Math is Figure-Out-Able!

When we feel passionately about the way we teach, we can sometimes inadvertently miscommunicate when speaking with parents. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how to appropriately talk about getting correct answers and preparing for high stakes tests so that parents know their children are in good hands.Talking Points:Answers are important!What we don't want to communicate to parentsPreparing students for high stakes tests is important!Insight into a test writer's thinking when they write test itemsHelping students mathematize will help them feel more confident and excel on high stakes tests

Partnering with parents can be a blast! In this episode Pam and Kim describe how they organize and run math nights to help parents experience mathematizing and get excited about what their students will be learning.Talking Points:Typical parent math nights vs. our parent math nightsOpportunity to share grade level or school wide expectationsImportance of a Q & A for parentsHelp parents experience math the way their students doMathematizing for parents at the "sweet spot" level of mathSuggestions for finding Problem Strings to use at math nightsLogistics tips for parent math nightAdvantages of a series of parent nights

How can we proactively partner with and support parents? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss ways they over communicate to parents to keep parents involved and not confused. Talking Points: Newsletters: What is helpful information and tips for parents I can share?Parent-teacher conferences: What can I share with parents about math other than just grades?Homework assignments: I don't like drill and kill. What kinds of homework are helpful for students and parents? 

Parents are so important, and sometimes they get concerned when their child isn't being taught math they way they were expecting. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss hearing parents' concerns and helping them feel heard and then helping them understand the math. We appreciate parents and we are better with them!Talking Points:We want invested parentsParents need to be heard, and then they need to understandThe importance of listening to understand

Kim has a story to tell that Pam hasn't heard yet! Listen in to get a feel of how math can be when students understand that Math is Figure-Out-Able.Talking Points:Pajama Math and exploring relationships in multiplying fractionsCan you really just multiply straight across with fractions?Two ways to reason about 3/5 times 3/9Pam and Kim reason multiple ways about 3/4 times 2/5Join us in #MathStratChat!

Most of us are probably teaching the way we were taught, to get correct answers to problems. But we aren't actually helping students understand and reason about the math. Which is more important? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss answer getting versus relationship building.  Talking Points:Phil Daro's research on patterns of math instruction from across the worldStudent success from answer getting instruction vs instruction that focuses on outcomes from reasoningThe real purpose of math classNow that I know different, how can I do different and help kids reason?Resources:Phil Daro video: https://vimeo.com/79916037

Do your standards require you to teach algorithms? What then? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they prepare their students for success on high stakes tests without ever teaching a step by step algorithm or process. Talking Points:All year long invest your time wisely helping kids learn to reason, increasing their sophistication of relationships and solving more difficult problems.Students can and will perform well on standardized tests if they have been thinking and reasoning, experiencing new situations all year.Students will approach a standardized test with confidence and less stress if they have been given opportunities to struggle productively all year and become good mathematicians.Introduce the algorithm as a study of why the algorithm works for the very end of the year. Introducing the algorithm too early in the year risks giving students the option to turn their brains off. 

What purpose has and should algorithms have in mathematics education? Are step by step What purpose has and should algorithms have in mathematics education? Are step by step procedures even to be taught at all? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about our role as teachers and what students need to think like mathematicians.Talking Points:One student's perspectiveWhat are algorithms?Why have we taught algorithms in the past?Where are algorithms helpful in today's world?Do algorithms help students learn to mathematize?From another student's perspectiveLearn more in the online workshops

Aren't addition facts cool?! By this point you've learned some amazing relationships and strategies to help your students make real sense of and automatize the single digit addition facts. But sometimes learning and applying are two different things. In this episode Pam and Kim detail how to help your students get out of counting mode and actually apply the relationships they've learned to become fluent with single digit addition facts.Talking Points:Why do some kids keep counting after they've learned these relationships?How to help kids break the counting habit and why that is importantIt's not about speed or only the answers, it's about developing more sophisticated thinkers and reasonersDeep dive online workshops for teachers

It's time for you to learn about the most important relationship your students need to know to automatize their addition facts: partners of ten. Partners of ten influence strategies for adding bigger numbers as well as strategies for other operations. In this episode Pam and Kim will discuss some of those influences and some games and routines specifically made to provide experience and build partner of ten relationships for all levels and all ages.Talking Points:What are partners of ten?Do older students need partners of ten?Rich Tasks with 10Collect TenI Have, You NeedEstablish partners of ten early in the school yearWorkshop registration is open until Feb 4!Links:bit.ly/partnersoftensgamesmathisfigureoutable.com/youneedmathisfigureoutable.com/workshops