

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

Jun 4, 2024 • 22min
Ep 207: Fraction Multiplication Part 2
Can students reason through fraction multiplication beyond unit fractions? In this episode Pam and Kim finish out last week's Problem String and build on those relationships to reason through more complex fraction multiplication problems.Talking Points:Can building Additive and Multiplicative reasoning with whole numbers help with fraction multiplication?Does the area model just explain a procedure or can you actually reason with it?How does building reasoning about multiplying fractions using scaling impact future learning (like slope)?Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

May 30, 2024 • 4min
#MathStratChat - May 29, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 29, 2024. 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!

May 28, 2024 • 37min
Ep 206: Fraction Multiplication Part 1
This week we're kicking off our series on fraction multiplication! In this episode Pam and Kim describe a classroom's experience discovering unit fraction multiplication.Talking Points:We sometimes have to hear something multiple times for it to "click"What is 1/4 of 1/5?Suggestions for modeling fractions and whyLayers of ReunitizingHow memorized procedures can work against studentsExplicit teaching the use of a model is actually teaching a procedureCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

May 23, 2024 • 3min
#MathStratChat - May 22, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 22, 2024. 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!

May 21, 2024 • 26min
Ep 205: Beat the Calculator
When should students use calculators? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to help students determine when and for what reasons to turn to technology.Talking PointsHelp students learn judicious use of technologyGreat game: Beat the CalculatorDo you know enough to put that in your calculator?What about competition?What about speed?An easy extension for Beat the CalculatorCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

May 16, 2024 • 3min
#MathStratChat - May 15, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 15, 2024. 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!

May 14, 2024 • 29min
Ep 204: Building a Community
Is your classroom a place where students' thinking is valued? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss building a healthy classroom culture.Talking Points:Know your content, but also know your kidsMe versus us statements Walking the line of planning for the community and being part of the communityA great place to start is recognizing 'hidden' studentsNames are important, learn them, use themCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

May 9, 2024 • 3min
#MathStratChat - May 8, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 8, 2024. 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!

May 7, 2024 • 22min
Ep 203: Instructional Routines
What kind of instructional routines should you use in your classroom? In this episode Pam and Kim describe why instructional routines are useful and what makes some of their favorites shine.Talking Points:Unlocking creativity and reasoning with routineContent flexibility within routinesThe downside to one and done routinesHow to decide which routines are worth establishingWhat makes Problem Strings a great routineAre games routines?Each of our 3 favorite routinesCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

May 2, 2024 • 3min
#MathStratChat - May 1, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 1, 2024. 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!