Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In this episode Pam and Kim discuss why a traditional teaching approach is not effective and propose an alternate way of teaching to help every student learn and grow. It's one of their guiding principles, and they can't believe they're only just now sharing it! All students struggle at some point and all students need a challenge, so this is a great listen for everyone!  Talking points: What is the traditional way of teaching?The outcomes of the traditional approach of teaching to masteryHow to help all students grow from wherever they are What are open tasks? The outcomes of an open taskRethinking the question: What if students aren't getting "it"?

We made it to our final episode in our multiplication facts series! In this episode Pam and Kim share ideas about helping kids narrow in on facts they struggle with after many opportunities and experiences with multiplication. This final episode exemplifies why we believe that taking the long view and building relationships and Multiplicative Reasoning all year can help students' fact fluency with just a little nudge.Talking Points:What it means to take the long view in multiplication factsWhen it is appropriate for some work to "dial in" on most missed factsClue Cards: What do they look like? Who makes them? How do you use them?The importance of really knowing your students and how do you get to know them?Final thoughts on fact fluency and recommended additional optional resources:Berkeley Everett's Math FlipsStick and Split appShow links: Math-FlipsStick and SplitFind the transcript here: https://podcast.mathisfigureoutable.com/1062400/8040345-ep-38-multiplication-facts-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-pt-5See episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.

It's time for what you've all been waiting for. GAMES! Sure we don't want kids memorizing songs or rhymes to build their facts, but in this episode Pam and Kim bring the fun into multiplication. What games are out there that can help students build their facts and Multiplicative Reasoning at the same time? We're glad you asked :-)Talking Points:Teacher and parent attitude is importantStudents' job is to figure out the math facts not rote memorize or skip count or sing a songStudents need think timeWhen to use gamesWhat are the best games today to help students own multiplication facts?What makes a good math game?What makes a poor math game?LinksLive Problem Strings on Facebook LiveThe Product Game (Link includes games for other grade levels as well!)See episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.

Last episode Pam and Kim discussed how not to teach multiplication facts. So how should we teach them? This episode we look at multiplication facts through the lens of mathematizing using Problem Strings!Talking Points:The order that we teach math content matters to give students the best experience with multiplication throughout the yearThe sequence we teach the multiplication facts mattersExample Problem Strings to build multiplicative relationshipsThe key relationships students need to own in order to recall multiplication facts that they don't rememberHow parents can help their kids own their factsSee episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.Free Problem String Download: mathisfigureoutable.com/factsps

When choosing tasks to teach multiplication facts, what are the pitfalls to avoid? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss ways teachers may inadvertently 1) overemphasize speed, 2) introduce shame into their classrooms, and 3) focus on learning facts in isolation.  We've all made mistakes, and this episode is about learning and growing for our students.Talking Points:What the research says about the negative effects of timed activities such as multiplication fact testsShame is not a motivator to learn facts (harder then you think!)Why learning facts as isolated ideas is not helpfulSee episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.

In this episode Pam and Kim begin the first of another series: Multiplication Facts! What role can mathematizing and Real Math play in helping kids master their multiplication facts? Listen in as Pam and Kim outline the differences between 'knowing' and 'rote memorizing' multiplication facts. Talking Points:Multiplication facts are importantThe problem is not the facts but the stress from rote memorizing factsThe difference between knowing and rote memorizing factsWhat the standards say about mulitplication factsAutomaticity and FluencyCathy Fosnot on suggests that facts should be learned by developing relationshipsHow higher level mathematicians think about factsIs your goal to get through memorizing the facts, or to develop Multiplicative Reasoning?Pam's goal is mathematizing not rote memorizingWe recommend brushing up on episodes 5 & 6 in preparation for this series. Understanding what it means to develop multiplicative reasoning is so important!See also episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.

In the last two episodes, Pam and Kim did some really cool Problem Strings, but what do they think about Number Talks? Listen in as Pam explains how Number Talks and Problem Strings can go hand in hand for powerful results.Talking Points:Why call 'Number Talks' 'Problem Talks'?Short term goals for Problem TalksThe major purpose of Problem TalksMathStratChat as a Problem TalkThe purpose of Problem StringsWhat is a Problem String?When to do a Problem Talk or a Problem StringHow much time to spend on Problem Talks vs. Problem StringsWant to learn more about this powerful combination? Head to:  mathisfigureoutable.com/stringsvtalks

It's time for another Problem String! In this episode Pam and Kim highlight one of their favorite multiplication strategies. It's so slick! In doing so they continue the conversation about the importance of letting students discover and develop relationships, as opposed to teaching strategies step by step.Talking Points:A Problem String for the ____ strategyModeling the strategy on an area modelCan you also triple, quadruple, etc.?Bonus! A problem with decimalsReally cool decimal relationshipsA common question about this strategy: How do we 'teach' kids the appropriate 'steps' of this strategy?What to avoid when facilitating a Problem String for this strategy or any Problem StringTweet at us your favorite name for this strategy! 

In this episode Pam and Kim want to help you develop a cool multiplication strategy. Which multiplication strategy? We aren't going to tell you until the end of the episode : -). We believe in developing strategies as natural outcomes, and then giving it a name. How do we do it? With Problem Strings! Listen in as Pam and Kim go through a Problem String to develop this super efficient multiplication strategy.Talking points:What does it mean to do mental math?We can purposefully help people reason and mathematize mentally.How mathematicians solve computational problems, Ann Dowker's researchWhat is a Problem String?A multiplication Problem String exampleAnother multiplication Problem String example with decimals!The big reveal: The _____ strategy

Don't you just love taking a break to play with numbers? In this week's episode, Pam and Kim share some of the ways that they engage with kids of all ages outside of school to get them mathematizing. Parents, ever wondered what can you do for just ten minutes to help your kids build relationships? This episode is perfect for you. Together we can all learn to make math fun!Talking points:Finger Flash gameI Have, You Need routineAlligator Song and counting backwardsAge gamesMathStratChat Which One Doesn't BelongAdding 10 and 9; 100 and 99; 1,000 and 999 to anythingListening and engaging with students is so importantAdditional resources: https://talkingmathwithkids.com, https://mathbeforebed.com