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Rounding UpAuthor: The Math Learning Center
Welcome to Rounding Up by MLC. These conversations focus on topics that are important to elementary mathematics teachers, administrators, and coaches. Rounding Up is hosted by Mike Wallus, VP of Educator Support at the Math Learning Center, home of the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. For more information on MLC, Bridges, or any of MLC's tools and educational support materials, visit mathlearningcenter.org Language: en Genres: Education, Mathematics, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Organizing Board Space to Support Reasoning & Connection, Part 2, with Dr. Tutita Casa & Katherine Mack
Episode 2
Thursday, 17 September, 2026
Organizing Board Space to Support Reasoning & Connection, Part 2, with Dr. Tutita Casa & Katherine Mack ROUNDING UP: SEASON 5 | EPISODE 2 Repositioning the classroom board as a shared space for teachers and students can create opportunities for deeper student learning and have a subtle but significant impact on students' math identities. In part 2 of this two-part series, Mike talks with Tutita Casa and Katherine Mack from the University of Connecticut about ways teachers can use the board to reflect student reasoning, draw attention to key ideas, and close a lesson without funneling students to a correct answer. BIOGRAPHIES Tutita Casa is an associate professor of elementary mathematics education at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. Her work is aimed at supporting teachers to empower students to grapple with the mathematics and engage with the discipline in ways similar to how mathematicians go about their work. Katherine Mack is a doctoral student in curriculum and instruction at the University of Connecticut. She examines how elementary teachers can facilitate mathematical discourse by repositioning the instructional board as a space that centers student reasoning and makes it visible. RESOURCES Listen to part 1 of the conversation with Tutita and Katherine. Listen to Tutita's last appearance on the podcast. TRANSCRIPT Click here for a full episode transcript. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction • Exploring Classroom Communication & Board Dynamics 02:35 - The Importance of Anchoring Tasks in Mathematics 04:52 - Understanding Shared Attention & Student Engagement 08:35 - The Role of Bookending in Classroom Discussions 11:31 - Validating Student Ideas & Understanding 13:39 - Creating a Safe Space for Incorrect Ideas 18:26 - Practical Steps for Teachers to Enhance Board Use 22:17 - Wrapping Up • Share Your Thoughts
