In this episode, Anna Stokke chats with Bruno Reddy, a math teacher and the creator of Times Tables Rock Stars. They discuss his journey from founding a school to creating Times Tables Rock Stars to address foundational skill gaps. Bruno shares great ideas for generating excitement in the math classroom and motivating students to practice essential math facts. They also discuss the importance of math fluency, insights from a teacher exchange in Shanghai, and effective teaching strategies such as mastery learning and variation theory. This is an energizing conversation full of useful takeaways for anyone passionate about improving math outcomes.

Times Tables Rock Stars will be running national and regional competitions in Australia and New Zealand in August, September and October, 2025. Follow their socials on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn for more information.

Times Tables Rockstars: https://ttrockstars.com

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:04:50] The origin story of Times Tables Rock Stars

[00:14:20] Global times tables competitions

[00:15:38] The impact of TTRS on math outcomes

[00:18:20] How to motivate students to practice

[00:22:56] The importance of positive math experiences

[00:28:25] Choral chants and community building

[00:30:54] Lessons learned from the Shanghai teacher exchange program

[00:34:50] Variation theory

[00:43:37] Implementing mastery learning

[00:50:28] Fluency: What most math programs get wrong

[00:52:29] The importance of times tables

[00:56:05] Finding common ground in educational debates

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-zps9p-18c1e97

Math fact crisis: Strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-u9y84-165d773

Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e

Cognitive load theory in math class with David Morkunas https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-znh5k-15f7937

How to build automaticity with math facts: A practical guide https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-3ny3k-17323a9

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-51-transcript

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Blue Dot Sessions: Avoiding the Backroom, Neatly Folded, Cornicob, Partly Sage

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Host and math professor Anna Stokke talks to Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden about a topic many Chalk & Talk listeners have asked about: universal screening in math. Amanda explains what universal screening is, why it matters, and how schools can use it to identify students who need extra support. They also discuss how to choose validated screeners, common mistakes to avoid, and how screening connects to effective intervention. This is a practical, informative episode for teachers, school leaders, and anyone looking to strengthen math instruction.

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:04:17] Overview of universal screening

[00:07:51] Universal screening in math vs reading

[00:11:36] How to find validated screening tools

[00:19:32] Should screeners match the curriculum?

[00:23:31] 145 math skills that forecast success and when to teach them

[00:29:24] The problem with making screeners too easy

[00:31:37] Is Acadience a good screening tool?

[00:32:43] Comparing reading and math screening systems

[00:37:09] Recap: What to look for in a good screener

[00:40:12] Frequency and timing of screening

[00:44:18] The growing importance of math screening

[00:48:45] Addressing teacher concerns with screening results

[00:52:31] Conclusion and final thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

The Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bksbz-13c732d

Math and the myth of ability with John Mighton https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-22c7a-139dc72

Reading and math: Parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8aj3f-1508af6

Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ciqgm-17def6b

Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pj6z6-166741e

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-50-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-50-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Podington Bear: No Squirrel Commotion

Blue Dot Sessions: Avoiding the Backroom, Momentary Ease

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

In this episode, Anna Stokke interviews The Right Honourable Sir Nick Gibb, former Minister of State for Schools in England. Nick discusses the bold, evidence-based reforms he led over a decade to reverse declining academic performance in English schools. From phonics-based reading instruction to math mastery, he explains how high expectations, rigorous curricula, and a focus on teacher training transformed outcomes—helping England rise to 4th in the world in reading on PIRLS and one of the highest-performing countries on TIMSS. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in meaningful education reform.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Introduction [00:04:05] The state of English education in 2005 [00:05:50] Problems with progressive education [00:08:12] Math teaching in England before the reforms [00:13:13] Education: A non-partisan issue [00:14:48] Learning about math teaching from Shanghai and Singapore [00:18:01] Competency-based curriculum debate [00:22:00] Reading reforms [00:26:09] Resistance to the phonics movement [00:32:10] Math reforms implemented for primary education [00:38:08] Attention to detail in curriculum development [00:41:11] Debates on educational standards [00:42:41] Reforming initial teacher training [00:48:24] The Education Endowment Foundation [00:50:21] Liberating the teaching profession [00:55:07] How the reforms improved student outcomes [00:57:42] Educational outcomes in Scotland and Wales [01:00:38] The future of education reforms [01:06:24] Advice for policymakers and advocates [01:16:00] Reflections and closing remarks

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Education myth-busting with Daisy Christodoulou https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-z2q9q-14ce080

The tweet that roared with Tom Bennett https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bpgqn-14326ef Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jc9mq-161ecac

Exploring evidence for equitable education with Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fjdnt-1685615

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/transcripts/ep-49-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.annastokke.com/resources/ep-49-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it

Oy Studio: Light comedy

Blue Dot Sessions: Avoiding the Backroom, Neatly folded, Momentary Ease, Balti

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social