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
549 episodes
#MathStratChat - November 11, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 11, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
Comparing Mathematics Education to the Science of Reading Part 3
In the final episode of this series Pam analyzes the role research has had in reading and mathematics education.Talking Points:What components make up reading and math-ing?What are the differences in...
#MathStratChat - November 4, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 4, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
Ep 333: Comparing Mathematics Education to the Science of Reading Part 2
In this episode, Pam continues comparing Mathematics Education andthe Science of Reading. Talking Points:Reading has public consensus on what it means to read; math does not have the same consensus on...
#MathStratChat - October 28, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 28, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
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Ep 332: Comparing Mathematics Education to the Science of Reading - Part 1
How does Mathematics Education compare to the Science of Reading? In this episode, Pam Harris begins a conversation by addressing the broader differences in defining each discipline and the level of consensus in the literacy and mathematics edu...
#MathStratChat - October 21, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 21, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
Ep 331: What Type Of Math Teacher Are You? Part 2
A teacher's willingness (or unwillingness) to work on their craft of teaching, no matter the reason, impacts thier students. In this episode, Pam and Kim unpack one student's perspective about why teachers do or do not teach math that is figure...
#MathStratChat - October 14 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 14, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
Ep 330: What Type Of Math Teacher Are You? Part 1
What perspective and assumptions do you bring to your teaching? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the kinds of teachers they've interacted with and their own growth as teachers.Talking Points:"Inquiry-based" + Mimic...
#MathStratChat - October 7, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 7, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before y...
Ep 329: Explicit Teaching? Solving Equations
What can we do to keep students thinking, instead of waiting to be told what to do? In this episode Pam and Kim focus on an algebra Problem String that helps students learn to choose between strategies.Talking Points:...
#MathStratChat - September 30, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 30, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, befor...
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Ep 328: Explicit Teaching? Adding Mixed Numbers
What does explicit teaching mean to you? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss an Adding Mixed Numbers Problem String, idenitfying exactly what teachers should be explicit about versus what they should leave for students to grapple with....
#MathStratChat - September 23, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 23, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, befor...
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Ep 327: Explicit Teaching? Distance Versus Removal
When do we allow students more freedom, and when do we need to be more explicit? In this episode, Pam and Kim analyze a Distance vs. Removal subtraction Problem String, identifying when they are explicit and when they are not.Talking...
#MathStratChat - September 16, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 16, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, befor...
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Ep 326: Explicit Teaching, Part 2
Many aspects of teaching can be improved by being more explicit. In this episode, Pam and Kim identify specific categories where explicit teaching is necessary, borrowing Piaget's distinction between social-conventional and logical-mathematical...
#MathStratChat - September 09, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 9, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
Ep 325: Explicit Teaching Part 1
Is the popular discussion around "explicit teaching" helpful? Do we all envision the same thing? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss their thoughts about "explicit teaching", and which parts of mathematics require explicit teaching, and which ...
#MathStratChat - September 2, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 2, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
Ep 324: Solving Equations Using Equivalence
What does reasoning about algebraic expressions look like? In this episode, Kim facilitates a Problem String that has Pam solving equations using equivalence.Talking Points:Using comparison to ignore commonalities on ...
#MathStratChat - August 26, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 26, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, be...
Ep 323: Vertical Models Every Student Needs
With so much to teach every year, we know you're always looking for the biggest impact for long term success for your students. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss models that grow with students as they learn more and more mathematics....
