Fawn Nguyen
@fawnnguyen.substack.com
Mom, wife, classroom teacher for 30 years
Director, STEM Initiatives @Amplify
https://fawnnguyen.substack.com/
http://visualpatterns.org
Director, STEM Initiatives @Amplify
https://fawnnguyen.substack.com/
http://visualpatterns.org
Giving away our secret PD sauce :)
My NEW post: Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/building-a...
My NEW post: Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/building-a...
Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches
Why I keep showing up after 15 years
fawnnguyen.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Giving away our secret PD sauce :)
My NEW post: Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/building-a...
My NEW post: Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/building-a...
Just got Math Decoded by James Tanton and I'm so happy. 📚✨
It's pure James—accessible, joyful, with colorful sketches that are exactly what you need, right when you need them.
You can hear his voice on every page, kapows and all. So, so good.
www.corwin.com/books/math-d...
It's pure James—accessible, joyful, with colorful sketches that are exactly what you need, right when you need them.
You can hear his voice on every page, kapows and all. So, so good.
www.corwin.com/books/math-d...
Math Decoded
Experience the joy of answering why in math class like never before Mathematics often feels like a collection of disconnected rules, but what if you c...
www.corwin.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Just got Math Decoded by James Tanton and I'm so happy. 📚✨
It's pure James—accessible, joyful, with colorful sketches that are exactly what you need, right when you need them.
You can hear his voice on every page, kapows and all. So, so good.
www.corwin.com/books/math-d...
It's pure James—accessible, joyful, with colorful sketches that are exactly what you need, right when you need them.
You can hear his voice on every page, kapows and all. So, so good.
www.corwin.com/books/math-d...
I can't afford first class, but I prefer the exit row for my long legs. And when the flight attendant asks, "Are you willing and able to perform emergency duties...," I respond with a firm yes.
This is a lie. My yes just means that I'm ready to die with the rest of y'all.
This is a lie. My yes just means that I'm ready to die with the rest of y'all.
January 16, 2026 at 8:52 PM
I can't afford first class, but I prefer the exit row for my long legs. And when the flight attendant asks, "Are you willing and able to perform emergency duties...," I respond with a firm yes.
This is a lie. My yes just means that I'm ready to die with the rest of y'all.
This is a lie. My yes just means that I'm ready to die with the rest of y'all.
I've been making a lot of soups lately.
Has anyone done a blind taste test (like Pepsi vs Coke) to pick out the soup cooked with bay leaf vs. one without?
Has anyone done a blind taste test (like Pepsi vs Coke) to pick out the soup cooked with bay leaf vs. one without?
January 5, 2026 at 11:31 PM
I've been making a lot of soups lately.
Has anyone done a blind taste test (like Pepsi vs Coke) to pick out the soup cooked with bay leaf vs. one without?
Has anyone done a blind taste test (like Pepsi vs Coke) to pick out the soup cooked with bay leaf vs. one without?
Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope your winter break is just around the corner, and a good book 📚 or hot beverage ☕ is in your near future.
Quick share of my new post: Finding the Smallest Sum
open.substack.com/pub/fawnnguy...
Quick share of my new post: Finding the Smallest Sum
open.substack.com/pub/fawnnguy...
Find the Smallest Sum
Building a thinking task that lets students discover patterns in arithmetic sequences
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope your winter break is just around the corner, and a good book 📚 or hot beverage ☕ is in your near future.
Quick share of my new post: Finding the Smallest Sum
open.substack.com/pub/fawnnguy...
Quick share of my new post: Finding the Smallest Sum
open.substack.com/pub/fawnnguy...
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
#ElemMathChat
A4 Most recent re-learning was at NCTM and @fawnnguyen.substack.com session using Visual Patterns. I have been working with teachers and after my session of using Visual Patterns they all wanted www.visualpatterns.org and more on making connections. ❤️ Spreading the love of #Mathing.
A4 Most recent re-learning was at NCTM and @fawnnguyen.substack.com session using Visual Patterns. I have been working with teachers and after my session of using Visual Patterns they all wanted www.visualpatterns.org and more on making connections. ❤️ Spreading the love of #Mathing.
Visual Patterns
Explore these patterns with your students and watch their natural tendencies to see patterns morph into powerful algebraic thinking and reasoning. It’s an ideal routine to foster mathematical practice...
www.visualpatterns.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
#ElemMathChat
A4 Most recent re-learning was at NCTM and @fawnnguyen.substack.com session using Visual Patterns. I have been working with teachers and after my session of using Visual Patterns they all wanted www.visualpatterns.org and more on making connections. ❤️ Spreading the love of #Mathing.
A4 Most recent re-learning was at NCTM and @fawnnguyen.substack.com session using Visual Patterns. I have been working with teachers and after my session of using Visual Patterns they all wanted www.visualpatterns.org and more on making connections. ❤️ Spreading the love of #Mathing.
Happy Friday!
Finally had time to write—latest post on having students create the questions: fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-stude...
Finally had time to write—latest post on having students create the questions: fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-stude...
When Students Write the Questions
An alternative to endless practice: let students create the questions
fawnnguyen.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Happy Friday!
Finally had time to write—latest post on having students create the questions: fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-stude...
Finally had time to write—latest post on having students create the questions: fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-stude...
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
It was an amazing experience. Your care, compassion, and sense of humor made the experience so memorable. Thank you!
October 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
It was an amazing experience. Your care, compassion, and sense of humor made the experience so memorable. Thank you!
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
October 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Another example (that’s more complicated)
These are just warm ups- the key is SEEING the patterns visually
(Avoid bringing in tables in this warm up activity)
#Math @fawnnguyen.substack.com
These are just warm ups- the key is SEEING the patterns visually
(Avoid bringing in tables in this warm up activity)
#Math @fawnnguyen.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Another example (that’s more complicated)
These are just warm ups- the key is SEEING the patterns visually
(Avoid bringing in tables in this warm up activity)
#Math @fawnnguyen.substack.com
These are just warm ups- the key is SEEING the patterns visually
(Avoid bringing in tables in this warm up activity)
#Math @fawnnguyen.substack.com
Look what arrived! Just when you thought the K-5 book was big, the 6-12 is even thicker!
I've been through it already and wow—peterliljedahl.bsky.social and @webbkyle.bsky.social really delivered. You want this. 🔥
I've been through it already and wow—peterliljedahl.bsky.social and @webbkyle.bsky.social really delivered. You want this. 🔥
October 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Look what arrived! Just when you thought the K-5 book was big, the 6-12 is even thicker!
I've been through it already and wow—peterliljedahl.bsky.social and @webbkyle.bsky.social really delivered. You want this. 🔥
I've been through it already and wow—peterliljedahl.bsky.social and @webbkyle.bsky.social really delivered. You want this. 🔥
Happy Friday!
I just tried all these fun activities that you can customize!
Check out our collection of free fall activities at #AmplifyClassroom! Students estimate quantities of candy in a jar, carve pumpkins, decorate their own fall scene, and more! classroom.amplify.com/collection/6...
I just tried all these fun activities that you can customize!
Check out our collection of free fall activities at #AmplifyClassroom! Students estimate quantities of candy in a jar, carve pumpkins, decorate their own fall scene, and more! classroom.amplify.com/collection/6...
Fall Favorites
"Fall" into engaging lessons and activities! Balance different pumpkins on a scale, estimate the number of candy, practice dilations with bats–or maybe just decorate a fall scene together!
classroom.amplify.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Happy Friday!
I just tried all these fun activities that you can customize!
Check out our collection of free fall activities at #AmplifyClassroom! Students estimate quantities of candy in a jar, carve pumpkins, decorate their own fall scene, and more! classroom.amplify.com/collection/6...
I just tried all these fun activities that you can customize!
Check out our collection of free fall activities at #AmplifyClassroom! Students estimate quantities of candy in a jar, carve pumpkins, decorate their own fall scene, and more! classroom.amplify.com/collection/6...
We now officially have 500 visual patterns! 🎉
Christophe from France just shared SIX wonderful building-brick patterns he discovered while playing with his daughter. 💕
Check out visual patterns #495-500: visualpatterns.org/451-through-...
Christophe from France just shared SIX wonderful building-brick patterns he discovered while playing with his daughter. 💕
Check out visual patterns #495-500: visualpatterns.org/451-through-...
Patterns 451-500 — Visual Patterns
visualpatterns.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
We now officially have 500 visual patterns! 🎉
Christophe from France just shared SIX wonderful building-brick patterns he discovered while playing with his daughter. 💕
Check out visual patterns #495-500: visualpatterns.org/451-through-...
Christophe from France just shared SIX wonderful building-brick patterns he discovered while playing with his daughter. 💕
Check out visual patterns #495-500: visualpatterns.org/451-through-...
Really loved this episode! "Kids in math class can have different answers that are right and that they can be wrong in a smart way."
@ddmeyer.bsky.social joined Anayansi (Ana) Torres on the latest episode of Beyond My Years from Amplify.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@ddmeyer.bsky.social joined Anayansi (Ana) Torres on the latest episode of Beyond My Years from Amplify.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The right questions for the “wrong” answers, starring Dan Meyer
Podcast Episode · Beyond My Years · 10/01/2025 · 39m
podcasts.apple.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Really loved this episode! "Kids in math class can have different answers that are right and that they can be wrong in a smart way."
@ddmeyer.bsky.social joined Anayansi (Ana) Torres on the latest episode of Beyond My Years from Amplify.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
@ddmeyer.bsky.social joined Anayansi (Ana) Torres on the latest episode of Beyond My Years from Amplify.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Scary Visual Patterns via #MathPlay 🧮🎃 - How many shapes on the next bat🦇❓
#ITeachMath #MTBoS #ElemMathChat #STEM #EduSky #MathSky #MathsToday @fawnnguyen.substack.com
#ITeachMath #MTBoS #ElemMathChat #STEM #EduSky #MathSky #MathsToday @fawnnguyen.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Scary Visual Patterns via #MathPlay 🧮🎃 - How many shapes on the next bat🦇❓
#ITeachMath #MTBoS #ElemMathChat #STEM #EduSky #MathSky #MathsToday @fawnnguyen.substack.com
#ITeachMath #MTBoS #ElemMathChat #STEM #EduSky #MathSky #MathsToday @fawnnguyen.substack.com
Looking forward to NCSM in Atlanta! Hope to see you there!
It'll be my first time sharing "Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches"
Tuesday, October 14, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - International Salon 9
It'll be my first time sharing "Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches"
Tuesday, October 14, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - International Salon 9
October 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Looking forward to NCSM in Atlanta! Hope to see you there!
It'll be my first time sharing "Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches"
Tuesday, October 14, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - International Salon 9
It'll be my first time sharing "Building a PD Program for Mathematics Teachers & Coaches"
Tuesday, October 14, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - International Salon 9
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Don had such an amazing eye for a rich problem, that he always then turned into a rich, connected set of problems.
September 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Don had such an amazing eye for a rich problem, that he always then turned into a rich, connected set of problems.
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Love this post Fawn, especially this. Hope you got a good nights sleep!!
#iTeachMath
#iTeachMath
September 28, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Love this post Fawn, especially this. Hope you got a good nights sleep!!
#iTeachMath
#iTeachMath
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Tried this problem with my math club today - they’re a group of 6th and 7th graders. They solved it in ~25 minutes. Take that, AI! lol. #ITeachMath #MTBoS
NEW Post: When ChatGPT Calls Me Evil, I Know I’m Winning
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
When ChatGPT Calls Me Evil, I Know I’m Winning
What AI’s math failures can teach us about teaching math
fawnnguyen.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Tried this problem with my math club today - they’re a group of 6th and 7th graders. They solved it in ~25 minutes. Take that, AI! lol. #ITeachMath #MTBoS
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Also wanted to start strong on Thinking Classrooms (@pgliljedahl.bsky.social) work after some struggles last year. Very grateful for @fawnnguyen.substack.com's piece on giving yourself permission to go off-script. Kids especially enjoyed the Chicken Nugget Task and showed so much thinking! 3/3
September 16, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Also wanted to start strong on Thinking Classrooms (@pgliljedahl.bsky.social) work after some struggles last year. Very grateful for @fawnnguyen.substack.com's piece on giving yourself permission to go off-script. Kids especially enjoyed the Chicken Nugget Task and showed so much thinking! 3/3
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Visual Patterns 🤝 Pattern Blocks
I am currently OBSESSED, in a (mostly) healthy way, with @fawnnguyen.substack.com visual patterns and @mathforlove.bsky.social pattern blocks for kids to learn and create patterns. Ah-may-zing. Also, I am in LOVE with Mary Vail's Thinking Desks, they are phenomenal!
I am currently OBSESSED, in a (mostly) healthy way, with @fawnnguyen.substack.com visual patterns and @mathforlove.bsky.social pattern blocks for kids to learn and create patterns. Ah-may-zing. Also, I am in LOVE with Mary Vail's Thinking Desks, they are phenomenal!
September 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Visual Patterns 🤝 Pattern Blocks
I am currently OBSESSED, in a (mostly) healthy way, with @fawnnguyen.substack.com visual patterns and @mathforlove.bsky.social pattern blocks for kids to learn and create patterns. Ah-may-zing. Also, I am in LOVE with Mary Vail's Thinking Desks, they are phenomenal!
I am currently OBSESSED, in a (mostly) healthy way, with @fawnnguyen.substack.com visual patterns and @mathforlove.bsky.social pattern blocks for kids to learn and create patterns. Ah-may-zing. Also, I am in LOVE with Mary Vail's Thinking Desks, they are phenomenal!
NEW post: Don't Forget to Kube Bake
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
Don't Forget to Kube Bake
Remembering Don Steward and staying connected to classroom reality
fawnnguyen.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
NEW post: Don't Forget to Kube Bake
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
NEW Post: When ChatGPT Calls Me Evil, I Know I’m Winning
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
When ChatGPT Calls Me Evil, I Know I’m Winning
What AI’s math failures can teach us about teaching math
fawnnguyen.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
NEW Post: When ChatGPT Calls Me Evil, I Know I’m Winning
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
fawnnguyen.substack.com/p/when-chatg...
HT to @mathforlove.bsky.social for the fun riddle!
Reposted by Fawn Nguyen
Sophia (gr. 6) worked with VisualPatterns.org and wrote quirky and neat stories about each of her own two-color growing patterns. She also obtained recursive and closed formulas. Happy upcoming #MathStorytellingDay to @fawnnguyen.substack.com! naturalmath.com/2025/04/a-he... #iTeachMath #MathSky
A Heart That Continually Grows Forever or Infinitely - Natural Math
By Sophia Zhanissov (grade 6) and Maria Droujkova Some math activities are so rich in mathematical connections, inspirations, and energy! If mathematical routines were people, Growing Patterns would b...
naturalmath.com
September 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Sophia (gr. 6) worked with VisualPatterns.org and wrote quirky and neat stories about each of her own two-color growing patterns. She also obtained recursive and closed formulas. Happy upcoming #MathStorytellingDay to @fawnnguyen.substack.com! naturalmath.com/2025/04/a-he... #iTeachMath #MathSky