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Math is Figure-Out-Able!
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
437 episodes
#MathStratChat - October 15 , 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 15, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategi...
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6:45
Ep 278: Benefit from Solving Equations Graphically
What role can technology play in mathematics education? In this episode Pam and Kim explore a Problem String for solving systems of equations using Desmos.Talking Points:Graphing systems of equationsWhere lin...
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Episode 278
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19:43
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#MathStratChat - October 8, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 8, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
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6:11
Ep 277: Memorize the Facts - It Makes All the Difference
What is the difference between "knowing" and "owning" facts? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to help all students make the most of multiplication facts.Talking Points:How different people respond when asked to...
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Episode 277
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24:17
#MathStratChat - October 1, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 1, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
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4:25
Ep 276: Facilitating Pam's Favorite Problem String
Facilitating a Problem String is much more than providing a list of problems. In this episode Pam shares the moment to moment decisions she makes when facilitating a "Sticks of Gum" proportional realtionship building Problem String.Talk...
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Episode 276
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41:18
#MathStratChat - September 24, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 24, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strate...
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4:12
Ep 275: Playing with Mathematical Relationships in Life
Mathematics is everywhere, but if students don't know how to reason they may not want to engage and play with numbers or see all the opportunities to do so. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss scenarios where they play with mathematical concept...
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Episode 275
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21:22
#MathStratChat - September 17, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 17, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strate...
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4:20
Ep 274: Best Way to Teach Word Problems
Have students that struggle with word problems? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the best way to help students succeed when faced with a word problem.Talking points:Why mimicking makes word problems harderReasone...
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Episode 274
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30:36
#MathStratChat - September 10, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 10, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strate...
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6:27
Ep 273: Conceptual Understanding... Then Algorithms
Is the goal of math class all about getting answers? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how their work differs from those who promote traditional math classrooms and even some conceptual inquiry based classrooms.Talking Points:...
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30:45
#MathStratChat - September 3, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 3, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strateg...
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4:40
Ep 272: What is Fluency Anyway?
How does the definition of fluency change when your goal for math class changes? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss in some areas of mathematics they aim for fluency and how students use those relationships to build from.Talking Points...
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Episode 272
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30:47
#MathStratChat - August 27, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 27, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
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4:59
Ep 271: Direct Variation
How can we bridge from proportional reasoning to functional reasoning? In this episode Pam and Kim talk through a Problem String that moves students from proportional reasoning into linear functions.Talking Points:Building P...
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Episode 271
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24:11
#MathStratChat - August 20, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 20, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
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5:31
Ep 270: Mathematical Behaviors
How do mathy people approach mathematics? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss different mathematical behaviors and the value of engendering them in students.Talking Points:Reflecting about what else you could have done that ...
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Episode 270
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18:51
#MathStratChat - August 13, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 13, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
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3:47
Ep 269: Why the Debate between Inquiry and Direct Instruction, Developing Reasoning and Teaching Procedures.
Does inquiry mean leaving students to their own devices? In this episode Pam and Kim share their thoughts on the debate teaching reasoning vs. teaching procedures.Talking Points:We all want what's best for studentsS...
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Episode 269
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29:45
#MathStratChat - August 6, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 6, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
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5:40
Ep 268: Connecting Strategies, Properties, and Models in Addition
How can teachers help students be more sophisticated additive reasoners? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the major addition strategies, what properties they use, and how to model student thinking.Talking Points:Addition ...
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Episode 268
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24:47
#MathStratChat - July 30, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 30, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies,...
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4:19
Ep 267: Connecting Strategies, Properties, and Models in Multiplication
If your only focus is answer getting, students may never experience and grapple with and understand multiplicative properties. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to use models to help students progress to more sophisticated strategies usin...
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28:33
