Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Math is Figure-Out-Able!

Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 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. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!

Episodes

January 20, 2026 21 mins

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


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In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 14, 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

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, m...

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January 13, 2026 20 mins

Part of being a good teacher is teaching with integrity and consistency. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the importance of knowing your beliefs about teaching and learning math to guide your choices and decision making.

Talking Points:

  • Mathematics is hierarchical 
  • Development of Mathematical Reasoning framework
  • Know your content, know your kids
  • Success Map framework
  • Developing a cohesive vision for math and math teachi...
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January 7, 2026 3 mins

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 7, 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

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, ma...

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January 6, 2026 18 mins

How did you grow in 2025? What are your goals for 2026? In this podcast, Pam and Kim reflect on 2025 and share the exciting things they are working towards in 2026.

Talking Points:

  • Recapping highlights of 2025
  • Problem String book series completed
  • Development of Mathematical Reasoning anchor and companion books
  • Foundations for Strategies
  • New workshops in 2025 and 2026 
  • Free opportunities in 2026
  • Conferences in 2026

Check o...

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December 31, 2025 4 mins

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 31, 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, author, ...

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December 30, 2025 23 mins

All teachers are different, but we should all teach intentionally. In this episode, Kim surprises Pam with a collection of favorite "Pam-isms" and asks Pam to elaborate on whether each one is an intentional teacher move and why it is important, or if it is just her personality.

Talking Points

  • Ninety-niiiiiiiiine...
  • Is that legal?
  • Isn't it nice, when the answer is the question?
  • Sit up tall, you just mathed!
  • Ma...
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December 24, 2025 3 mins

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 24, 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, author, ...

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December 23, 2025 21 mins

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...
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December 17, 2025 3 mins

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...

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December 16, 2025 16 mins

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...
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December 10, 2025 2 mins

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...

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December 9, 2025 23 mins

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...
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December 3, 2025 2 mins

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,...

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December 2, 2025 15 mins

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 ...
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November 26, 2025 4 mins

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...

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November 25, 2025 18 mins

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...
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November 20, 2025 3 mins

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...

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November 18, 2025 22 mins

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

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November 12, 2025 2 mins

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...

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