Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In the season of giving, Math is Figure-Out-Able is giving some free stuff to you! In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss free opportunities to learn and grow as a teacher.

Talking Points:

• Join the Teacher Facebook Group
• Podcast Episodes 156 "Start Here"
• Development of Mathematical Reasoning Episodes 5, 6, 67, 68
• Focus on Fluency in Episode 277
• Math is FigureOutAble Blog
• Problem String Videos
• Numberclub Webinar
• Our Free Developi...

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

Who does not love free? We do, and know you do too!
In this episode, Pam and Kim kick of the 12 Days of Free, Math is Figureoutable style! Tune in to hear the first 6 FREE opportunities for supporting your math teaching.

Talking Points:

• The Most Important Numeracy Strategies ebook
• #MathStratChat
• TryThisTuesday/Thursday
• Problem Strings Guide
• Math if Figure-out-Able Podcast favorite 3 episodes
• How to receive our weekly ema...

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

Why do we listen to student thinking? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how listening is a powerful tool for both coaching and teaching.

Talking Points:

• Why do we listen?
• What do we do after listening?
• Listening in service of moving the student or teacher forward
• The Success Map and Developing Mathematical Reasoning
• Affirming Learning Walks 
• Distinguishing methods from end goals
• Mathematical and Community Building purposes...

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

Sometimes a little shift makes all the difference. In this episode, Pam and Kim describe the new mini workshop for introducing secondary teachers to the small shifts in their teaching that can bring reasoning into their classrooms.

Talking Points:

• Cathy Fosnot's 'Young Mathematicians At Work'
• Introducing new 'mini' workshops on Transforming Teaching 6-12
• Bridging the gap between K-5 and secondary ...

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

As the end of the year gets closer, it's a great time to reflect what and who we are grateful for! In this episode, Pam and Kim pause to give thanks for the wonderful work being done around the world to make math more figureoutable.

Talking Points:

• Grateful for YOU, listeners!
• Grateful for our amazing teacher Facebook group
• Grateful for our Journey and JourneyLeader communities
• Grateful for the Math is FigureOutAble team
• Gratefu...

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

With so many models, what role do equations play? In this episode, Kim takes Pam through a Problem String that can only be modeled with equations and shares why.

Talking Points:

• Fibonacci Day
• Utilizing choice is a mathematical behavior
• Differentiating instruction through strategies
• Swapping, not a major strategy, but a fun one
• Models vs. Strategies
• Equations as models for equivalance strategies

Check out our social media...

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

Understanding math is important, and fun. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the necessity of play in mathematics education and share when, where, and why they each play differently with math.

Talking Points:

• Dr. Brad Ballinger's view that algorithms are...playful??
• The fun and educational value of simply playing with mathmatics 
• How Pam and Kim differ in their purposes and preferences when playing with math
• How #Ma...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 5, 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,...

There's a brand new book for K-2 teachers! In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how strategies in early mathematics build upon each other and increase in sophistication for future learning.

Talking Points:

• Strategies build on each other, algorithms do not
• The importance of building relationships and mental actions in students' brains
• Get to Ten grows up to Get to a Friendly Number
• Add Ten grows up to Add a Friend...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 29, 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 adjust our teaching to meet the needs of our students? In this episode, Pam proposes a series of rapid-fire pedagogical scenarios for Kim to respond to with her best advice. What will Kim say in 90 seconds or less?

Talking Points:

• What to do about a student who only solves addition problems left to right?
• How to handle a student who always signals to pass during Problem Strings?
• Ways to encourage students to u...

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

Pam and Kim went to NCSM and NCTM in Atlanta!  In this episode, they share some of their favorite moments, biggest take-aways, and new insights gleaned from the sessions they attended and the people they met.

Talking Points:

• Discussing the meaning of "algorithm" with Sarah Bush and Karen Karp, authors of The Math Pact 
• Importance of talk moves and listening moves, with Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz, authors o...