142: Hard Math Problems are Scary episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 21, 2025 · 17 MIN

142: Hard Math Problems are Scary

from Math Chat · host Mona Iehl

Send us Fan MailToday, we’re diving into a tough but important topic: Why are we so afraid to give kids hard math problems? If we’re being honest, it can feel uncomfortable to watch students struggle. We want them to feel successful, and sometimes it's tempting to step in and help too soon. But when we rescue students from struggle, we rob them of the chance to build resilience and problem-solving skills.In this episode, we’ll talk about why hard problems are essential for deep learning, what holds us back from giving students these challenges, and how we can create a classroom where students see struggle not as something to avoid but as part of the learning process. I'll also share strategies you can use tomorrow to help your students grapple with tough problems while feeling supported. Let’s get started!We are chatting about: Why do we avoid giving hard problemsWhy hard problems are essentialHow to support students through hard problemsLinks mentioned in this episode:📘 Principles to Actions

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 21, 2025

Embed this episode

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re diving into a tough but important topic: Why are we so afraid to give kids hard math problems? If we’re being honest, it can feel uncomfortable to watch students struggle. We want them to feel successful, and sometimes it's tempting to step in and help too soon. But when we rescue students from struggle, we rob them of the chance to build resilience and problem-solving skills. In this episode, we’ll talk about why hard problems are essential for deep learning, wh...

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

Ready to play

142: Hard Math Problems are Scary

0:00 17:49

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Math Chat?

This episode is 17 minutes long.

When was this Math Chat episode published?

This episode was published on April 21, 2025.

Can I download this Math Chat episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!