Ryan Flessner
@ryanflessner.bsky.social
Professor of Teacher Education at Butler University. My passions are math education, practitioner inquiry, and equitable and just schooling for all students. Opinions are my own.
Halving and doubling was my first instinct: 8x27=4x54=2x108=216
I’m also apt to think of 25s:
8x25=200
8x2=16
200+16=216
Then I thought about expanded form and distributing the 8:
8(20)+8(7) =160+56=216
Then I thought about 8 groups of 30 and compensating:
8x30=240
8x3=24
240-24 =216
I’m also apt to think of 25s:
8x25=200
8x2=16
200+16=216
Then I thought about expanded form and distributing the 8:
8(20)+8(7) =160+56=216
Then I thought about 8 groups of 30 and compensating:
8x30=240
8x3=24
240-24 =216
November 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Halving and doubling was my first instinct: 8x27=4x54=2x108=216
I’m also apt to think of 25s:
8x25=200
8x2=16
200+16=216
Then I thought about expanded form and distributing the 8:
8(20)+8(7) =160+56=216
Then I thought about 8 groups of 30 and compensating:
8x30=240
8x3=24
240-24 =216
I’m also apt to think of 25s:
8x25=200
8x2=16
200+16=216
Then I thought about expanded form and distributing the 8:
8(20)+8(7) =160+56=216
Then I thought about 8 groups of 30 and compensating:
8x30=240
8x3=24
240-24 =216
Thank you for organizing all of this, @mnmmath.bsky.social! I have so much respect for, and fun with, this community of learners! Thank you, @latrendak.bsky.social, for hosting tonight! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Thank you for organizing all of this, @mnmmath.bsky.social! I have so much respect for, and fun with, this community of learners! Thank you, @latrendak.bsky.social, for hosting tonight! #ElemMathChat
I know I’m biased (as I’m married to @cfless), but I can attest she is definitely one of those special humans.
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 AM
I know I’m biased (as I’m married to @cfless), but I can attest she is definitely one of those special humans.
A5: I love the “Share the Share” routine. I can’t share my idea, I have to share something my partner said. If we want kids to listen to one another we have to teach them how to do so. This routine provides space for that learning to occur. #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:51 AM
A5: I love the “Share the Share” routine. I can’t share my idea, I have to share something my partner said. If we want kids to listen to one another we have to teach them how to do so. This routine provides space for that learning to occur. #ElemMathChat
Thanks for the shout out for our mentor text work, @mnmmath.bsky.social! @cfless.bsky.social and love this work and how it’s growing! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Thanks for the shout out for our mentor text work, @mnmmath.bsky.social! @cfless.bsky.social and love this work and how it’s growing! #ElemMathChat
Sometimes kids will say, “I just know.” One of my favorite questions to ask next is, “Sure, but how would you tell a younger kid to do this if they didn’t know all the things you know?” It puts those kids who are (or may be) reluctant to share ideas into the position of expert. #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Sometimes kids will say, “I just know.” One of my favorite questions to ask next is, “Sure, but how would you tell a younger kid to do this if they didn’t know all the things you know?” It puts those kids who are (or may be) reluctant to share ideas into the position of expert. #ElemMathChat
A4: One of my favorites ways to get more voices into the conversation is getting kids to turn-and-talk. I position myself by those who are quiet, shy, or haven’t shared. I lean-in-and-listen, find something to validate, and ask them to share (or ask if I can share) their idea. #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 AM
A4: One of my favorites ways to get more voices into the conversation is getting kids to turn-and-talk. I position myself by those who are quiet, shy, or haven’t shared. I lean-in-and-listen, find something to validate, and ask them to share (or ask if I can share) their idea. #ElemMathChat
I agree. The Anticipating phase was almost always my flaw when lessons crashed and burned. Once I starting making this a habit of mind, things started going so much more smoothly! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I agree. The Anticipating phase was almost always my flaw when lessons crashed and burned. Once I starting making this a habit of mind, things started going so much more smoothly! #ElemMathChat
Completely agree. Love the focus on incomplete or inaccurate work. What suggestions do you have for this student? What might this student do next? Such a great way to use other math minds to further thinking for everyone!
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Completely agree. Love the focus on incomplete or inaccurate work. What suggestions do you have for this student? What might this student do next? Such a great way to use other math minds to further thinking for everyone!
A2: I love to put student work samples on the doc cam. I ask students to talk about what the student was doing and why she/he/they made those choices. We dig into the work BEFORE we defer to the “expert.” EVERYONE talks about math, not just one kid doing a “show and tell.” #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 AM
A2: I love to put student work samples on the doc cam. I ask students to talk about what the student was doing and why she/he/they made those choices. We dig into the work BEFORE we defer to the “expert.” EVERYONE talks about math, not just one kid doing a “show and tell.” #ElemMathChat
Reposted by Ryan Flessner
Yes! We have to do what we want our students to do! So powerful! Part of growth mindest learning is vulnurabilitiy learning! At the end of Unit zero I share this quote - on my vision board- every year! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Yes! We have to do what we want our students to do! So powerful! Part of growth mindest learning is vulnurabilitiy learning! At the end of Unit zero I share this quote - on my vision board- every year! #ElemMathChat
I’ve never thought about it as the 3 Rs! Can I steal that?! Want to do a session together at NCTM?!
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I’ve never thought about it as the 3 Rs! Can I steal that?! Want to do a session together at NCTM?!
Reposted by Ryan Flessner
A1: Start by having routines from the beginning of the school year where exploring and conjecturing and asking questions are built into the math. That way, sharing ideas as they form is just part of the culture of learning. #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 AM
A1: Start by having routines from the beginning of the school year where exploring and conjecturing and asking questions are built into the math. That way, sharing ideas as they form is just part of the culture of learning. #ElemMathChat
A1: Relationships, relationships, relationships! Routines, routines, routines! Teachers who take risks and show vulnerability model that for kids. It’s not only about right answers. It about using what we know to figure out things we don’t. Validate kids who take risks! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 AM
A1: Relationships, relationships, relationships! Routines, routines, routines! Teachers who take risks and show vulnerability model that for kids. It’s not only about right answers. It about using what we know to figure out things we don’t. Validate kids who take risks! #ElemMathChat
Lucky to have great friends - like you @mnmmath.bsky.social - who inspire me to do the work! #ElemMathChat
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Lucky to have great friends - like you @mnmmath.bsky.social - who inspire me to do the work! #ElemMathChat
Hi. I’m Ryan. I’m a teacher educator from Indianapolis, Indiana. This week, I’ve had the chance to work with some incredible in-service teachers as we Ll think about improving our practices.
November 7, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Hi. I’m Ryan. I’m a teacher educator from Indianapolis, Indiana. This week, I’ve had the chance to work with some incredible in-service teachers as we Ll think about improving our practices.
Your team is amazing. I always learn so much and feel so inspired around all of you!
October 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Your team is amazing. I always learn so much and feel so inspired around all of you!
October 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM