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 74: Know Your Content, Know Your Kids
How can we take what students already know and leverage that to make other mathematical connections? You've probably heard us mention that you should know your content and know your kids, but there's a lot of meaning behind that. In this episod...
Ep 73: Some Favorite Numbers - Milestones for Math is Figure-Out-Able
We did it! We made it to episode 73! Why is that an important milestone? Just cause it's Kim's favorite number :-). In this episode Pam and Kim take the opportunity to highlight some important milestones in the Math is Figure-Out-Able movement....
Ep 72: The Do's and Dont's of Problem Strings
Facilitating a Problem String is tricky business, so Pam and Kim take the time in this episode to provide some do's and don'ts that anyone can learn from.Talking Points:What is a Problem String?How long should a Problem...
Ep 71: What are Problem Strings Anyways?
What makes Problem Strings different from other sequences of problems? In this episode Pam and Kim get into the nitty gritty on how Problem Strings work and what sets them apart.Talking Points:Defining Problem StringsTh...
Ep 70: Equations of Lines Pt 2
Problem Strings are meant to build off each other so that the math is always moving forward. That's why we've decided to build off the last episode with another Problem String! In this episode Pam and Kim find the equation of some lines using r...
Ep 69: Equations of Lines Pt 1
We've talked a lot about the types of reasoning we need to help students develop, but a lot of teachers believe that there comes a point in higher math where reasoning just won't cut it. In this episode Pam and Kim tackle functional reasoning, ...
Ep 68: Revisiting the Development of Mathematical Reasoning Pt 2
In Episode 67 revisited the Development of Mathematical Reasoning (DMR) and we described how students can solve addition problems with Counting Strategies. What about the addition algorithm and multiplication and division problems? In this epis...
Ep 67: Revisiting the Development of Mathematical Reasoning
It's been over a year since Pam and Kim first introduced the DMR (Development of Mathematical Reasoning) and in that time they've refined their ideas even further. In this episode Pam and Kim dive deeper into the development and why it's so imp...
Ep 66: Shout Out to Leaders!
Math conferences are powerful ways to improve your teaching. But it's also really easy to go to a conference and accidently miss all the good sessions. In this episode Pam talks about a few powerful leaders in the math education community that ...
Ep 65: Collaborative Coaching through Shared Experiences
How can we best grow as teachers? Together of course! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the power of teachers honing their craft through collaborative experiences and conversations. Administrators, leaders and coaches will find this episode p...
Ep 64: Fun with Division: The Equivalent Ratios Strategy
Fun with Division: An Important StrategyThere is so much to division! Pam and Kim go through a quick Problem String that builds a less known, but super powerful, division strategy. Talking Points:Reasoning about div...
Ep 63: Counting is More Than A, B, C
Counting strategies can often go overlooked. Learning to count in a way that prepares students for Additive Reasoning is complex. But just how hard can counting be? Wait until you listen to this episode! Pam and Kim discuss how to help young le...
Ep 62: Models That Aren't Our Fav
In this episode Pam and Kim show how three popular models - 100 charts, base ten blocks, and algebra tiles - while powerful for developing reasoning, can limit students' development of more sophisticated thinking as tools for computation. ...
Ep 61: Ten Frames
Continuing their series on models and modeling, Pam and Kim discuss the advantages and pitfalls of Ten Frames. They emphasize the power of models that can become tools for thinking and reasoning. Ten Frames can be an excellent tool for helping ...
Ep 60: Number Bonds and Tape Diagrams
Let's keep talking about modeling! A lot of you may be familiar with Number Bonds and Tape Diagrams and may be wondering about how they fit in with our modeling framework. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss these models and some of the confusi...
Ep 59: Why Not Manipulatives?
Are manipulatives sometimes overemphasized? When are they useful, and when can they actually get in the way of the mathematics? What role do they play in our discussion about the modeling framework? Pam and Kim discuss these tricky questions, a...
Ep 58: Introducing the Modeling Framework
It's time to talk about one of our foundational ideas for facilitating Real Math! In this episode Pam and Kim detail a modeling framework that helps students to learn to model their own thinking, and then to use models as tools for, or in order...
Ep 57: For Parents: How Can I Help My Kid?
If my experiences as a student are different than my child's experience at school, how can I help them succeed? In this episode for parents, we provide two clear ways you can support your child to be the best math student they can be. Be sure t...
Ep 56: For Parents: Why Does "New Math" Look Different?
Hey parents! Thank you so much for listening to part two of our series for parents. It can be really frustrating to not understand what it is your kid is doing on their homework. What is up with all of the drawing? Where are the algorithms and ...
Ep 55: For Parents: Why All the "New Math"?
This episode is for all the parents out there who are invested in helping their children! It can be frustrating to see how math class looks different than it did when we were students. Why is it different anyways? Why would math class have to c...
Ep 54: Q&A Part 2, Data Analytics and Advice for First Year Teachers
We love answering your questions! In this episode Pam and Kim answer a question submitted from Rachel Adler. Pam shares her experiences familiarizing her students with data representations, and then Pam and Kim discuss their best advice for fir...
Ep 53: Q&A Part 1, Do Strategies Change Over Time?
We loved getting all of your questions! Because there's so many questions, Pam and Kim will have to spend the next couple episodes answering them. In this episode they discuss a question about the relevancy of money strategies, and whether stra...
Ep 52: One Year Anniversary Highlight Reel
We are so grateful to be celebrating our one year anniversary of the podcast! It's been wonderful to hear all the feedback you've given us as you transform your classrooms. Here's to another year of mathematizing!Highlights:Ep 2...