Olivia Wahl
10 November 2025
In this S5E11 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, elementary educator and math coach Mona Iehl shares her transformative 5-step Word Problem Workshop method that's revolutionizing how students engage with mathematics. From "I'm not a math person" to confident problem solver—this conversation will change how you think about teaching math. 🎯 What You'll Learn: The 5 steps to creating a classroom of problem solvers (Launch, Grapple, Share, Discuss, Reflect) How to plan an entire week of word problems in ONE prep period Why student-centered methods foster student engagement and student motivation better than traditional approaches The forecasting guide that transforms lesson planning and instructional strategies How to choose problems that challenge WITHOUT overwhelming Building positive math identities through classroom belonging and student participationThis isn't just about math—it's about effective teaching that builds the whole child through culturally responsive teaching and equity in education. Resources Mentioned: 📚 Word Problem Workshop by Mona Iehl 📚 Five Practices for Orchestrating Mathematical Discussions by Peg Smith 📚 Adding It Up - Five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency Chapters: 0:00 Introduction & Preview 2:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction 3:00 Book Reveal: Word Problem Workshop 4:00 Research Foundation: Peg Smith & Five Practices 5:47 Math Identities & Personal Journey 7:00 Project-Based Learning vs. Traditional Math 8:00 Traditional Word Problems vs. Word Problem Workshop 10:00 Student-Centered Learning & Building Confidence 11:00 Five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency 12:00 Conceptual Understanding in Practice 13:00 Strategic Competence & Adaptive Reasoning 15:00 Community-Based Learning Approach 16:00 Step 1: Launch - Packing the Backpack 16:37 Step 2: Grapple - Independent Problem Solving 17:00 The Joy of Figuring It Out 18:00 Step 3: Share - Making Thinking Visible 18:30 Step 4: Discuss - Facilitating Discourse 19:00 Step 5: Reflect - John Dewey's Wisdom 20:00 The Power of Reflection (Nuthall's 20% Research) 21:00 Teacher Roles in Word Problem Workshop 22:00 Getting Curious About Student Thinking 24:00 Teacher as Scribe During Sharing 25:00 Planning Magic: A Week in One Prep 26:00 Choosing Learning Goals & Problems 27:00 The Challenge Problem Philosophy 29:00 The Forecasting Guide Tool 30:00 Planning for All Learners 31:00 Collaborative Planning Time 33:00 Overcoming Fear: First Steps for Teachers 35:00 Administrator Support & Clear Focus 37:00 Supporting Math at Home: Caregiver Tips 38:00 Modeling Mathematical Thinking 39:00 Lightning Round: Math Misconceptions 40:00 Vision for Positive Math Identity Classrooms 42:00 Equitable Access & Confident Communities 43:00 Final Thoughts: Teachers as the Most Important 44:00 Closing & Call to Action Connect with Mona: 🎙️ Math Chat Podcast 📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
0:00 / 0:00