Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Listeners' questions spark an engaging discussion on the evolution of teaching and mathematical strategies. The hosts emphasize the importance of experience with coins to understand decimals and fractions. They advocate for adapting strategies in a digital world, prioritizing meaningful understanding over rote learning. Innovative instructional routines, like 'which one doesn't belong,' are recommended to boost student engagement. Personal anecdotes underscore the benefits of tech integration in math education, highlighting collaboration between teachers and students.

We are so grateful to be celebrating our one year anniversary of the podcast! It's been wonderful to hear all the feedback you've given us as you transform your classrooms. Here's to another year of mathematizing!Highlights:Ep 2: Pam's stance on algorithmsEp 9: Defining models and strategiesEp 34: Memorizing multiplication facts is not the answerEp 27: The students who need to know why 

We've had so much fun talking about fractions! In this episode Pam and Kim do another Problem String to demonstrate the effective use of a clock model.Talking Points:What denominators work well for a clock model?Example Problem String with non-unit fractions and mixed numbersShould we insist on the most simplified fraction answer?Problems that work with both money and a clock modelToday's students need the experience from learning with a clock model

How important is fractional equivalence? Important enough for another model! These models are fantastic for helping students develop a natural understanding of equivalent fractions.  Listen in as Kim and Pam discuss how to use a clock model for denominators uncommon to the money model.Talking Points:Use adding and subtracting fractions to help think and reason about fraction equivalenceUsing the word "over" for fractions is NOT helpfulEquivalent fraction examples on a clock modelA real student's math journeyJordan Using the Clock Model 

In this episode Pam and Kim finish up their money Problem String from the last episode. But first, Pam wanted to reflect a little on how she was less than helpful when Kim was struggling to think about nickels. We all learn and grow, and self-reflection is super important!Talking Points:Do you need time, or do you need help? (see episode 40)Once kids have an answer, do we force them to find another way?For which denominators is thinking about money helpful?Ways to think about 2 2/5 minus 9/20The reciprocal relationships between fractions and coins can be confusingFractional equivalence is the goal by asking students to add and subtract fractions

It's time to talk about everyone's two favorite things: fractions and money! Fraction equivalence is a super important concept in mathematics, and it is best developed naturally in a familiar context. In this episode Pam and Kim model using coin denominations to  reason about fractional equivalence. Talking Points:If you understand fractional equivalence, you don't have to memorize any rules for operators of fractionsExamples of using the money model to think about fraction equivalence, and bonus, fraction operations as well:Using decimals and fraction notation interchangeablyKim's uncomfortable relationship with nickels

Let's keep talking fractions! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss an interesting rich task from Cathy Fosnot to help students reason about fractions within the context of sharing fairly. Listen in to learn about the outcomes teachers should look for when teaching fractional sense in a rich contextual problem.Talking Points:Splitting the wholes into unit fractions Splitting the leftovers into smaller unit fractions and re-unitizingPatterns when comparing same-denominator fractions vs same-numerator fractionsSee Ep 103 for more discussion on Rich TasksAdditional Sources:  Field Trips and Fund-Raisers

How young can young learners begin to experience fractions? Younger than you think! In this episode Pam and Kim describe simple ways we can help young students begin to develop fractional understanding. Pay attention to how natural it can be for young learners to learn math!Talking PointsStruggles that young learners may experience with "half"Simple classroom activities to have students fair shares in early grades as they practice countingExperiences and conversations in halving even and odd amountsStandards and fractions of an object vs fraction of a setImportant unit fractions and resourcesDoubling and halving simultaneouslySimple experiences parents can use to help their kids develop fractional understanding Additional sources:Beads, Shoes and Making TwosGames for Early Number Sense

Time to get into fractions! There is so much to learn about teaching fractions and in this episode we wanted to lay some important ground work.  All too often we limit students by giving them experience with only one or two of the important ways fractions can be interpreted. When we help students fully understand fractions by using all of the interpretations, their ability to think proportionally skyrockets!Talking PointsWhat is a rational number?The 5 Interpretations of Rational Numbers (Credit to Susan Lamon)Solving fractions with reasoning!Shifting between the 5 interpretations as we solveApplying all 5 interpretations to one problem

Though some people think Kim and Pam's voices are hard to tell apart, teaching Real Math has nothing to do with a particular style or even personality type. We believe in seeing the humanity in students and empowering them with mathematical confidence!Talking Points:Pam and Kim's results on the Enneagram Test.2 important things - Teaching Real Math is more about beliefs about students and mathematics than personalityLeverage your beliefs to get support in teaching Real Math.