042: The Power of 'Math-ish' in Learning with Jo Boaler | September 3, 2025

Описание: ✏️ Show Notes:
What’s your math story?
In this deeply inspiring episode of Blue Glasses Math, I sit down with the one and only Jo Boaler—mathematics education researcher, author of Math-ish, and founder of YouCubed. We talk about shifting math culture from correctness to curiosity, and from isolation to collaboration. Bentley, Jo’s adorable 14-week-old puppy, joins us too—snoozing peacefully in her lap as we talk about all things math and mindset.

We explore:
Jo’s personal math story and the high school teacher who changed everything.

What “math-ish” means and why asking for an “ish number” opens up number sense.

What mathematical diversity looks like and how it challenges one-right-way math teaching.
The emotional weight of mistakes in math class—and how mathematical diversity can help.
The real reason flip and multiply is so hard for students—and how visual models shift understanding.

Advice for new (and experienced) teachers heading into a new school year.

This episode is for anyone—teachers, coaches, leaders, and parents—looking for new ways to help students see themselves as math people.
💡 Bonus: Jo shares her strategy for supporting teachers to let go of perfection and lean into curiosity—starting with just one question: "What do you think?"

🔗 Links & Resources:
📘 Math-ish by Jo Boaler: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...
🌐 YouCubed.org: https://www.youcubed.org/
🎥 Video of “ish numbers” in action: https://www.mathish.org/
📰 Pam’s Substack: Math by Mistake: https://blueglassesmath.substack.com/...

🐾 Special Guest:
A heartfelt thanks to Bentley, Jo's 14-week-old puppy, for being the calmest podcast pup we’ve ever hosted—fast asleep and spreading joy throughout the episode.

🔦 Highlights & Quotes:
“Your students’ thinking is your greatest resource.” – Jo Boaler
“When you ask for an ish number, you’re inviting kids to use number sense without fear of being wrong.”
“Mathematical diversity means valuing all the ways people think mathematically—not just the teacher’s way.”
“We’re not trained to value mistakes. But they are where the brain lights up. They’re gold.”
“It’s hard to help your own kids with math. Sometimes you just go out for ice cream and try again tomorrow.”
“Hope comes from teachers. When I feel discouraged, I go spend time with teachers doing this work.”

📢 Help Us Spread the Word:
If you loved this episode, please share it with your math educator community! And don’t forget to tag Jo (@joboaler) and me (@blueglassesmath on Substack, Instagram, and LinkedIn) when you post so we can cheer it on together. 💙

0:00 BGM Intro
00:31 Introduction to Joe Bowler's Math Journey
03:36 The Impact of Teaching Methods on Math Understanding
06:41 Exploring 'Math-ish' and Its Importance
09:27 Valuing Struggle in Math Education
12:21 The Role of Mistakes in Learning
16:02 Encouraging Mathematical Diversity
19:07 Transforming Teacher Mindsets
22:05 Visualizing Fraction Division
24:55 The Power of Student Thinking
28:03 Hope in Math Education
30:53 Advice for Teachers Starting the School Year
39:53 Introduction to Blue Glasses Math
39:58 The Perspective of Being a Math Person