Math is Figure-Out-Able!

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

In this episode Pam and Kim dive deep into their favorite model for multiplication, division, and solving proportions: ratio tables! They'll discuss 3 ways ratio tables can be a powerful tool to help students mathematize from 3rd grade to high school.Talking Points:What are ratio tables?How to, and not to, use ratio tables in the classroomThree ways 3-5 grade can use a ratio table:-to organize data-to model multiplicative thinking -for multiplication and division computationBut do 3-5 grade solve unit rate problems?Where do non-unit rates show up?Examples of using a ratio table to solve multiplication and division problemsUse this PDF to follow along with Pam and Kim's thinking!

This week Pam and Kim wrap up their discussion on the Perspectives that Impact Math Pedagogy. Understanding the X, Y, and Z perspectives not only helps us understand one another better, but empowers us to choose to take on the Real Mathematics perspective. Listen in as Pam and Kim discuss the need for mathematics to be experienced, and the power in developing mathematical reasoning.Talking Points:Your perspective may not be the same for everyone around youThe ultimate goal is Real Math- all people can do more Real Math than fake mathReal Math offers something for all perspectivesWhere to start teaching Real MathWhat do you do with students that all have different perspectivesHow to lean into the frustrations of students for each perspectiveHow leaders can work with teachers with the different perspectivesHow can we all communicate better?Take the XYZ quiz here! mathisfigureoutable.com/XYZ

We've made it to our last (and maybe favorite) perspective that impacts pedagogy. The Y perspective describes those who struggle with fake math because they deeply desire to know "why". Pam and Kim describe people in their lives who grew up with the Y perspective and discuss their great value to the mathematics community.Talking Points:What describes the Y perspective?Pam and Kim's personal experiences with the Y perspectiveHow adults and learners with the Y perspective feel about mathematicsTwo things that people with the Y perspective need to understandWhy teaching Real Math is so important Take the XYZ quiz here! mathisfigureoutable.com/XYZ

This episode is all about the Z perspective. Listen in to hear about the perspective that This episode is all about the Z perspective. Listen in to hear about the perspective that Pam estimates influences the majority of math educators. It was Pam's perspective too! Pam and Kim parse out the characteristics of the Z perspective and the huge impact it has on teaching today. Talking Points:Pam forgot how to subtractWhat is the Z perspective?How do Z-perspective students think?Pam's first experience with Math ClubWhat people with the Z perspective need to understandHow can understanding the Z perspective empower teachers?Take the new XYZ Quiz!

Continuing in the Perspectives Impacting Pedagogy Series, Pam and Kim discuss the X perspective. Did you play with numbers as a kid? Did math make natural sense to you, regardless of how your teacher taught it? You might relate to the X perspective. Listen in to learn how the X perspective influences teachers and students in mathematics.  Talking Points:What is the X perspective?Why X-perspective teachers teach with algorithmsKim's experience growing up with the X perspectivePam's experiences with her son and collegues with the X perspectiveThe 'math-gene' myth held by the X perspective3 things teachers and students with the X perspective need to understand.Take the new XYZ Quiz!

This episode is part one to a new five part series! Pam and Kim introduce the three main perspectives that influence the way we teach math. Understanding these perspectives helps teachers analyze their past perspective so they can make choices and have productive conversations regarding changing and improving math education for all students. Talking Points:The three perspectives impacting our pedagogyIs there one perspective that is the best? How our perspective affects conversations about math teachingTake the new XYZ QUIZ!

How can we help students feel comfortable with using the commutative property? In this episode Pam and Kim go through some addition and multiplication problems to demonstrate how they think and reason using the the commutative property. Talking Points:The commutative property when a student is counting on to addThe commutative property in addition of larger numbersUsing models to represent the commutative propertyUsing the commutative property for percentagesIt's not just about naming the property

Pam went most of her life not knowing about this really cool thing! Listen in as Kim relates a great math experience she had with her son, Luke, while they were messing around with addition. Pam and Kim discuss the importance and kinds of place value experiences we provide for students as we mentor them as mathematicians.Talking Points:Introducing the Swapping strategyWhat problems fit nicely with the Swapping strategy?Place labeling vs. Place valueNecessary but not sufficientTweet us (@pwharris, @kimmontague) your slick swapping strategy solutions to gnarly looking problems! 

Are percents truly figure-out-able? You bet! Grab a pen and paper for this one as Pam and Kim discuss the 3 types of percent problems and how they solve them using relations, not with algorithms.   Talking Points:What Journey members are emailing aboutThe three types of percent problemsPam and Kim share their thinking as they solve all three types of percent problemsTwo traditional ways of teaching percents and how they rob students of resoning fluentlyMath is fun when it's figure-out-able!