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 49: Fractions, A Money Model Pt 2
In this episode Pam and Kim finish up their money Problem String from the last episode. But first, Pam wanted to reflect a little on how she was less than helpful when Kim was struggling to think about nickels. We all learn and grow, and self-r...
Ep 48: Fractions, A Money Model
It's time to talk about everyone's two favorite things: fractions and money! Fraction equivalence is a super important concept in mathematics, and it is best developed naturally in a familiar context. In this episode Pam and Kim model using coi...
Ep 47: Fractions as Fair Sharing
Let's keep talking fractions! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss an interesting rich task from Cathy Fosnot to help students reason about fractions within the context of sharing fairly. Listen in to learn about the outcomes teachers should loo...
Ep 46: Fractions for Young Learners
How young can young learners begin to experience fractions? Younger than you think! In this episode Pam and Kim describe simple ways we can help young students begin to develop fractional understanding. Pay attention to how natural it can be fo...
Ep 45: 5 Interpretations of Rational Numbers
Time to get into fractions! There is so much to learn about teaching fractions and in this episode we wanted to lay some important ground work. All too often we limit students by giving them experience with only one or two of the importan...
Ep 44: Is it About Personality?
Though some people think Kim and Pam's voices are hard to tell apart, teaching Real Math has nothing to do with a particular style or even personality type. We believe in seeing the humanity in students and empowering them with mathematical con...
Ep 43: Standardized Tests
If there's one thing that often comes up in teachers' conversations, it's standardized tests. And Pam and Kim are not afraid to tackle the tough conversations! In this episode Pam asks Kim about her experience with standardized tests, and how t...
Ep 42: Homework Pt 3
In this final episode in our series on homework, Pam and Kim discuss what types of homework teachers should send out, as well as some important pitfalls to avoid. Talking Points:Pen and paper homeworkGames as homework a...
Ep 41: Homework Pt 2
It's part two of our series on homework! Last time we heard Kim's perspective on when and what kinds of homework to give. Now it's Pam's turn. As a teacher for both high school and university classes, Pam gives an insightful look into when home...
Ep 40: Homework Pt 1
Welcome to our first off the cuff episode! Pam and Kim have no notes this time and are happy to tackle the topic of homework. Turns out, they have enough to say that this will be part one of a new series! Listen in as Kim makes a confession, an...
Ep 39: Everybody Learns, Everybody Grows
In this episode Pam and Kim discuss why a traditional teaching approach is not effective and propose an alternate way of teaching to help every student learn and grow. It's one of their guiding principles, and they can't believe they're only ju...
Ep 38: Multiplication Facts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Pt 5
We made it to our final episode in our multiplication facts series! In this episode Pam and Kim share ideas about helping kids narrow in on facts they struggle with after many opportunities and experiences with multiplication. This final episod...
Ep 37: Multiplication Facts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Pt 4
It's time for what you've all been waiting for. GAMES! Sure we don't want kids memorizing songs or rhymes to build their facts, but in this episode Pam and Kim bring the fun into multiplication. What games are out there that can help students b...
Ep 36: Multiplication Facts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Pt 3
Last episode Pam and Kim discussed how not to teach multiplication facts. So how should we teach them? This episode we look at multiplication facts through the lens of mathematizing using Problem Strings!Talking Points:The order...
Ep 35: Multiplication Facts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Pt 2
When choosing tasks to teach multiplication facts, what are the pitfalls to avoid? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss ways teachers may inadvertently 1) overemphasize speed, 2) introduce shame into their classrooms, and 3) focus on learning fa...
Ep 34: Multiplication Facts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Pt 1
In this episode Pam and Kim begin the first of another series: Multiplication Facts! What role can mathematizing and Real Math play in helping kids master their multiplication facts? Listen in as Pam and Kim outline the differences between 'kno...
Ep 33: Problem Strings vs Problem Talks
In the last two episodes, Pam and Kim did some really cool Problem Strings, but what do they think about Number Talks? Listen in as Pam explains how Number Talks and Problem Strings can go hand in hand for powerful results.Talking Points:
Ep 32: Another Cool Multiplication Strategy
It's time for another Problem String! In this episode Pam and Kim highlight one of their favorite multiplication strategies. It's so slick! In doing so they continue the conversation about the importance of letting students discover and develop...
Ep: 31: A Cool Multiplication Strategy
In this episode Pam and Kim want to help you develop a cool multiplication strategy. Which multiplication strategy? We aren't going to tell you until the end of the episode : -). We believe in developing strategies as natural outcomes, and then...
Ep 30: Ten Minute Math
Don't you just love taking a break to play with numbers? In this week's episode, Pam and Kim share some of the ways that they engage with kids of all ages outside of school to get them mathematizing. Parents, ever wondered what can you do for j...
Ep 29: Ratio Tables!
In this episode Pam and Kim dive deep into their favorite model for multiplication, division, and solving proportions: ratio tables! They'll discuss 3 ways ratio tables can be a powerful tool to help students mathematize from 3rd grade to high ...
Ep 28: Why Doesn't Everyone Teach Math This Way?
This week Pam and Kim wrap up their discussion on the Perspectives that Impact Math Pedagogy. Understanding the X, Y, and Z perspectives not only helps us understand one another better, but empowers us to choose to take on the Real Mathematics ...
Ep 27: Need to Know Why (The Y Perspective)
We've made it to our last (and maybe favorite) perspective that impacts pedagogy. The Y perspective describes those who struggle with fake math because they deeply desire to know "why". Pam and Kim describe people in their lives who grew up wit...
Ep 26: Math is Mimicking (The Z Perspective)
This episode is all about the Z perspective. Listen in to hear about the perspective that This episode is all about the Z perspective. Listen in to hear about the perspective that Pam estimates influences the majority of math educators. It was ...
Ep 25: Making Sense of the Math (The X Perspective)
Continuing in the Perspectives Impacting Pedagogy Series, Pam and Kim discuss the X perspective. Did you play with numbers as a kid? Did math make natural sense to you, regardless of how your teacher taught it? You might relate to the X perspec...