lessons, courses, and instruction to engage every student.✨ How teachers can balance supporting struggling learners and challenging advanced students.✨ Practical steps for implementing the Modern Classroom model in your classroom right away.Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a school leader, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you transform your teaching practice and meet the needs of all learners.Resources Mentioned:📘 Grab Rob’s book, Meet Every Learner’s Needs: Pre-Order Now🌐 Learn more about the Modern Classrooms Project📧 Join the Substack and stay up to date on all things Meet Every Learner’s NeedsMeet Every Learner's Needs (preorder link)https://www.meeteverylearnersneeds.org/ (book website)https://meeteverylearnersneeds.substack.com/ (newsletter)Let’s Connect:💌 Share your thoughts on this episode in the Facebook group!🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if you loved this episode!As always, keep it real. 💪Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Tips for connecting math to students’ lives and interests. Using AI to generate personalized, timely examples and pull real-world datasets. Sports and Super Bowl projects that use player stats and probability. Ideas for Google Trends, Kaggle, Google Sheets add-ons, and data simulation to make tasks relevant and hands-on.

Is your classroom ready for the second semester? This episode dives into CHAMPS strategies to help you reset routines, reestablish expectations, and create a positive learning environment. Plus, discover how AI tools can make classroom management easier than ever!💡 What You’ll Learn:How to reset your classroom routines after winter breakA step-by-step guide to using CHAMPS strategiesAI tools to track and improve classroom behaviorEngaging ways to involve students in creating a Social Contract🔗 Links:CHAMPS PostersSocial Contract Lesson Plan🤓Read More with this week's Blog Post: Classroom Management Strategies that WorkLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Start the new year with intentionality! In this episode, Kristen shares strategies to help teachers and students set meaningful goals for 2025. From reflecting on last semester to using AI tools for organization, this episode is packed with actionable tips.💡 What You’ll Learn:How to reflect on last semester to guide your goal-settingTeacher-friendly goal-setting strategies (with AI support!)Engaging activities to help students create and track their own goals\🤿Dive Deeper by Reading this Episode's Blog Post: Student Goal Setting for 2025🔗 Resource Links: Goal Setting Freebie DownloadLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

🎉 Most Listened to in 2024! Replay of Ep 51: (Re)Building Thinking Classrooms: Consolidating + Note-Taking 🎉Back by popular demand, this episode blew up in 2024, and we’re bringing it back to give you all the tools to level up your Thinking Classroom! Whether you’re diving into Building Thinking Classrooms for the first time or refining your strategies, this episode is a must-listen.🌟 What Makes This Episode a Fan Favorite:Master the art of consolidation: Learn how to anchor learning through student discussions, starting from the bottom up.Notes that matter: Discover a simple, student-centered 6-step approach to note-taking that sticks.Pro tips for BTC success: Walk away with actionable strategies to make consolidating and note-taking a breeze.💡 Why You’ll Love It:Practical examples to make student-led consolidation work in your classroom.Tips to transform messy notes into meaningful learning artifacts.A breakdown of the 6-step note-taking plan that works for any math topic.📚 Resources Mentioned:Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions by Margaret Smith and Mary Kay SteinThis Poolside PD gem is packed with ideas to take your Thinking Classroom to the next level. 🌊 Whether it’s your first listen or your fiftieth, get ready to transform your teaching game! 🚀Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

🎉 Most Listened to in 2024! Replay of Ep 58: Unlock Classroom Routine: Essential Math Class Structure Tips 🎉We’re bringing back one of your absolute favorites from 2024! This episode topped the charts because you loved the actionable strategies and clear structure ideas to make your math classroom run like a dream. 🚀👩‍🏫 What to Listen For:Why routines matter: Find out how consistency reduces student anxiety and sets the tone for a calm, productive classroom.The magic of predictability: Learn how a structured cadence can create a safe learning environment where students thrive.Step-by-step examples: Whether you have a 50-minute or 80-minute period, you’ll get sample cadences you can implement tomorrow. 🎯💡 Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss:Entry routines that start the day right 🏁Engaging problem-solving tasks to fire up student thinking 🔥Mini-lessons that deliver big results in a small time frame ✍️Efficient in-class practice and purposeful exit tickets 📝Sample Cadences for Success:50-Minute Periods: From warm-ups to practice, every minute is maximized.80-Minute Periods: A deeper dive for block schedules.🔗 Resources Mentioned:EdTomorrow’s First Five resource: A perfect complement to your routine-building toolkit.If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to jump in—and if you loved it before, listen again to solidify these essential tips! 💪Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

✨ Reflect and Reset: Preparing for a Fresh Start in JanuaryAs the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the semester and prepare for a fresh start in January. ✨ In this episode, Kristen shares strategies to help you and your students reflect on progress, reset your classroom for the new year, and recharge over winter break.💡 What You’ll Learn:Reflection activities to help students analyze their growth and set goalsTips for resetting your classroom routines and environmentIdeas for recharging yourself during the break🎯Reflecting on the semester, preparing for a new year in the classroom, resetting classroom routines, teacher self-care tips, student goal setting activities, new year classroom prepLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

✨ Preparing for Semester Exams: Tips for Teachers and StudentsFeeling the pressure of semester exams? 📝 In this episode, Kristen shares her favorite tips to help teachers and students prepare for exams with confidence and less stress. Learn how to run effective review sessions, support students with test anxiety, and streamline your grading process so you can head into winter break feeling accomplished! 🎄💡 What You’ll Learn:Effective strategies for running engaging, targeted review sessionsTips for helping students manage test anxiety and build confidenceTime-saving techniques for teachers, from grading rubrics to group feedback🎯Preparing for semester exams, test prep strategies for teachers, managing test anxiety, classroom review games, semester exam tips for students and teachers, time-saving grading tipsLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

✨ The Gift Wrap Challenge: A Hands-On Math ActivityBring holiday cheer into your math classroom with the Gift Wrap Challenge! 🎁 In this episode, Kristen shares how this hands-on activity engages students with real-world math during the holiday season. Learn how to use this fun challenge to teach geometry, algebra, and problem-solving—all while keeping students excited about math!💡 What You’ll Learn:What the Gift Wrap Challenge is and how it works.Why students love this hands-on, real-world math activity.Tips for successfully implementing it in your classroom.🔗 Links:🎁Gift Wrap ChallengeGift Wrap Challenge, holiday math activities, real-world math problems, hands-on geometry lessons, festive classroom activities, math challenges for DecemberLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

✨ Inside the Episode:With the holidays right around the corner, keeping classroom behavior on track can feel like a challenge! 🎄 In this episode, Kristen shares practical strategies to manage classroom energy and maintain a positive learning environment during the busiest time of the year. From brain breaks to flexible seating, you’ll learn how to channel holiday excitement into productive learning. Plus, discover how her CHAMPS posters and Social Contract can help you set clear expectations and build a classroom community that thrives—even during the holidays! 🙌💡 What You’ll Learn:Strategies for Managing Classroom Energy: Learn how to use brain breaks, flexible seating, and holiday-themed lessons to keep students engaged and on task.🎁 CHAMPS System + Posters: A classroom management tool that sets clear expectations for student behavior during different activities.🤝 Social Contract: A collaborative approach to behavior management that fosters accountability and community.Keep Your Classroom Positive: Tips for maintaining a structured, fun, and respectful classroom during the holiday season.🔗 Links:CHAMPS PostersSocial ContractProject-Based Algebra Teachers MembershipLet’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.Connect with Kristen:Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!