198 You’re Probably Closer Than You Think

Let’s chat—send me a text! What if creating more meaningful learning experiences in your math classroom didn’t require completely changing the way you teach?Because when teachers hear “project-based learning,” it can feel like a complete classroom makeover.Rewrite every unit. Redesign your curriculum. Stop giving direct instruction. Turn everything into a project.Nope.In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about why meaningful change happens one intentional decision at a time—and why you’re probably much closer to creating the classroom you want than you think.I’m sharing how my own classroom evolved through years of small changes in questioning, discussion, assessment, collaboration, relevance, and instructional design before project-based learning became one powerful piece of that bigger picture.And most importantly, we’re taking the pressure off becoming a “PBL teacher.”You don’t need projects everywhere.You need to find one place where students could move from knowing how to DO the mathematics to actually USING the mathematics.In this episode:Why meaningful teaching doesn’t require a complete classroom makeoverHow small instructional decisions transform classrooms over timeWhy I became an intentional instructional designer before I became a PBL teacherWhy you don’t have to become a “project-based learning teacher” to use projectsHow PBL can create real, relevant, rigorous mathematical experiencesWhy projects are one tool—not the goalThe pieces of PBL you may already be using in your classroomWhy your first project shouldn’t be your giant dream projectHow to identify one realistic place to startReady to Take Your First Step into PBL?If you love the idea of project-based learning but don’t want to completely overhaul your classroom, PBL Kickstart was created for you.Inside this $17 on-demand workshop, I’ll help you take mathematics you’re already teaching and begin turning it into a real, relevant, rigorous project-based learning experience.Sign Up for PBL KickstartYou don’t need to redesign your entire curriculum.You need one good place to start.Your Reflection QuestionWhere in your curriculum are students currently learning how to DO the math—but could have an opportunity to actually USE it?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!