Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 4, 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

In this episode, Pam continues comparing Mathematics Education andthe Science of Reading. Talking Points:Reading has public consensus on what it means to read; math does not have the same consensus on what it means to do math.Some see math as following steps to get answers, others as using patterns and relationships flexibly.Without agreement on what math-ing means, assessment remains messy and inconsistent.There are different interpretations of "explicit instruction" Rote mimicry doesn't build real mathematical thinking.Links:1. Comparing Mathematics Education to the Science of Reading (https://bit.ly/mathedreading)       2. YouTube video version of podcast3. Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms audiobookCheck out Pam's social media:Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 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

A lively comparison of mathematics education and the Science of Reading explores why literacy has stronger research consensus and more unified terminology. The discussion examines competing definitions of effective math teaching, the relationship between literacy and reading, and why mathematics has no direct equivalent to reading or decoding. It also considers the risks of importing literacy frameworks into math education.

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 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

A teacher's willingness (or unwillingness) to work on their craft of teaching, no matter the reason, impacts thier students. In this episode, Pam and Kim unpack one student's perspective about why teachers do or do not teach math that is figureoutable. Talking Points:How teachers respond differently to Math-is-Figure-Out-Able ideas?A student's take on 4 types of teachersHow students are impacted by different teaching beliefs and actionsHow building belief in kids' capability (and teachers' own capability) drives Math is Figure-Out-Able workshopsLinks:1. BLOG: When "Covered" Doesn't Mean Understood: Building Reasoning in Middle School Math2. Developing Mathematical Reasoning Book Series3. Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms audiobookCheck out Pam's social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 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 

What perspective and assumptions do you bring to your teaching? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the kinds of teachers they've interacted with and their own growth as teachers.Talking Points:"Inquiry-based" + Mimicking"Direct teach" + Mimicking"Inquiry-based"+ Math-ing"Direct teach" + Math-ingLinks:1. BLOG: When "Covered" Doesn't Mean Understood: Building Reasoning in Middle School Math2. Developing Mathematical Reasoning Book Series3. Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms audiobookCheck out Pam's social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 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

What can we do to keep students thinking, instead of waiting to be told what to do? In this episode Pam and Kim focus on an algebra Problem String that helps students learn to choose between strategies.Talking Points:What it mean to keep kids in "Thinking Land"How to keep students actively reasoning versus cueing them to mimic/memorize stepsHow the same instructional phrase can lead students into or out of "Thinking Land"Ask yourself: "Is this direct move keeping kids reasoning, or just cueing mimicry?"Links:1. BLOG: When "Covered" Doesn't Mean Understood: Building Reasoning in Middle School Math2. Developing Mathematical Reasoning Book SeriesCheck out Pam's social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC