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 - June 4, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 4, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, ...
Ep 259: Universal Screeners: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Part 2
We've got a lot to say about screeners! In this episode Pam and Kim dig a bit more into why we screen and what we do with the results.Talking Points:Are screeners useful for diagnosing and grouping students?Are asse...
#MathStratChat - May 28, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 28, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, ...
Ep 258: Universal Screeners: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Part 1
Are Universal Screeners worth the time and effort? What do we gain? In this episode Pam and Kim begin their discussion about using Universal Screeners and raise some wonders for consideration.Talking Points:Defining sc...
#MathStratChat - May 21, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 21, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, ...
Ep257: Are Problem Strings the Same as Thin Slicing? Pt 2
Do Problem Strings and Thin Slicing achieve the same results? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the differences between Problem Strings and Dr. Liljedahl's Thin Slicing.Talking Points:Different purposes, different facilita...
#MathStratChat - May 14, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 14, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, ...
Ep 256: Are Problem Strings the Same as Thin Slicing? Pt 1
Are Problem Strings the same thing as Thin Slicing? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about the similarities between Problem Strings and Dr. Peter Liljedahl's Thin Slicing.Talking Points:Example Problem String:Calling...
#MathStratChat - May 7, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 7, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, b...
Ep 255: After a Problem String
You facilitated a Problem String! ... Now what? In this episode Pam and Kim share they think about after facilitating a Problem String and what their next steps for their classroom might be.Talking Points:Ways to up the ante...
#MathStratChat - April 30, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 30, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
Ep 254: Preparing for a Problem String
You've chosen a Problem String to teach, but does it need any preparation? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they prepare to facilitate a Problem String.Talking Points:Is it ok to adjust a pre-written Problem String?
#MathStratChat - April 23, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 23, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
Ep 253: Choosing a Problem String
Which Problem Strings are appropriate for your students? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss what they consider when choosing a Problem String for a classroom.Talking Points:A fraction addition example stringThings ...
#MathStratChat - April 16, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 16, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
Ep 252: Foundations for Multi-Digit Multiplication & Division Strategies
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit multiplication and division strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit multiplication and di...
#MathStratChat - April 9, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 9, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies,...
Ep 251: Foundations for Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction Strategies
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit addition and subtraction strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit addition and subtraction...
#MathStratChat - April 2, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 2, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies,...
Ep 250: Foundations for Single Digit Multiplication & Division Strategies
Math class is richer and more fun when the goal is more than answer-getting!In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for single digit multiplication and division:...
#MathStratChat - March 26, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 26, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
Ep 249: Foundations for Single Digit Addition & Subtraction Strategies
What should the bulk of math class look like? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss sequencing tasks to build foundational relationships that develop into major strategies.Talking PointsMajor relationships that build the major...
#MathStratChat - March 19, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 19, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies...
Ep 248: Avoid the I'm Not A Math Person Trap
Why do students give up on learning math? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how using algorithms as teaching tools is distorting students' perception of what the definition of math is, which results in a poor mathematical identity. <...
