Math is Figure-Out-Able!

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 Harris_math

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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 goals.
• Examples of Math Content Goals&nbs...

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 Harris_math

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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 knowledge and when students must be told somethin...

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 Harris_math

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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 and genuine engagement

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 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 Harris_m...

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 school
• Open number lines ma...

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 Harris_math

Fac...

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 multifaceted, varied experiences
• Exper...

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 Harris_math

Fac...

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 beliefs
• The ineffectiveness ...

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 Harris_math

Faceb...

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 their lives.
• Need to set expectations
• ...

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 Harris_math

Faceb...

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
• Responding to,"Can't I just solve it this way?"
• Helpin...

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 Harris_math

Faceb...

You already know that we seek for flexibility, efficiency, being clever, and owning a variety of mathematical strategies. But what about grading students based on how many strategies they own to solve a problem? And what does "clever" even mean?  Tune in as Pam and Kim discuss their definitions of "clever" and how we can help students seek for clever math strategies.

Talking Points:

• The meaning of 'clever' and how t...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 15, 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_math

Faceb...