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!

  • 25 minutes 8 seconds
    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!

    • Are algorithms fake math?
    • A better word than mathing?
    • What do mathematicians think about algorithms?
    • Do the math in mathematics education discussions so we have a common experience.

    Sign up for the Free Math is Figureoutable Challenge: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/challenge 

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

    21 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 3 minutes 22 seconds
    #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 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!




    16 January 2025, 5:00 am
  • 28 minutes 5 seconds
    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 about affecting change.
    Talking Points:

    • Spoilers! 
    • The effects of algorithms today 
    • What needs to change?
    • How do we contribute to change?
    • Math is everywhere
    • Giving students choice
    • Jo Boaler will be on the January 2025 Math is Figureoutable Challenge! 


    Sign up for the Free Math is Figureoutable Challenge: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/challenge  

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

    14 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 4 minutes 22 seconds
    #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, 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!

    9 January 2025, 5:00 am
  • 26 minutes 32 seconds
    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 
    • Experience versus instruction
    • Allowing students to grapple to in order to experience those aha moments
    • Problem String design

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

    7 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 3 minutes 34 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 58 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 3 seconds
    #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 41 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 5 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 24 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
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