Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Latest Episodes:

Ep 178: Talking Math With Your Kids: Division With Decimals Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

We can be our own kids' best teachers, even when it comes to gnarly division problems. In this episode Pam and Kim relay their experiences exploring decimal division with their own kids.
Talking Points:

A tool for holding your thinking - a ratio table
It's not about how much you can hold in your head
Help them start with what they know
Problem Strings are not about answering just the last problem
It isn't about being able to solve every problem
It's about owning the major relationships in order to think like a mathematician

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

#MathStratChat - November 8, 2023 Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 8, 2023.

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 177: NCTM Conference Reflections Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

Recorded live from NCTM! Pam and Kim discuss some of their experiences and takeaways from the 2023 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference.
Talking Points:

Travel stories
As kids grow, teachers grow as well
Know your content know your kids to choose Problem Strings for your students
Tools that focus on answer getting stifle students reasoning
Using a neutral response to keep students and adults continue their thinking
We all need to understand the content - teachers and learning

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

#MathStratChat - November 1, 2023 Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 1, 2023.

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 176: Place Value and Exploding Dots Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Place value is so much more than labeling digits. In this episode Pam and Kim dive into place value and common teaching practices that are necessary, but not enough.
Talking Points:

A fascination with the macabre
Typical place value labeling and additional things you can think about to develop place value
Precise questioning yields deeper place value thinking
What are Exploding Dots?
More about our place value system
Practicing expanded notation is not enough

You can register for the Place Value Mini-Workshop now! Don't miss your opportunity to transform your math teaching: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/mini
Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - October 25, 2023 Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 25, 2023.

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 175: The Most Sophisticated Division Strategy Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Division is figure-out-able! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the most sophisticated strategy for division and precursors that students can begin developing in the fourth grade!
Talking Points:

An Equivalent Ratios Problem String
Precursor relationships
Scaling up or Scaling down
What makes Equivalent Ratios the most sophisticated strategy for division
4th grade can begin to reason about division using the "bigger, smaller thing" to reason about division
5th grade can begin to reason about equivalence
Relational thinking

See Ep 64 and 132 for more on equivalent ratios!
Checkout mathisfigureoutable.com/relational-thinking for free exercises to develop the equivalent ratios strategy..
Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - October 18, 2023 Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 18, 2023.

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 174: The Most Sophisticated Multiplication Strategy Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Our students can learn to approach math problems like mathematicians! In this episode Pam and Kim look at one of the most sophisticated multiplication strategies that many mathematicians use.
Talking Points:

Creating an equivalent problem by Doubling and Halving.
What makes a problem reasonable to solve without a calculator?
Double/Halve; Triple/Find a Third; Quadruple/Find a fourth
What makes Doubling and Halving one of the most sophisticated multiplication strategies
Flexible Factoring - for more information see Ep 153
Pitfalls of direct teaching and strategy

Check out the Instructional Routine called Relational Thinking at: mathisfigureoutable.com/relational-thinking
Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

#MathStratChat - October 11, 2023 Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 11, 2023.

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!

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