Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Latest Episodes:

Ep 193: Compliance Too Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

What message do we want to send to students about compliance? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about the importance of respecting student dignity and separating math from punishment.
Talking Points:

Senario of compliance
Reasons we seek compliance from students
Math is not a punishment or taking it away, a reward
Pam and Kim reflect on some of their early experiences
Is it about the math or about the compliance?
Do your grades reflect compliance?

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - February 21, 2024 Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 21, 2024.

Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.

Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.

Twitter: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Ep 192: Compliance - What do you require in a math class? Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

A huge part of any teacher's life is classroom management, setting expectations, and compliance. In this episode Pam and Kim consider when compliance might or might not be helpful in a math classroom.
Talking Points:

Sucked down the Math Is Figureoutable vortex
Would you rather have compliant students? Or have students who question?
There are times when compliance is important
Kim and Pam's early experiences with compliance
Negative consequences for non-compliance aren't always helpful
Creating a learning atmosphere
Model your expectations
Time for reflection not finger wagging

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - February 14, 2024 Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 14, 2024.

Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.

Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.

Twitter: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Ep 191: PEMDAS Is Figureoutable Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Thinking and reasoning is always more powerful than rotely memorizing steps. In this episode Pam and Kim demonstrate how to help students reason about Order of Operations.
Talking Points:

Nat Banting's "Oops, I Meant"
Representing a context using the grouping symbols to communicate
Demonstrate how mathematicians communicate with symbols earl
Using the equals sign correctly to mean "equal" vs "Do it""
No more unnecessarily difficult practice

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - February 7, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 7, 2024.

Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.

Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.

Twitter: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Ep 190: The Problem With PEMDAS Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Order of operations seems more rote memorizable than figure-out-able, or is it? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the pitfalls of teaching order of operations as an acronym to memorize, and offer a better alternative.
Talking Points:

It's about communication rather than a thing to memorize.
The notation is social knowledge.
The order is logical mathematical knowledge and therefore figure-out-able!
Open-middle problems for meaningful practice.

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - January 31, 2024 Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 31, 2024.

Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.

Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.

Twitter: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Ep 189: The Operator Meaning of Fractions Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Finding a fraction of something can be a tricky concept. In this episode Pam and Kim run through two strings that help reason about using fractions as operators.
Talking Points:

How are unit fractions related like halves, fourth and eighths?
Scaling and Over Strategy with unit fractions
Fractions as operators
Why is scaling a unit fractions critical? Knowing that three fourths is the same as three 1/4s?
Knowing non-unit fractions from fractions is a precursor.
Thinking of fractions only as part-whole is not sufficient.
A different problem string using the operator meaning of fractions.

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - January 24, 2024 Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 24, 2024.

Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.

Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.

Twitter: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Want more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!