Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Mathematics is everywhere, but if students don't know how to reason they may not want to engage and play with numbers or see all the opportunities to do so. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss scenarios where they play with mathematical concepts in their daily lives.

Talking Points

• Playing with numbers...double, half, factors, multiples, etc.
• What numbers do they play with? House numbers, license plates, time, price...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 17, 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 Harri...

Have students that struggle with word problems? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the best way to help students succeed when faced with a word problem.

Talking points:

• Why mimicking makes word problems harder
• Reasoners develop greater stamina
• Developing the feel of actions of the operations

Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics ...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 10, 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 Harri...

Is the goal of math class all about getting answers? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how their work differs from those who promote traditional math classrooms and even some conceptual inquiry based classrooms.

Talking Points:

• Teaching algorithms as the goal is detrimental
• What is the goal?
• Teachers need their own math learning experiences
• We want students to own relationships to develop strategies that they will use in...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 3, 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...

How does the definition of fluency change when your goal for math class changes? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss in some areas of mathematics they aim for fluency and how students use those relationships to build from.

Talking Points:

• Buzzwords
• What are our goals?
• Does automaticity need to be drilled or can it develop naturally?
• Strategies are synergistic 
• Fluency with decomposing numbers
• Functional fluency
• Fluency with p...

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

How can we bridge from proportional reasoning to functional reasoning? In this episode Pam and Kim talk through a Problem String that moves students from proportional reasoning into linear functions.

Talking Points:

• Building Proportions Problem String
• Thinking about "between" and "within" relationships in a ratio table
• Slope, rate of change, similar triangles, equivalence: all figure-out-able
• Ratios and...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 20, 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, ...

How do mathy people approach mathematics? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss different mathematical behaviors and the value of engendering them in students.

Talking Points:

• Reflecting about what else you could have done that might be more sophisticated
• Seeking the "ooh" factor or the "aha" moment
• Compare strategies and make connections
• Making choices based on numbers or the structure
• Seeking efficiency ...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 13, 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, ...

Does inquiry mean leaving students to their own devices? In this episode Pam and Kim share their thoughts on the debate teaching reasoning vs. teaching procedures.

Talking Points:

• We all want what's best for students
• Sometimes educators talk past each other, using words without examples to give meaning
• Experiencing mathing is different from helping students learn to do the mental actions of mathing
• Is there a continuu...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 6, 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, a...

How can teachers help students be more sophisticated additive reasoners? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the major addition strategies, what properties they use, and how to model student thinking.

Talking Points:

• Addition strategies and models
• Addition strategies modeled with equations
• Proporties that the addition strategies are based on
• When manipulatives are appropriate
• Why teachers need to own the major strategies ad...

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

If your only focus is answer getting, students may never experience and grapple with and understand multiplicative properties. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to use models to help students progress to more sophisticated strategies using multiplicative properties.

Talking Points:

• Modelling different strategies on area models, ratio tables, and equations
• Using models to visualize properties
• Strategies that use the ...

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

How does proportional thinking prepare students for reasoning with variables? In this episode Pam and Kim explore the transition from proportional reasoning to functional reasoning.

Talking Points:

• Connecting proportional reasoning to linear functions
• Scaling triangles
• Proportions "within" and "between"
• Introducing tricks stifles students' opportunity to build sophisticated reasoning 
• Rich task with...