NCSM/NCTM Reflections: What We Are Thinking About!

Pam and Kim went to NCSM and NCTM in Atlanta!  In this episode, they share some of their favorite moments, biggest take-aways, and new insights gleaned from the sessions they attended and the people they met.Talking Points: Discussing the meaning of "algorithm" with Sarah Bush and Karen Karp, authors of The Math Pact Importance of talk moves and listening moves, with Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz, authors of Intentional Talk And Listening The joy of celebrating someone else's learning from Vanessa VakhariaHow the Science of Reading does not correlate or correspond with what the people who call themselves the Science of Math are suggestingThe importance of Affirming Learning WalksClarifying the meaning of the word "procedural", as in "procedural fluency"The misleading nature of much of the math research currently being approved by What Works ClearinghouseShout-out to James Tanton for being intellectually curious!Check out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 15, 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 8, 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

It's time for you to learn about the most important relationship your students need to know to automatize their addition facts: partners of ten. Partners of ten influence strategies for adding bigger numbers as well as strategies for other operations. In this episode Pam and Kim will discuss some of those influences and some games and routines specifically made to provide experience and build partner of ten relationships for all levels and all ages.Talking Points:What are partners of ten?Do older students need partners of ten?Rich Tasks with 10Collect TenI Have, You NeedEstablish partners of ten early in the school yearWorkshop registration is open until Feb 4!Links:bit.ly/partnersoftensgamesmathisfigureoutable.com/youneedmathisfigureoutable.com/workshops

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:Do you need time, or do you need help? (see episode 40)Once kids have an answer, do we force them to find another way?For which denominators is thinking about money helpful?Ways to think about 2 2/5 minus 9/20The reciprocal relationships between fractions and coins can be confusingFractional equivalence is the goal by asking students to add and subtract fractions

Last episode Pam and Kim discussed how not to teach multiplication facts. So how should we teach them? This episode we look at multiplication facts through the lens of mathematizing using Problem Strings!Talking Points:The order that we teach math content matters to give students the best experience with multiplication throughout the yearThe sequence we teach the multiplication facts mattersExample Problem Strings to build multiplicative relationshipsThe key relationships students need to own in order to recall multiplication facts that they don't rememberHow parents can help their kids own their factsSee episodes 55-56 on helping parents understand your math classroom.Free Problem String Download: mathisfigureoutable.com/factsps