Math is Figure-Out-Able with 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.
Episodes
It's time to talk about one of our fundamental methodologies for facilitating real math! In this episode Pam and Kim detail their modeling framework that teaches students to learn to model their own thinking, and then to use models as tools for computation. The framework empowers students to structure their reasoning and to approach complex problems with confidence.
Talking Points:
If my experiences as a student are different than my child's experience at school, how can I help them succeed? In this episode for parents, we provide two clear ways they can support their child to be the best math student they can be. Be sure to listen to episodes 55 and 56 for the rest our series for parents.
Talking Points
Hey parents! Thank you so much for listening to part two of our series for parents. It can be really frustrating to not understand what it is your kid is doing on their homework. What is up with all of the drawing? Where are the algorithms and simple steps? In this episode we'll explain the purpose and goal of why the math on your kid's paper looks different.
Talking Points:
This episode is for all the parents out there who are invested in helping their children! It can be frustrating to see how math class looks different than it did when we were students. Why is it different anyways? Why would math class have to change? We are so grateful you're taking the time to ask, we'll do our best to provide some answers.
Talking Points:
We love answering your questions! In this episode Pam and Kim answer a question submitted from Rachel Adler. Pam shares her experiences familiarizing her students with data representations, and then Pam and Kim discuss their best advice for first year teachers.
Talking Points:
We loved getting all of your questions! Because there's so many questions, Pam and Kim will have to spend the next couple episodes answering them. In this episode they discuss a question about the relevancy of money strategies, and whether strategies will change over time.
Talking Points:
Extra resources: Which One Doesn't Belong (https://wodb.ca)
We are so grateful to be celebrating our one year anniversary of the podcast! It's been wonderful to hear all the feedback you've given us as you transform your classrooms. Here's to another year of mathematizing!
Highlights:
We've had so much fun talking about fractions! In this episode Pam and Kim do another Problem String to demonstrate the effectiveness of a clock model.
Talking Points:
How important is fractional equivalence? Important enough for another model! These models are fantastic for helping students develop a natural understanding of equivalent fractions. Listen in as Kim and Pam discuss how to use a clock model for denominators uncommon to the money model.
Talking Points:
In this episode Pam and Kim finish up their money Problem String from the last episode. But first, Pam wanted to reflect a little on how she was less than helpful when Kim was struggling to think about nickels. We all learn and grow, and self-reflection is super important!
Talking Points
It's time to talk about everyone's two favorite things: fractions and money! Fraction equivalence is a super important concept in mathematics, and it is best developed naturally in familiar circumstances. In this episode Pam and Kim use coin denominations to demonstrate how students can learn to reason about fractional equivalence.
Talking Points
Let's keep talking fractions! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss an extremely effective rich task from Cathy Fosnot to help students reason about fractions within the context of sharing fairly. Listen in to learn about the outcomes teachers should work towards when teaching fractional sense.
Talking Points:
Additional...
How young is too young to learn fractions? Younger than you think! In this episode Pam and Kim describe simple ways we can help young students develop fractional understanding. Pay attention to how natural it can be for young learners to learn math!
Talking Points:
Additional sources:
Time to get into fractions! There is so much to learn about teaching fractions and in this episode we wanted to lay some important ground work.? All too often we limit students to just one or two of the important ways fractions can be interpreted. When we help students fully understand fractions, their ability to think proportionally skyrockets!
Talking Points
Though some people think Kim and Pam's voices are hard to tell apart, teaching real math has nothing to do with a particular personality type or style. We believe in seeing the humanity in students and empowering them with mathematical confidence!
Talking Points
If there's one things teachers like talking about, it's standardized tests, and Pam and Kim are no exception! In this episode Pam asks Kim about her experience with standardized tests, and how teaching real math helped Kim's students to succeed. Also don't forget to send in questions for our special 50th episode! We're so excited!
Talking Points
In this final episode in our series on homework, Pam and Kim discuss what types of homework teachers should send out, as well as some important pitfalls to avoid.
Talking Points:
It's part two of our series on homework! Last time we heard Kim's perspective on when and what kinds of homework to give, but now it's Pam's turn. As a teacher for both high school and university classes, Pam gives an insightful look into when homework is necessary, but how we can always allow the humanity of our students to have precedence.
Talking points
Welcome to our first off the cuff episode! Pam and Kim have no notes this time and are happy to tackle the topic of homework. Turns out, they have enough to say that this will be part one of a new series! Listen in as Kim makes a confession, and Pam rats out her kids.
Talking points
In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the secret to helping every student succeed. It's one of their guiding principles, and they can't believe they're only just now sharing it!
Talking Points
Popular Podcasts
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
We’re at our most vulnerable when we go to our doctors. We trust the person at the other end of that scalpel. We trust the hospital. We trust the system. Christopher Duntsch was a neurosurgeon who radiated confidence. He claimed he was the best in Dallas. If you had back pain, and had tried everything else, Dr. Duntsch could give you the spine surgery that would take your pain away. But soon his patients started to experience complications, and the system failed to protect them. Which begs the question: who - or what - is that system meant to protect? From Wondery, the network behind the hit podcast Dirty John, DR. DEATH is a story about a charming surgeon, 33 patients and a spineless system. Reported and hosted by Laura Beil.
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.