

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

Dec 3, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - December 3 , 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 3, 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 2, 2025 • 16min
Ep 285: Small Shifts, Big Impact
Sometimes a little shift makes all the difference. In this episode, Pam and Kim describe the new mini workshop for introducing secondary teachers to the small shifts in their teaching that can bring reasoning into their classrooms.Talking Points:Cathy Fosnot's 'Young Mathematicians At Work'Introducing new 'mini' workshops on Transforming Teaching 6-12Bridging the gap between K-5 and secondary teachers How these workshops are accessible and affordable for both teachers and leaders.The importance of small shifts and manageable chunks of informationRegister for the workshop that's right for you at: https://mathisfigureoutable.com/mini-hubCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 26, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - November 26, 2025
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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Nov 25, 2025 • 19min
Ep 284: Grateful for...
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 journey!Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 20, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - November 19, 2025
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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Nov 18, 2025 • 23min
Ep 283: Are Equations Ever the Best Model?
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 mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 12, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - November 12, 2025
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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Nov 11, 2025 • 21min
Ep 282: Playing With Math
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 mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 5, 2025 • 2min
#MathStratChat - November 5, 2025
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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Nov 4, 2025 • 26min
Ep 281: Developing Mathematical Reasoning: The Strategies, Models, and Lessons to Teach the Big Ideas in K-2
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 outside the problemWays developing strategies allows for differentiation Purchasing Information: Developing Mathematical Reasoning: The Strategies, Models, and Lessons to Teach the Big Ideas in K-2 https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/dmrk2Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC


