

Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Pam Harris, Kim Montague
Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 3, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - July 2, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 2, 2025. 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jul 1, 2025 • 36min
Ep 263: Facilitating an Equivalence Structure Problem String - Additive Reasoning
How does a Problem String look in front of real students? In this episode Pam and Kim give a play by play for how a Problem String could be facilitated.Talking Points:When to circulate and when to ask for choral responseHelping students communicate thinkingHow and when to engage students in conversationsWhen to anchor strategiesWhen to be intentionally curious to solidify thinkingCheck out our grade level Problem String books!Grade 1 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/nps-1Grade 2 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/NPS-2Grade 3 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/nps-3Grade 4 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/nps-4Grade 5 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/nps-5Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jun 26, 2025 • 2min
#MathStratChat - June 25, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 25, 2025. 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jun 24, 2025 • 27min
Ep 262: Code Switching in Mathematics
What if finding equivalence between fractions, decimals, and precents wasn't just a task for students to do, but a tool making them more efficient in rational number computations? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about code switching with rational numbers to make complex problems more figure-out-able.Talking Points:What is code switching in rational numbers?A Problem String using equivalence to think about multiplicationTasks that use equivalency to solve problems rather than just practicing conversionsSee episode 219 for learning about finding the mean: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1062400/episodes/15561786Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jun 19, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - June 18, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 18, 2025. 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jun 17, 2025 • 29min
Ep 261: Five Year Anniversary Episode
Five years of important conversations, lots of laughs and a blooper every once in a while. In this episode Pam and Kim revisit some important moments of the podcast from the last 5 years.Talking Points:Clips from the past 5 years!Types of questioningStudent compliance Problem Strings vs Problem TalksMath distortionsWait time and Private signalsCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jun 12, 2025 • 2min
#MathStratChat - June 11, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 11, 2025. 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jun 10, 2025 • 29min
Ep 260: Refining And Extending I Have, You Need
How can you get the most out of I Have, You Need in your classroom? In this podcast Pam and Kim answer some common questions and dig deeper into one of their favorite routines, I Have You Need.Talking Points:Do cars speak the language of fractions?I Have, You Need (See also Ep 7 and 164)Why it is helpful to know partners of 1, 10, 100, 1000, etc.Common misconceptionsWhy it is important for the teacher to call the numbersIs it about creativity or efficiency?Discussing strategy is a big part of I Have, You NeedGet the free download at:https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/youneed Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

Jun 5, 2025 • 3min
#MathStratChat - June 4, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 4, 2025. 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Jun 3, 2025 • 25min
Ep 259: Universal Screeners: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Part 2
Pam and Kim dive deep into the world of universal screeners in education. They explore their usefulness in diagnosing student needs and discuss the limitations of traditional assessments. The conversation shifts to enhancing teacher assessment skills to better support students and critique the efficiency of routine evaluations. They advocate for more personalized approaches to screening, aiming for deeper understanding over standardization. The hosts also share strategies to effectively use assessment data to boost student learning in mathematics.


