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Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
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In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 26, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
As the end of the year gets closer, it's a great time to reflect what and who we are grateful for! In this episode, Pam and Kim pause to give thanks for the wonderful work being done around the world to make math more figureoutable. Talking Points: Grateful for YOU, listeners!Grateful for our amazing teacher Facebook groupGrateful for our Journey and JourneyLeader communitiesGrateful for the Math is FigureOutAble teamGrateful for hard questions Grateful for each otherGrateful for the jou...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 19, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
With so many models, what role do equations play? In this episode, Kim takes Pam through a Problem String that can only be modeled with equations and shares why. Talking Points: Fibonacci DayUtilizing choice is a mathematical behaviorDifferentiating instruction through strategiesSwapping, not a major strategy, but a fun oneModels vs. StrategiesEquations as models for equivalance strategiesCheck out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, m...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 12, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Understanding math is important, and fun. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the necessity of play in mathematics education and share when, where, and why they each play differently with math. Talking Points: Dr. Brad Ballinger's view that algorithms are...playful??The fun and educational value of simply playing with mathmatics How Pam and Kim differ in their purposes and preferences when playing with mathHow #MathStratChat can help you! Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHa...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 5, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
There's a brand new book for K-2 teachers! In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how strategies in early mathematics build upon each other and increase in sophistication for future learning. Talking Points: Strategies build on each other, algorithms do notThe importance of building relationships and mental actions in students' brainsGet to Ten grows up to Get to a Friendly NumberAdd Ten grows up to Add a Friendly Number How the Over and Give and Take strategies help students think outsid...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 29, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
How can we adjust our teaching to meet the needs of our students? In this episode, Pam proposes a series of rapid-fire pedagogical scenarios for Kim to respond to with her best advice. What will Kim say in 90 seconds or less? Talking Points: What to do about a student who only solves addition problems left to right?How to handle a student who always signals to pass during Problem Strings?Ways to encourage students to use strategies learned in Problem Strings when doing independent math work...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 22, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Pam and Kim went to NCSM and NCTM in Atlanta! In this episode, they share some of their favorite moments, biggest take-aways, and new insights gleaned from the sessions they attended and the people they met. Talking Points: Discussing the meaning of "algorithm" with Sarah Bush and Karen Karp, authors of The Math Pact Importance of talk moves and listening moves, with Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz, authors of Intentional Talk And Listening The joy of celebrating someone else...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 15, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
What role can technology play in mathematics education? In this episode Pam and Kim explore a Problem String for solving systems of equations using Desmos. Talking Points: Graphing systems of equationsWhere lines intersect with different parent functionsUsing graphing to understand the behavior of a cubic function and moreUsing technology as a tool to understand what's happening, not as a crutch just to get answers.Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Face...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 8, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
What is the difference between "knowing" and "owning" facts? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to help all students make the most of multiplication facts. Talking Points: How different people respond when asked to "memorize facts""Own the facts" versus "Know the facts" - Do they mean the same thing?Napkin Math Using Problem Strings to teach facts and moreHow reasoning about facts builds important multiplicative relationshipsHow reasoning in Problem Strings supports reasoning...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 1, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out the a...
Facilitating a Problem String is much more than providing a list of problems. In this episode Pam shares the moment to moment decisions she makes when facilitating a "Sticks of Gum" proportional realtionship building Problem String. Talking Points: Setting the stageHow to pull out thinking Using this string to math with teachers in professional developmentReinforcing mathematical behaviorsStrategically determining wait timeUsing potential misunderstandings as learning opportunitie...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 24, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies. Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation. Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out th...
Mathematics is everywhere, but if students don't know how to reason they may not want to engage and play with numbers or see all the opportunities to do so. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss scenarios where they play with mathematical concepts in their daily lives. Talking Points Playing with numbers...double, half, factors, multiples, etc.What numbers do they play with? House numbers, license plates, time, prices, interstate signsI Have, You Need with time and distanceWhich is a better de...
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