
Math is Figure-Out-Able!
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!
Latest episodes

Jan 14, 2025 • 28min
Ep 239: Counted Out
People across the world are changing math education. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the documentary Counted Out that they were fortunate to see. They spotlight some of the thoughts of a few of the great researchers and add their thoughts about affecting change.Talking Points:Spoilers! The effects of algorithms today What needs to change?How do we contribute to change?Math is everywhereGiving students choiceJo Boaler will be on the January 2025 Math is Figureoutable Challenge! Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 13, 2025 • 25min
Ep 239: Counted Out (SPOILER FREE)
People across the world are changing math education. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the documentary Counted Out that they were fortunate to see. They spotlight some of the thoughts of a few of the great researchers and add their thoughts about affecting change.Talking Points:Spoilers! The effects of algorithms today What needs to change?How do we contribute to change?Math is everywhereGiving students choiceJo Boaler will be on the January 2025 Math is Figureoutable Challenge! Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 9, 2025 • 5min
#MathStratChat - January 8, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 8, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jan 7, 2025 • 27min
Ep 238: Inverse Variation Pt 2
Are inverse functions figureoutable? In this episode Pam and Kim go more into the nuance of when and how we want students to tackle inverse relationships.Talking Points:When to introduce inverse proportions Experience versus instructionAllowing students to grapple to in order to experience those aha momentsProblem String designCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jan 2, 2025 • 4min
#MathStratChat - January 1, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 1, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Dec 31, 2024 • 23min
Ep 237: Inverse Variation Pt 1
What does it mean for something to be an inverse, or to be inversely proportional? In this episode Pam and Kim look at a specific kind of proportional reasoning.Talking Points:It's worth thinking before doingInversely proportional vs direct variation with non-unit scalingCommon misunderstandingsCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Dec 26, 2024 • 5min
#MathStratChat - December 25, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 25, 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!

Dec 24, 2024 • 26min
Ep 236: Exponent Relationships Pt 5
Did you know that students can understand negative exponents without being told what they mean? In this episode Pam and Kim wrap up their series on exponent relationships.Talking Points:New listeners, where to start? Episode 156 Start HereDiscovering Negative ExponentsGive students experiences first and let them make sense of itUsing equivalent expressions to help students visualize and make generalizationsWhat grade levels are these strings for?Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Dec 19, 2024 • 4min
#MathStratChat - December 18, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 18, 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!

Dec 17, 2024 • 24min
Ep 235: Exponent Relationships Pt 4
What if students actually understood using common factors to simplify complex division expressions? In this episode Pam and Kim divide exponents without reciting a rule.Talking Points:Thinking versus reasoningProblem String Dividing Exponents"Canceling" vs "Dividing out to equal 1"Focus on left over factors vs mimicking a ruleWhy start with smaller bases?Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC
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