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
Ep 99: If Not Algorithms, Then What? Finale!
In the last 5 episodes we've laid out the most important strategies for students to be able to solve for all four operations. So what? In this episode Pam and Kim solve a gnarly problem to demonstrate how mathematizing can empower you and your ...
Ep 98: If Not the Division Algorithm, Then What?
Division is figure-out-able! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the four main strategies students need to develop to solve any division problem that's reasonable to solve without a calculator. Talking Points:Pam's personal...
Ep 97: If Not the Multiplication Algorithm, Then What?
What are the five major strategies for multiplication? In this episode Pam and Kim name and give examples of each of the five major multiplication strategies. If students own these strategies they should be able to solve any multiplication prob...
Ep 96: If Not the Subtraction Algorithm, Then What?
It's time for subtraction! In this episode Pam and Kim name and give examples of the four main subtraction strategies students need to own to solve any subtraction problem that is reasonable to solve without a calculator.Talking Points:...
Ep 95: If Not the Addition Algorithm, Then What?
What are the major strategies students need to know to solve any addition problem that is reasonable to solve without a calculator? In this episode Pam and Kim list them out, give examples, and some insights into how they choose which strategy ...
Ep 94: If Not Algorithms, Then What?
We want students to be real problem solvers, and we know that means much more than helping them get correct answers. But we never want to put students in a position where they are disadvantaged because they don't know the traditional algorithms...
Ep 93: Partnering With Parents: Do Correct Answers Matter?
When we feel passionately about the way we teach, we can sometimes inadvertently miscommunicate when speaking with parents. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how to appropriately talk about getting correct answers and preparing for high stak...
Ep 92: Partnering With Parents: Math Night!
Partnering with parents can be a blast! In this episode Pam and Kim describe how they organize and run math nights to help parents experience mathematizing and get excited about what their students will be learning.Talking Points:
Ep 91: Partnering With Parents: Over Communicate
How can we proactively partner with and support parents? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss ways they over communicate to parents to keep parents involved and not confused. Talking Points: Newsletters: What is helpful...
Ep 90: Partnering With Parents: Listening
Parents are so important, and sometimes they get concerned when their child isn't being taught math they way they were expecting. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss hearing parents' concerns and helping them feel heard and then helping them un...
Ep 89: Playing With Fraction Multiplication
Kim has a story to tell that Pam hasn't heard yet! Listen in to get a feel of how math can be when students understand that Math is Figure-Out-Able.Talking Points:Pajama Math and exploring relationships in multiplying fractions<...
Ep 88: Getting Correct Answers or Building Relationships?
Most of us are probably teaching the way we were taught, to get correct answers to problems. But we aren't actually helping students understand and reason about the math. Which is more important? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss answer getti...
Ep 87: But I'm Required to Teach Algorithms
Do your standards require you to teach algorithms? What then? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they prepare their students for success on high stakes tests without ever teaching a step by step algorithm or process. Talking Poi...
Ep 86: Are Algorithms Necessary?
What purpose has and should algorithms have in mathematics education? Are step by step What purpose has and should algorithms have in mathematics education? Are step by step procedures even to be taught at all? In this episode Pam and Kim talk ...
Ep 85: Single Digit Addition Facts Finale
Aren't addition facts cool?! By this point you've learned some amazing relationships and strategies to help your students make real sense of and automatize the single digit addition facts. But sometimes learning and applying are two different t...
Ep 84: Single Addition Facts, Part 4
It's time for you to learn about the most important relationship your students need to know to automatize their addition facts: partners of ten. Partners of ten influence strategies for adding bigger numbers as well as strategies for other oper...
Ep 83: Single Digit Addition Facts Pt 3
We build addition facts through relationships and fluency through experience. So what important patterns and relationships can help students master or reason with their single digit addition facts rather than rote memorize? How can we tea...
Ep 82: Single Digit Addition Facts, Pt 2
Addition is figure-out-able! In this episode Pam and Kim describe some of the fundamental patterns students should learn as they get familiar and automatize with their single -addition facts. We want students at all levels to have access ...
Ep 81: Single Digit Addition Facts Pt 1
So many people get left behind when it comes to higher math, because they never learned mathematize or to think more sophisticatedly and build complex relationships and simultaneity in lower math. Teachers often share that their students lack n...
Ep 80: Resolutions Anyone?
We've come to the end of another year, and we'd thought we'd leave you with some suggestions on goals you can set for your teaching. In this episode Pam and Kim highlight some transformative goals that you probably haven't considered before. Ho...
Ep 79: Talking Math With Your Kids For The Holidays
Don't you love the holidays? We sure do! It's such a great excuse to talk math with your family! In this episode Pam and Kim describe some ways (and activities they do) to involve math in their festivities, from formal games like I Have, You Ne...
Ep 78: Gift Giving Ideas - Mathy Games for All Ages
As we approach Christmas and the holidays, we thought we'd talk about some of our favorite games that we love to gift others! In this episode Pam and Kim share what makes a great mathy game and list a few of their favorites that not only have n...
Ep 77: The 'Relational Thinking' Instructional Routine
We've got another one of our favorite routines for you today! In this episode Pam and Kim demonstrate the Relational Thinking routine, a routine that helps students understand equivalence and become more comfortable with relational strategies. ...
Ep 76: The 'As Close As It Gets' Instructional Routine
There are a lot of great instructional routines out there, and today we want to highlight As Close as it Gets. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to use this instructional routine in your classroom and how it can help your students get mat...