Math is Figure-Out-Able!

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

Do you ever fall into the "off by one" trap? Do your students ever get confused about counting objects vs counting distance? In this episode Pam and Kim use a Problem String to help build intuition about everyday subtraction problems.Talking Points:Experience a Problem String to build relationshipsFencepost Problems are all over the placeStudents can't just pluck numbers out of Fencepost problemsCathy Fosnot's replacement unit, "Measuring For the Art Show"Other places these kind of problems show upKim explains her strategySee episode 111 for more about "Measuring For the Art Show"!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 February 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 education

The podcast explores the impact of Chat GPT on math education, highlighting the importance of teaching real math. It discusses the benefits and concerns of using a chat bot for math homework, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding of math concepts. The shift towards problem-solving skills in math education is also discussed, along with the importance of a support system for teachers.

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

When do you offer students help and what kinds of help do you offer? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the balance of what kinds of help to give students and also where to find just the right help as teachers.Talking Points:Encouragement alone isn't enough helpModeling thinking doesn't mean to take over the thinkingFunneling vs focusing patterns of questioningDoes your help create mathematicians or learned helplessness?Teachers also need just the right amount and kind of helpRegistration for our workshops and Journey is now open! Find what help is best for you at https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/workshopsSee also Episode 113 for more discussion about helping students.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 January 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.

What does it take to change our perspectives so we can teach more and more Real Math? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they can help YOU when you join the You Can Change Math Class Challenge!Talking Points:What is the Challenge anyway?Is the math you do at home different from the math you do in school? (Thank you John SanGiovanni)What are the major perspectives and how can I learn more about them?How does the perspective of how I was taught affect how I teach?Register for the challenge here! https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/changeGet the free ebook here! https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/bigFor more on the perspectives we talked about see episodes 24-28, and take the quiz to learn more about your perspective! https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/xyzCheck 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 January 11, 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.

We have heard from both teachers and leaders that it's a struggle to know what to look for in a Math is Figure-out-able classsroom and how to evaluate it, and help each other better our teaching craft. In this episode Pam and Kim go through the NCTM Effective Teaching practices and discuss and suggest conversations about how those standards look in a Math is Figure-out-able classroom.Talking Points:What does it mean to "establish mathematics goals to focus on learning"?What do tasks that "promote reasoning and problem solving" vs direct teaching look like?What all is entailed in "connecting matematical representations"? Why is "meaningful mathematical discourse" critical and what does it sound like? (listen to Episode 128 for more about Do, Say, Represent)What do "purposeful questions" sound like? The difference between funneling vs focusing questions.How we tweak "build (procedural) fluency with conceptual understanding"?What is "productive struggle"? Do you need time, or help? (listen to Episode 113 for more about productive struggle)What do tasks or problems look like that "elicit evidence of student thinking" then "use the thinking" to move the math forward?Don't forget to join the You Can Change Math Class Challenge! Register at mathisfigureoutable.com/changeCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education