Math is Figure-Out-Able!

How should context and models be used to build strategy? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a sequence of tasks regarding area to demonstrate a better approach for building understanding, abstraction, and strategy as a natural outcome. Talking Points Hand2mind Foundations for Strategies Use of manipulatives to feel the meaning of area Guiding students to become more sophisticated, both in models a...

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

If multiplication facts are so fundamental, why do students who memorize them struggle with multiplicative reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim take a hard look at what students need to succeed multiplicatively. Talking Points What does it mean to 'know' multiplication facts? Using multiplication to solve subtraction problems Memorizing facts doesn't build complex multiplicative...

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

How can we prepare students to grapple with algebraic concepts? In this episode, Pam and Kim further adapt factor puzzles for developing understanding of both decomposing and combining expressions. Talking Points: Helping students understand algebraic expressions Differences in adding and multiplying variables Relationships between terms in algebraic expressions The need for multiplicative reasoni...

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

Why is practice sometimes not enough for students to become comfortable multiplying and adding integers? In this episode, Pam and Kim explore more with Factor Puzzles, this time with integers! Talking Points: Gaining experience multiplying and adding with negative integers Purposefulness of keeping certain numbers constant in the factor puzzles Practical applications of when to do Factor Puzzles ...

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

What is a great way for student's to increase their factor fluency and move from additive reasoning to multiplicative reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim play with factor puzzles and describe their many benefits. Talking Points: Kim loves podcast reviews! Factor Puzzles routine Generalizing patterns to develop algebraic reasoning  Building multplicative reasoning Fluency with factor pairs...

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

What does the day-to-day of a math is figureoutable classroom look like? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the new book for teachers of Grades 3-5 to transform their teaching.  Talking Points: New book release for Grades 3-5! Development of Mathematical Reasoning Additive Reasoning Multiplicative Reasoning Problem String walkthroughs and videos Rich tasks, routines, models and modeling Next ste...

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

Using strategies to solve problems sounds good, but what if my students don't know the basics? In this episode, Pam and Kim dispel the myth that "the basics" needed for mimicking algorithms are the same as the fundamentals for math-ing. Talking Points The limitations of rote memorization and the benefits of strategic thinking The challenges of shifting away from traditional math tea...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 25, 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 does it take to make real change in a school's math program? In this episode, Pam and Kim share what does and doesn't work to make lasting, systemic change in mathematics teaching for schools and school districts. Talking Points: Teachers should not have to be expert teachers and expert curriculum writers at the same time. Good curriculum change alone is not enough Lock-step plans b...

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

It's great to learn from other educators. In this episode, Pam and Kim relay their experience at NCTM Spring 2026, giving their unique perspective of modern teaching trends. Talking Points: The need to define the terms curriculum, resources, scope and sequence, standards, content Clarity before competence  Mathematics as both a noun and a verb Caution around "research" and the &quot...

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

How can you tweak a Problem String to work perfectly for your class? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a subtraction Problem String, and then unpack what changes they'd make for different audiences. Talking Points: A subtraction Problem String with the Over strategy The purpose of "what could a Helper be"? When to provide a Helper problem Adult-ish Problem Strings can cover more co...

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

Introducing new math concepts can be tricky. In this episode, Pam and Kim do a Problem String to introduce logarithms in a natural, figureoutable way. Talking Points Problem String to introduce students to logarithms Differences between logarithms and algorithms Relationship between logarithms and exponents Developing exponential equations Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: P...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 28, 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...

Are your Number Talks purposeful? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the when, how, and why of Number Talks, which they call Problem Talks. Talking Points: Problem Talk vs. Problem String When and why to use a Problem Talk Example Problem Talk of 15 x 36 Deciding whose strategy to represent Problem Talks are still instructional How many students to choose Choosing a rich problem   For more about...

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

There is much more to fractions than "cross multiply and divide". In this episode, Pam and Kim facilitate a Problem String to explore the partitive meaning of fractions. Talking Points: Fractions and division The partitive meaning of fractions Equivalent fractions Relational reasoning in understanding fractions Scaling up or down to find equivalent, simpler problems Check out our social...