The case for practice and the power of Math Corps with Alex Kontorovich (Ep 52)
Chalk & Talk28 Juli 2025

The case for practice and the power of Math Corps with Alex Kontorovich (Ep 52)

In this episode, Anna Stokke has an engaging conversation Dr. Alex Kontorovich, a math professor at Rutgers University with a strong passion for math outreach. They explore why practice in math is often undervalued compared to disciplines like music or sports. They also discuss Math Corps, which is a summer math program for kids that combines evidence-based learning strategies with high expectations. Alex recently founded a Math Corps chapter in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The episode wraps up with a lively discussion about A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart, sparked by a comment from a listener. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a mathematician, or simply someone interested in education, this episode has something for you.

This episode is available in video at www.youtube.com/@chalktalk-stokke

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:02:54] The value of math practice

[00:08:11] Engaging in math outreach

[00:11:44] Rutgers Math Corps: Structure and curriculum

[00:21:41] When research confirms what experience already knew

[00:24:05] Why times tables fluency matters

[00:30:07] Science of learning techniques in Math Corps

[00:35:42] Using hand gestures and building classroom culture

[00:40:01] Gamification

[00:42:23] Why well-meaning schools still produce poor results

[00:49:37] Discussion on A Mathematician's Lament

[01:16:03] Conclusion and final thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

How we learn: Naïve, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-mrwn2-18adce0

Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jawpr-181e0c3

Applying cognitive science to education with Daniel Willingham https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-szugf-149dff1

Modern relevance in the math curriculum with Brian Conrad https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gek66-148967a

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-52-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-52-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(81)

How Two Teachers Turned Math Achievement Around with Max and Todd (Ep 80)

How Two Teachers Turned Math Achievement Around with Max and Todd (Ep 80)

In this episode, Anna is joined by two elementary school teachers from California who are appearing anonymously so they can speak candidly about their experiences. Both teach at a school where math ac...

11 Sep 1h 18min

Math Fact Crisis, Two Years Later with Brian Poncy (Ep 79)

Math Fact Crisis, Two Years Later with Brian Poncy (Ep 79)

In this episode, Anna is joined by returning guest Dr. Brian Poncy to discuss math fact fluency and whether improving students’ fluency with basic number operations leads to better overall math achiev...

28 Aug 58min

The Science and Craft of Great Teaching with Nidhi Sachdeva and Paul Kirschner (Ep 78)

The Science and Craft of Great Teaching with Nidhi Sachdeva and Paul Kirschner (Ep 78)

In this episode, Anna is joined by returning guests Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva and Dr. Paul Kirschner, authors of the upcoming book Becoming an Expert Teacher: Deliberate Practice for Effective Teaching. They...

14 Aug 1h 12min

Five math myths that are holding students back (Ep 77)

Five math myths that are holding students back (Ep 77)

In this solo episode, Anna Stokke explores five common misconceptions in math education that may sound convincing but aren't supported by high-quality evidence. This episode is based on a chapter she ...

31 Juli 22min

The Story Behind Mississippi’s Education Turnaround with Rachel Canter (Ep 76)

The Story Behind Mississippi’s Education Turnaround with Rachel Canter (Ep 76)

In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Rachel Canter, Director of Education Policy for the Reinventing America's Schools Project and author of the report Inside the Mississippi Marathon. They explo...

17 Juli 59min

How high expectations drive student achievement with Doug Lemov (Ep 75)

How high expectations drive student achievement with Doug Lemov (Ep 75)

In this episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion and one of the most influential voices on effective teaching practice. They discuss educational equity and why str...

3 Juli 1h 5min

Mailbag II:  Math standards, teacher content knowledge, and more with Jonathan Regino (Ep 74)

Mailbag II: Math standards, teacher content knowledge, and more with Jonathan Regino (Ep 74)

In this special two-part Chalk & Talk mailbag series, Anna Stokke is joined by Jonathan Regino, Pre-K–12 Supervisor of Math at Interboro School District, to answer questions submitted by listeners. In...

19 Juni 53min

Mailbag I: Choosing math resources and handling mixed classes with Jon Regino

Mailbag I: Choosing math resources and handling mixed classes with Jon Regino

In this special two-part Chalk & Talk mailbag episode, Anna Stokke is joined by Jonathan Regino, Pre-K–12 Supervisor of Math at Interboro School District, to answer questions submitted by listeners. T...

12 Juni 41min

Populärt inom Utbildning

historiepodden-se
det-skaver
rss-bara-en-till-om-beroende-medberoende
nu-blir-det-historia
roda-vita-rosen
not-fanny-anymore
johannes-hansen-podcast
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
rss-viktmedicinpodden
allt-du-velat-veta
sa-in-i-sjalen
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
rss-traningsklubben
rss-foraldramotet-bring-lagercrantz
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
sektledare
rss-basta-livet
rss-autismandan
rss-okrystat