
Math is Figure-Out-Able!
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!
Latest episodes

Apr 29, 2025 • 31min
Ep 254: Preparing for a Problem String
You've chosen a Problem String to teach, but does it need any preparation? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they prepare to facilitate a Problem String.Talking Points:Is it ok to adjust a pre-written Problem String?What should you include in your 'Kim's Notes'?What will your final board layout look like?Naming specific teacher moves Practice using models ahead of timeAre pre-created models ok?Where can you find pre-written strings complete with facilitation notes and final display? https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/big Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Apr 24, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - April 23, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 23, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Apr 22, 2025 • 31min
Ep 253: Choosing a Problem String
Which Problem Strings are appropriate for your students? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss what they consider when choosing a Problem String for a classroom.Talking Points:A fraction addition example stringThings to consider when choosing a Problem String:Prewritten vs write your ownTime of yearStrategies students already ownBuilding a model vs building a strategyOrder of sophistication of strategiesBuilding a model vs strategyNew content versus review/reteachSee episodes 33, 71, 72, 163, 226, 241 for more on Problem Strings!Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Apr 17, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - April 16, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 16, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Apr 15, 2025 • 30min
Ep 252: Foundations for Multi-Digit Multiplication & Division Strategies
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit multiplication and division strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit multiplication and division: Scaling, Over and Adjust, Partial Products, FactoringTalking Points:Benefits of using diverse task typesSample of three "messy" tasks to develop:Ratio tablesArea model2 different kinds of divisionRelationship between multiplication and divisionPractice ideasGet your kit from Hand2mind here: https://www.hand2mind.com/item/foundations-for-strategies-multi-digit-multiplication-division-small-group-kitCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Apr 10, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - April 9, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 9, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Apr 8, 2025 • 33min
Ep 251: Foundations for Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction Strategies
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit addition and subtraction strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit addition and subtraction: Friendly numbers, place value, adjusting, the commutative property, decomposingTalking Points:Sequencing tasks is more than just moving from one page to the next in the teacher guideSample of three "messy" tasks to:develop number linesmake connections between addition and subtractionanalyze strategiessolidify a strategyFor more sequences, check out the Foundations for Strategies from Hand2mind!: https://www.hand2mind.com/item/foundations-for-strategies-multi-digit-addition-subtraction-small-group-kitCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Apr 3, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - April 2, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 2, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Apr 1, 2025 • 30min
Ep 250: Foundations for Single Digit Multiplication & Division Strategies
Math class is richer and more fun when the goal is more than answer-getting!In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for single digit multiplication and division: doubling, making use of ten, and partial products/quotients.Talking Points:Three sample sequence of tasks that use:A product approachStudent exploration of patternsJust in time vocabularyDifferentiation Foundations of multiplicative reasoning, area, geometryContexts to develop 3 major modelsUseful fact practiceAnchoring the learningFor more sequences, check out the Foundations for Strategies from Hand2mind!: https://www.hand2mind.com/item/foundations-for-strategies-multi-digit-addition-subtraction-small-group-kitCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Mar 27, 2025 • 5min
#MathStratChat - March 26, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!
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