Math is Figure-Out-Able!

We did it! We made it to episode 73! Why is that an important milestone? Just cause it's Kim's favorite number :-). In this episode Pam and Kim take the opportunity to highlight some important milestones in the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement. We're so grateful you're a part of it!Talking Points:Pam and Kim's favorite numbersTwitter followers and MathStratChatYou Can Change Math Class ChallengePam and Kim as colleaguesPodcastOnline Workshops What's coming up next?

Facilitating a Problem String is tricky business, so Pam and Kim take the time in this episode to provide some do's and don'ts that anyone can learn from.Talking Points:What is a Problem String?How long should a Problem String last?Can Problem Strings be given in a worksheet or as a bell ringer?Does everyone share during the Problem String?How do I know which students should share and in what order? What if all of my students aren't using the strategy?What if I don't understand a student's strategy?How do I write Problem Strings?If you want to hear more about Problem Strings, check out Episode 163. 

What makes Problem Strings different from other sequences of problems? In this episode Pam and Kim get into the nitty gritty on how Problem Strings work and what sets them apart.Talking Points:Defining Problem StringsThe "Why or Purpose" - What sets a Problem String apart from just a list of problems?The "How" - How are Problem Strings facilitated differently from a textbook lesson or rich task?An exampleIf you want to hear more about Problem Strings, check out Episode 163. Find examples of Problem Strings (including video!) at https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/ps

Problem Strings are meant to build off each other so that the math is always moving forward. That's why we've decided to build off the last episode with another Problem String! In this episode Pam and Kim find the equation of some lines using relationships and develop powerful strategies for more sophisticated thinking.Talking Points:You don't have to have lots of recent experience to notice the patterns.Problem Strings to notice patterns and relationships between the x values and the y values.How the relationships between the x values and the y values help you think and reason about slope and y intercept.Algebra is Figure-Out-Able!!

We've talked a lot about the types of reasoning we need to help students develop, but a lot of teachers believe that there comes a point in higher math where reasoning just won't cut it. In this episode Pam and Kim tackle functional reasoning, and demonstrate that algebra can be so much more than memorized steps.Talking Points:Is using the procedure of finding slope, plugging into a formula, etc the most efficient?The importance of working with intuitionExamples of using patterns that you notice to find the equation of a line without formulasIntuitively finding the equation of a line in standard form

In Episode 67 revisited the Development of Mathematical Reasoning (DMR) and we described how students can solve addition problems with Counting Strategies. What about the addition algorithm and multiplication and division problems? In this episode Pam and Kim explore the Development of Mathematical Reasoning even further, and discuss how important it is that we help students become more sophisticated. It's more than just answer getting. And stay tuned to the end for a freebie!Examples of solving addition problems with bigger numbers using Additive Reasoning.Examples of solving multiplication problems with Counting Strategies, Additive Reasoning and Multiplicative Reasoning.Examples of solving division problems with Counting Strategies, Additive Reasoning and Multiplicative Reasoning.Brand new free infographics of the Development of Mathematical Reasoning.Videos of students solving problems using the different types of reasoning to help you use the DMR in your classroom to identify where your students are in their reasoning.Find the infographics here: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog/development-4

It's been over a year since Pam and Kim first introduced the DMR (Development of Mathematical Reasoning) and in that time they've refined their ideas even further. In this episode Pam and Kim dive deeper into the development and why it's so important. Talking Points:It's not about answer getting, or students doing it 'their way'. Our goal is more sophisticated thinking and reasoningAdded Statistical Reasoning to DMRWhere do subtraction and division live on the DMR graphic?We don't leave a level of reasoning behindExamples of Counting, Additive and Multiplicative ReasoningHow can you build your own mathematical reasoning?Free DMR workshop for anyone at anytime!

Math conferences are powerful ways to improve your teaching. But it's also really easy to go to a conference and accidently miss all the good sessions. In this episode Pam talks about a few powerful leaders in the math education community that she will always go see no matter what they're talking about. Talking Points:Karim AniPeter LiljedahlDeborah BallZaretta HammondJenny Bay Williams and John SanGiovanniElham KazeimiCathy FosnotJuli K. DixonSarah VanderwerfInstructional Routines to find at MathisFigureOutAble.comJourneyLEADER (learn more at https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/leader)Other people to follow: @JBayWilliams, @JohnSanGiovanni, @ddmeyer, @joboaler, @ekazemi, @ctfosnot, @thestrokeofluck, @saravdwerf

How can we best grow as teachers? Together of course! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the power of teachers honing their craft through collaborative experiences and conversations. Administrators, leaders and coaches will find this episode particularly helpful.Talking Points:Shared experiences help to communicate and reflect about critical moments and expert teacher moves.How coaches, teachers and peers can benefit from coversations about shared experiences to implement action in the classroom.How to create shared experiences.Introducing JourneyLEADERYou can learn more about our exciting new experience for leaders at mathisfigureoutable.com/leader

Fun with Division: An Important StrategyThere is so much to division! Pam and Kim go through a quick Problem String that builds a less known, but super powerful, division strategy. Talking Points:Reasoning about division with scalingThinking partitively vs quotitively to solve gnarly division problems with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and even polynomials.See Ep 132 and 176 for more on equivalent ratios!Learn more about the Building Powerful Division workshopSee Episode 142 for further discussion of quotitive thinking when dividing with fractionsSee Ep 132 and 176 for more on equivalent ratios!See Ep 243 for more information on Integer Division