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 247: Avoid the Digit Trap
Why do students not realize their incorrect answers are completely unreasonable? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss another trap students fall into when taught to mimic algorithms as 'the way' to solve problems.Talking Points:
#MathStratChat - March 5, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 5, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies,...
Ep 246: Avoid the Trap of Using Less Sophisticated Reasoning
If a student can perform an algorithm, have they developed the mathematical reasoning that operation calls for? Or are they answer-getting? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss a major trap students fall into when we teach mathematics as a serie...
#MathStratChat - February 26, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 26, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strateg...
Ep 245: Three Distortions that Ruin Math Teaching
If math is figure-out-able why does the world not always teach it that way? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the three major distortions holding back math education today.Autostereograms as a metaphorHow the distortions ...
#MathStratChat - February 19, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 19, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strateg...
Ep 244: Opportunities for Awareness of Current Math Teaching Topics
There are so many way to participate in math professional learning! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss some benefits of choosing your own learning and engaging in free opportunities. Talking Points:Traditional forms of professi...
#MathStratChat - February 12, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 12, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strateg...
Ep 243: Integer Division
In this episode Pam and Kim use what students know about integer multiplication to tackle integer division (without mismatching rules or randomly switching signs).Talking Points:Reasoning about integer multiplication is grou...
#MathStratChat - February 5, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 5, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategi...
Ep 242: Integer Multiplication
One of our most requested topics! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss integer multiplication without mismatching rules or randomly switching signs. Talking Points:Whole number multiplication strategies + meaning of inte...
#MathStratChat - January 29, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 29, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategi...
Ep 241: Algorithm vs Problem Talk vs Problem String
Is mathing just about allowing students to solve problems their way? Aren't Probem Strings and Problem Talks really just the same routine? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how Problem Strings move beyond Problem Talks to develop student's ma...
#MathStratChat - January 22, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 22, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategi...
Ep 240: Real Math, Fake Math?
Math may be figureoutable, but communication can be tricky! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss things to consider in order to be clear in the message we send when we speak about mathematics education.Talking Points:Duking it out!
#MathStratChat - January 15, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 15, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategi...
Ep 239: Counted Out
People across the world are changing math education. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the documentary Counted Out that they were fortunate to see. They spotlight some of the thoughts of a few of the great researchers and add their thoughts a...
Ep 239: Counted Out (SPOILER FREE)
People across the world are changing math education. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the documentary Counted Out that they were fortunate to see. They spotlight some of the thoughts of a few of the great researchers and add their thoughts a...
#MathStratChat - January 8, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 8, 2025.Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, bef...
Ep 238: Inverse Variation Pt 2
Are inverse functions figureoutable? In this episode Pam and Kim go more into the nuance of when and how we want students to tackle inverse relationships.Talking Points:When to introduce inverse proportions Experie...
#MathStratChat - January 1, 2025
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 1, 2025. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategie...
Ep 237: Inverse Variation Pt 1
What does it mean for something to be an inverse, or to be inversely proportional? In this episode Pam and Kim look at a specific kind of proportional reasoning.Talking Points:It's worth thinking before doingInversely p...
#MathStratChat - December 25, 2024
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 25, 2024. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strateg...
