

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

Nov 21, 2023 • 30min
Ep 179: Fake Math, Not Fake People
What does it mean when we say 'fake math' or 'less sophisticated'? Pam and Kim discuss how learning Real Math is empowering and opens a whole new world of understanding.Talking Points:Are squared numbers an important thing to own?The MatrixIt takes experience to understand perspectivesMartiansDoing 'fake math' or using a 'less sophisticated' way of thinking does not make the person fake or unsophisticatedReal math is empowering and can open up a new reality!Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 16, 2023 • 6min
#MathStratChat - November 15, 2023
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 15, 2023. 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!

Nov 14, 2023 • 29min
Ep 178: Talking Math With Your Kids: Division With Decimals
We can be our own kids' best teachers, even when it comes to gnarly division problems. In this episode Pam and Kim relay their experiences exploring decimal division with their own kids. Talking Points:A tool for holding your thinking - a ratio tableIt's not about how much you can hold in your headHelp them start with what they knowProblem Strings are not about answering just the last problemIt isn't about being able to solve every problem It's about owning the major relationships in order to think like a mathematicianCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 9, 2023 • 5min
#MathStratChat - November 8, 2023
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 8, 2023. 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!

Nov 7, 2023 • 31min
Ep 177: NCTM Conference Reflections
Recorded live from NCTM! Pam and Kim discuss some of their experiences and takeaways from the 2023 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference.Talking Points:Travel storiesAs kids grow, teachers grow as wellKnow your content know your kids to choose Problem Strings for your studentsTools that focus on answer getting stifle students reasoningUsing a neutral response to keep students and adults continue their thinkingWe all need to understand the content - teachers and learning Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Nov 2, 2023 • 4min
#MathStratChat - November 1, 2023
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 1, 2023. 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!

Oct 31, 2023 • 27min
Ep 176: Place Value and Exploding Dots
Place value is so much more than labeling digits. In this episode Pam and Kim dive into place value and common teaching practices that are necessary, but not enough.Talking Points:A fascination with the macabreTypical place value labeling and additional things you can think about to develop place valuePrecise questioning yields deeper place value thinkingWhat are Exploding Dots?More about our place value systemPracticing expanded notation is not enoughYou can register for the Place Value Mini-Workshop now! Don't miss your opportunity to transform your math teaching: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/mini Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Oct 26, 2023 • 4min
#MathStratChat - October 25, 2023
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 25, 2023. 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!

Oct 24, 2023 • 28min
Ep 175: The Most Sophisticated Division Strategy
Division is figure-out-able! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the most sophisticated strategy for division and precursors that students can begin developing in the fourth grade!Talking Points:An Equivalent Ratios Problem StringPrecursor relationshipsScaling up or Scaling downWhat makes Equivalent Ratios the most sophisticated strategy for division4th grade can begin to reason about division using the "bigger, smaller thing" to reason about division5th grade can begin to reason about equivalence Relational thinkingSee Ep 64 and 132 for more on equivalent ratios!Checkout mathisfigureoutable.com/relational-thinking for free exercises to develop the equivalent ratios strategy..Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Oct 19, 2023 • 5min
#MathStratChat - October 18, 2023
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 18, 2023. 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!


