Advertise on podcast: Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 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 Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Looking for useful games and materials for your classroom? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss some of the classroom materials and games they love and what makes them great. Talking Points: Games and resources that do NOT lead towards an algorithmThe value of games with strategy choice and without time/speed Hand2mind Foundations for StrategiesNumber Hive games for differentiation and to practice factsMath For Love gamesNumberClub games to build understanding Wipebooks for Rich TasksCheck out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 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 Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

How should context and models be used to build strategy? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a sequence of tasks regarding area to demonstrate a better approach for building understanding, abstraction, and strategy as a natural outcome. Talking Points Hand2mind Foundations for StrategiesUse of manipulatives to feel the meaning of areaGuiding students to become more sophisticated, both in models and in strategies The importance of context for clarity and developing strategyMoving from concrete, to representational, to abstract to deepen understanding, strategy, and independence, NOT to apply an algorithmCheck out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 8, 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, mathematics education

If multiplication facts are so fundamental, why do students who memorize them struggle with multiplicative reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim take a hard look at what students need to succeed multiplicatively. Talking Points What does it mean to 'know' multiplication facts?Using multiplication to solve subtraction problemsMemorizing facts doesn't build complex multiplicative reasoningRedefining the mathematical 'basics'Applications to algebraHow "productive practice" engages students in meaningful activities to build knowledge                                                  Ep.139: Factor to Add and Subract!? Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 1, 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, mathematics education

How can we prepare students to grapple with algebraic concepts? In this episode, Pam and Kim further adapt factor puzzles for developing understanding of both decomposing and combining expressions. Talking Points: Helping students understand algebraic expressionsDifferences in adding and multiplying variablesRelationships between terms in algebraic expressionsThe need for multiplicative reasoning in algebraAdvanced Factor Puzzles for high school Links:                                                         1) Ep.139: Factor to Add and Subract!? 2) Factor Puzzle Blog Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 25, 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, mathematics education

Why is practice sometimes not enough for students to become comfortable multiplying and adding integers? In this episode, Pam and Kim explore more with Factor Puzzles, this time with integers! Talking Points: Gaining experience multiplying and adding with negative integersPurposefulness of keeping certain numbers constant in the factor puzzlesPractical applications of when to do Factor Puzzles Importance of understanding the absolute value of numbersConnection between Factor Puzzles and factoring quadratic trinomialsLink to Blog: https:https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 11, 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, mathematics education

What is a great way for student's to increase their factor fluency and move from additive reasoning to multiplicative reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim play with factor puzzles and describe their many benefits. Talking Points: Kim loves podcast reviews!Factor Puzzles routineGeneralizing patterns to develop algebraic reasoning Building multplicative reasoningFluency with factor pairsTies to factoring quadraticsLink to Blog: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 11, 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, mathematics education

What does the day-to-day of a math is figureoutable classroom look like? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the new book for teachers of Grades 3-5 to transform their teaching.  Talking Points: New book release for Grades 3-5!Development of Mathematical ReasoningAdditive ReasoningMultiplicative ReasoningProblem String walkthroughs and videosRich tasks, routines, models and modelingNext steps for teachers, specific to their needs and experienceShark Metaphor Podcast episode: Ep 245: Three Distortions that Ruin Math Teaching Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 4, 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, mathematics education