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
485 episodes
#MathStratChat - April 1, 2026
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...
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4:16
Ep 302: Factor Puzzles 3: Expressions
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:Help...
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Episode 302
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20:35
#MathStratChat - March 25, 2026
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 yo...
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4:49
Ep 301: Factor Puzzles 2: Integers
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 experienc...
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22:02
#MathStratChat - March 18, 2026
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 yo...
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5:10
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Ep 300: Factor Puzzles 1: Whole Numbers
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:<...
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Episode 300
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24:50
#MathStratChat - March 11, 2026
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 yo...
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5:24
Ep 299: Developing Mathematical Reasoning: The Strategies, Models, and Lessons to Teach the Big Ideas in 3-5
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 Grad...
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Episode 299
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25:53
#MathStratChat - March 4, 2026
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...
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3:22
Ep 298: Who Gets to Math? One thing that Opens or Closes the Gate
Using strategies to solve problems sounds good, but what if my students don't know the basics? In this episode, Pam and Kim dispel the myth that "the basics" needed for mimicking algorithms are the same as the fundamentals for math-ing....
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Episode 298
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25:39
#MathStratChat - February 25, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 25, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
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3:32
Ep 297: What Makes Good Shifts in a School's Math Teaching?
What does it take to make real change in a school's math program? In this episode, Pam and Kim share what does and doesn't work to make lasting, systemic change in mathematics teaching for schools and school districts.Talking Points:
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Episode 297
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23:34
#MathStratChat - February 18, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 18, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
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3:23
Ep 296: Live at NCTM Spring
It's great to learn from other educators. In this episode, Pam and Kim relay their experience at NCTM Spring 2026, giving their unique perspective of modern teaching trends.Talking Points:The need to define the terms curricu...
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Episode 296
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22:13
#MathStratChat - February 11, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 11, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before...
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4:27
Ep 295: Differentiating Problem Strings for your Grade Level: Over Subtraction
How can you tweak a Problem String to work perfectly for your class? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a subtraction Problem String, and then unpack what changes they'd make for different audiences.Talking Points:A subtract...
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Episode 295
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23:13
#MathStratChat - February 4, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on February 4, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
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5:06
Ep 294: Introducing Logarithms
Introducing new math concepts can be tricky. In this episode, Pam and Kim do a Problem String to introduce logarithms in a natural, figureoutable way.Talking PointsProblem String to introduce students to logarithmsD...
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Episode 294
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21:54
#MathStratChat - January 28, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 28, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
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4:36
Ep 293: What Makes a Good Number Talk?
Are your Number Talks purposeful? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the when, how, and why of Number Talks, which they call Problem Talks.Talking Points:Problem Talk vs. Problem StringWhen and why to use a Proble...
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Episode 293
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33:41
#MathStratChat - January 21, 2026
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on January 21, 2026. Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before ...
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3:45
Ep 292: Playing With Division and Fractions
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 divisionThe parti...
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Episode 292
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23:19
#MathStratChat - January 14, 2026
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 ...
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5:45
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