Math is Figure-Out-Able with Pam Harris

Pam Harris

Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what?Join them for ~15 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!

  • 3 minutes 32 seconds
    #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 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!

    2 January 2025, 5:00 am
  • 22 minutes 56 seconds
    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 doing
    • Inversely proportional vs direct variation with non-unit scaling
    • Common misunderstandings

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

    31 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 5 minutes
    #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 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!

    26 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 25 minutes 39 seconds
    Ep 236: Exponent Relationships Pt 5

    Did you know that students can understand negative exponents without being told what they mean? In this episode Pam and Kim wrap up their series on exponent relationships.
    Talking Points:

    • New listeners, where to start? Episode 156 Start Here
    • Discovering Negative Exponents
    • Give students experiences first and let them make sense of it
    • Using equivalent expressions to help students visualize and make generalizations
    • What grade levels are these strings for?

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

    24 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 4 minutes 2 seconds
    #MathStratChat - December 18, 2024

    In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 18, 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!

    19 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 23 minutes 22 seconds
    Ep 235: Exponent Relationships Pt 4

    What if students actually understood using common factors to simplify complex division expressions? In this episode Pam and Kim divide exponents without reciting a rule.
    Talking Points:

    • Thinking versus reasoning
    • Problem String Dividing Exponents
    • "Canceling" vs "Dividing out to equal 1"
    • Focus on left over factors vs mimicking a rule
    • Why start with smaller bases?

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

    17 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 5 minutes 37 seconds
    #MathStratChat - December 11, 2024

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

    12 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 23 minutes 14 seconds
    Ep 234: Exponent Relationships Pt 3

    When variables and exponents start mixing, we need to memorize the rules, right? In this episode Pam and Kim develop exponential relationships, not rules.
    Talking Points:

    • How "Kim's Notes" became "Half Sheets"
    • Problem String to explore multiplicative relationships when working with exponents.
    • Generalizing multiplication of exponents

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

    10 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 4 minutes 36 seconds
    #MathStratChat - December 4, 2024

    In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 4, 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

    5 December 2024, 5:00 am
  • 23 minutes 53 seconds
    Ep 233: Exponent Relationships Pt 2

    Would you believe I'm more comfortable dealing with exponents because I haven't memorized the rules? In this episode Pam and Kim continue building exponentiation with a great problem string
    Talking Points:

    • Problem string to help build exponentiation
    • When and how to introduce vocabulary
    • Teacher move: Choosing who shares, and in what order
    • More confident reasoning without the rules
    • Teacher Move: Generalizing

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

    3 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 5 minutes 27 seconds
    #MathStratChat - November 27, 2024

    In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 27, 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

    28 November 2024, 5:00 am
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