What If Slowing Down Is the Secret to Speeding Up in Math?
You’ve probably heard the saying “Go slow to go fast” — but what does that actually look like in a math classroom? In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges teachers face: balancing the pacing guide with the reality of diverse learners. We’ll dig into why slowing down might actually be the most powerful way to accelerate math proficiency for all students.
The Myth of “More Math Equals Better Math”
Many teachers believe that giving students more practice problems is the path to stronger math skills. But what if true growth comes from focusing on quality over quantity? In this section, I share why shifting to meaningful, student-centered tasks helps build deeper understanding and long-term math success.
Why “Go Slow to Go Fast” Feels Hard — and Why It Works
As teachers, it’s tough to watch students use inefficient strategies when we know a faster one. But letting them wrestle, reflect, and reason builds lasting comprehension instead of surface-level mimicking. By embracing a slower pace in the short term, we actually set students up for faster growth in problem solving and overall math proficiency.
Defining Math Proficiency: More Than Just Fast Facts
Math success isn’t about speed alone. According to the National Research Council, math proficiency is made up of five strands: conceptual understanding, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, productive disposition, and procedural fluency. In this episode, I break down what each strand means — and why they all matter for developing confident, capable mathematicians.
Word Problem Workshop: A Strategy for Building Proficiency
The Word Problem Workshop (WPW) is a 5-step instructional strategy that can be applied to any word problem. It naturally differentiates, encourages discussion, and builds connections across strategies and levels of understanding. I’ll walk you through how WPW aligns with each strand of math proficiency and why one well-chosen problem can be more powerful than 15 practice worksheets.
Action Steps for Teachers: How to Start Going Slow
Ready to try this approach? Start by establishing a clear routine: daily problem-solving time, space for grappling, structured opportunities for discussion, and nudges to keep students productive. When you normalize confusion as part of the process, students build resilience, deeper understanding, and the confidence that comes with true math proficiency.
Join the Movement Toward Deeper Math Learning
Slowing down isn’t wasted time — it’s an investment in student growth and independence. If you’re ready to rethink your pacing and help students build lasting math proficiency, this episode is for you.
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📘 Want to go deeper? Join my Book Launch Crew and grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop when it drops this fall.
