

Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Pam Harris, Kim Montague
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 28, 2026 • 4min
#MathStratChat - January 28, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 28, 2026. 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Jan 27, 2026 • 33min
Ep 293: What Makes a Good Number Talk?
Are your Number Talks purposeful? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the when, how, and why of Number Talks, which they call Problem Talks.Talking Points:Problem Talk vs. Problem StringWhen and why to use a Problem TalkExample Problem Talk of 15 x 36Deciding whose strategy to representProblem Talks are still instructionalHow many students to chooseChoosing a rich problem For more about Problem Talks and Problem Strings, check out episodes 33 and 241. Episode 33 , Episode 241Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 21, 2026 • 3min
#MathStratChat - January 21, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 21, 2026. 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Jan 20, 2026 • 23min
Ep 292: Playing With Division and Fractions
There is much more to fractions than "cross multiply and divide". In this episode, Pam and Kim facilitate a Problem String to explore the partitive meaning of fractions.Talking Points:Fractions and divisionThe partitive meaning of fractionsEquivalent fractionsRelational reasoning in understanding fractionsScaling up or down to find equivalent, simpler problemsCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 14, 2026 • 5min
#MathStratChat - January 14, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 14, 2026. 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Jan 13, 2026 • 22min
Ep 291: Starting the Year Grounded
Part of being a good teacher is teaching with integrity and consistency. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the importance of knowing your beliefs about teaching and learning math to guide your choices and decision making.Talking Points:Mathematics is hierarchical Development of Mathematical Reasoning frameworkKnow your content, know your kidsSuccess Map frameworkDeveloping a cohesive vision for math and math teachingDecision making about the what and how of teaching mathCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 7, 2026 • 4min
#MathStratChat - January 7, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 7, 2026. 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Jan 6, 2026 • 19min
Ep 290: Looking Ahead to 2026
How did you grow in 2025? What are your goals for 2026? In this podcast, Pam and Kim reflect on 2025 and share the exciting things they are working towards in 2026.Talking Points:Recapping highlights of 2025Problem String book series completedDevelopment of Mathematical Reasoning anchor and companion booksFoundations for StrategiesNew workshops in 2025 and 2026 Free opportunities in 2026Conferences in 2026Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Dec 31, 2025 • 6min
#MathStratChat - December 31, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 31, 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Dec 30, 2025 • 25min
Ep 289: Pedagogical Moves vs Personality
All teachers are different, but we should all teach intentionally. In this episode, Kim surprises Pam with a collection of favorite "Pam-isms" and asks Pam to elaborate on whether each one is an intentional teacher move and why it is important, or if it is just her personality.Talking PointsNinety-niiiiiiiiine...Is that legal?Isn't it nice, when the answer is the question?Sit up tall, you just mathed!Math is Figure-Out-Able!Bam!Could I invite you to consider...I know you didn't, but could you?Tell us more about that.Who wants their brain to think like that?Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC


