Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 11, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

When variables and exponents start mixing, we need to memorize the rules, right? In this episode Pam and Kim develop exponential relationships, not rules.Talking Points:How "Kim's Notes" became "Half Sheets"Problem String to explore multiplicative relationships when working with exponents.Generalizing multiplication of exponentsCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 4, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Would you believe I'm more comfortable dealing with exponents because I haven't memorized the rules? In this episode Pam and Kim continue building exponentiation with a great problem stringTalking Points:Problem string to help build exponentiationWhen and how to introduce vocabularyTeacher move: Choosing who shares, and in what orderMore confident reasoning without the rulesTeacher Move: GeneralizingCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 27, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Can we prepare students for really hairy exponent problems without resorting to memorized rules? In this first episode of a series, Pam and Kim share a task that could get kids and teachers thinking more and more multiplicatively and understandably about exponents.Talking Points:Can a task have too many layers for students to be successful?Can we sequence a task that works for 3rd grade to Algebra?Problem String to connect prime factorization to exponents.Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 20, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Should high school mathematicians be given choice of which strategy to use? In this episode Pam and Kim wrap up their exploration of systems of equations.Talking Points:What is needed to understand 3x?Where students mess up using substitution How do different systems lend themselves to different strategies?Ketchup problemsNext step Problem Strings and comparing strategiesGiving students choiceCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 13, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.Twitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Don't you think math needs more cookies in it? In this episode Pam and Kim use Desmos graphing calculator to go through a routine to make sense of systems of equations before doing any elimination or substitution.Talking Points:Kim going to a Cafe for sandwiches and cookiesGraphing on Desmos graphing calculatorUnderstanding x and y interceptsUnderstanding where the lines intersect Relating systems of equations to each otherLink to Desmos Graphing Calculator: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/qq59ey0bub Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC