Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 14, 2026.  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 Ha...

What perspective and assumptions do you bring to your teaching? In this episode, Pam and Kim introduce a model mapping teaching style (direct teach vs. inquiry) against whether a teacher "maths" (uses relationships/connections) or mimics/rote memorizes. Talking Points: "Inquiry-based" + Mimicking "Direct teach" + Mimicking "Inquiry-based"+ Math-ing "Dir...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 7, 2026.  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 Har...

What can we do to keep students thinking, instead of waiting to be told what to do? In this episode Pam and Kim focus on an algebra Problem String that helps students learn to choose between strategies. Talking Points: What it mean to keep kids in "Thinking Land" How to keep students actively reasoning versus cueing them to mimic/memorize steps How the same instructional phrase can lead...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 30, 2026.  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...

What does explicit teaching mean to you? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss an Adding Mixed Numbers Problem String, idenitfying exactly what teachers should be explicit about versus what they should leave for students to grapple with. Talking Points: Being explicit about the student's job during a Problem String Ways to nudge students to make connections Eliciting specific strategies Creati...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 23, 2026.  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...

When do we allow students more freedom, and when do we need to be more explicit? In this episode, Pam and Kim analyze a Distance vs. Removal subtraction Problem String, identifying when they are explicit and when they are not. Talking Points: Intentional contexts, number choices, and problem order Choosing which strategies to elicit and represent Planned board layouts  Focusing the conversation  H...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 16, 2026.  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...

Many aspects of teaching can be improved by being more explicit. In this episode, Pam and Kim identify specific categories where explicit teaching is necessary, borrowing Piaget's distinction between social-conventional and logical-mathematical knowledge. Talking Points: Being explicit about a goal doesn't mean teaching it as a step-by-step procedure. Good teaching requires explicit goal...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 9, 2026.  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 H...

Is the popular discussion around "explicit teaching" helpful? Do we all envision the same thing? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss their thoughts about "explicit teaching", and which parts of mathematics require explicit teaching, and which do not. Talking Points: The difference between social-conventional knowledge and logical- mathematical knowledge Examples of social know...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 2, 2026.  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 H...

What does reasoning about algebraic expressions look like? In this episode, Kim facilitates a Problem String that has Pam solving equations using equivalence. Talking Points: Using comparison to ignore commonalities on both sides of an equation Equivalence strategies are the most sophisticated Learning to think relationally, rather than procedurally Relational thinking builds mathematical identity...

 In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 26, 2026.  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 Ha...

With so much to teach every year, we know you're always looking for the biggest impact for long term success for your students. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss models that grow with students as they learn more and more mathematics. Talking Points: Verticality in practice standards, content progressions, vocabulary, notation, and strategies  How area models extend from elementary to high...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 19, 2026.  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 Har...

What experiences do you seek out to become a better teacher? In this episode, Pam and Kim describe how experiences lead to beliefs, then actions, and ultimately results, They then explore the most impactful experiences available to teachers and leaders everywhere. Talking Points: "More experiences" means more than just repetition Experiences build beliefs that power actions The need for...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 12, 2026.  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 Har...

Is improving math education as simple as telling teachers and students what actions to take to achieve the desired results? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the Results Pyramid and how experiences are what builds beliefs, which inform the actions that ultimately determine our results. Talking Points: Why the Results Pyramid is a model for lasting change The importance of experiences to shift b...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 29, 2026.  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 Harri...

Rich Tasks are a powerful lesson structure and can be challenging to implement effectively. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the preparation and approach needed to facilitate a successful Rich Task. Talking points: Know your content, know your students Importance of knowing who engages or shuts down, students' prior math experiences, who seeks extra challenge, and what's going on in...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 29, 2026.  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 Harri...

How do you cultivate flexibility in your classroom? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss expectations, perspectives, and techniques that help students develop mathematical flexibility. Talking Points: The subtle messages of "That's not what we are doing right now." Difference between feeling invited vs. feeling commanded Crafting the conversation Honoring students' thinking Resp...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 22, 2026.  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 Harri...