June 19, 2025

#111 – The Lesson Design Hack That Saves Time and Increases Engagement

#111 – The Lesson Design Hack That Saves Time and Increases Engagement

Ever feel like lesson planning takes forever—and still falls flat with students? In this episode, I’m sharing the Reality Check, my go-to lesson design framework that helps you quickly build lessons that are real, relevant, and rigorous. Whether you’re designing a warm-up, full lesson, or project milestone, this hack saves time and boosts student buy-in. ✅ In this episode, you’ll learn: How I created the Reality Check after a project flop with MazerTagWhat it actually means to make math real,...

Ever feel like lesson planning takes forever—and still falls flat with students?

In this episode, I’m sharing the Reality Check, my go-to lesson design framework that helps you quickly build lessons that are real, relevant, and rigorous. Whether you’re designing a warm-up, full lesson, or project milestone, this hack saves time and boosts student buy-in.

✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How I created the Reality Check after a project flop with MazerTag
  • What it actually means to make math real, relevant, and rigorous
  • A quick example using quadratic graphing
  • How to use AI + the CRAFT framework to streamline planning
  • One small action step to improve any lesson this week

📥 Resources Mentioned:

 ➡️ Get full Access to the Reality Check training and resources with Early access to
Modern Math Teacher Membership
➡️ DM me “REALITY” and I’ll help you run your lesson through the framework together!

🎯 Key Takeaway:
 
A great lesson isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. And the Reality Check helps you design lessons that land.


Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:


More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!