Math is Figure-Out-Able!

The area model can do more than build Spatial Reasoning. It can help make sense of the major multiplication and division strategies! In this episode Pam and Kim use a Problem String to show how reasoning about area can build more sophisticated and efficient multiplicative relationships.Talking Points:Multiplication is about grouping groupsThe area model can help make sense of multiplicative relationships and propertiesChoose and celebrate efficient strategiesReasoning about area makes relationships pop so that the strategies are natural outcomes!See this blog for a picture of Pam's model in this episode: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog/ep147See Episodes 146 and 148 for more discussion of the Area ModelCheck out the new t-shirt at https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/merchandise Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 5, 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!

The area model is a great tool to help students develop multiplicative and spatial reasoning, but let's get clear on some things. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss some of the common misconceptions about the area model and show how it can be used help students make connections between area and multiplication. Talking points:What is an area model?Common misunderstanding around an area modelPlace Value Partial Products vs Smart Partial ProductsRote memorizing perspective vs Math-is-figureoutable perespectiveClosed/Discrete versus Open arraysArea models build spatial reasoning and connections of products to area and factors to dimensionsRatio Tables are better models for cranky computation problemsSee Episodes 129-133 for more about Ratio Tables and 147 and 148 for more about the Area Model.Check out the new t-shirt at https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/merchandise Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 29, 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!

There are a lot of small shifts needed in math education, and they can  have huge impacts. In this episode Pam and Kim talk about some of these shifts that will be included in the new mini workshop. This workshop will help you address the most important things to get right as a math teacher.Talking Points:Algorithms verses strategiesModels verses strategiesCommon vocabularyA few major relationships lead to the major strategiesProblem Strings versus Problem TalksMajor Strategies ebookCheck out the mini workshop https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/miniCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 22, 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!

Sure, simple fraction division is figure-out-able, but what about gnarly fractions? In this episode Pam and Kim uncover simple relationships that make division of any fractions figure-out-able!Talking points:What happens when the fractions aren't as nice, especially fractions where their denominators are not factors of each other?Thinking quotitivelyThe connection between division and fractionsFind common denominators to divideUse relative size of the fractions to estimate the quotientWe don't teach rules for students to mimic, we develop relationshipsSee Episodes 142, 143 and 155 for more about fraction division. Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

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

Fraction division does not have to be scary, and it certainly does not have to be memorized. In this episode Pam and Kim show how to reason through non unit fraction division problems.Talking Points:What is a unit fraction?What does it mean to think quotitively about division?A Problem String building on unit fraction understanding for division of non unit fractionsHow to model this Problem StringUsing whole number relations among fractionsFraction division is accessible!See Episodes 142, 144 and 155 for more about fraction division. Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

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