Ep 273: Conceptual Understanding... Then Algorithms

Have students that struggle with word problems? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the best way to help students succeed when faced with a word problem.Talking points:Why mimicking makes word problems harderReasoners develop greater staminaDeveloping the feel of actions of the operationsCheck 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 September 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

Is the goal of math class all about getting answers? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how their work differs from those who promote traditional math classrooms and even some conceptual inquiry based classrooms.Talking Points:Teaching algorithms as the goal is detrimentalWhat is the goal?Teachers need their own math learning experiencesWe want students to own relationships to develop strategies that they will use in math class and throughout lifeCheck 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 September 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

How does the definition of fluency change when your goal for math class changes? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss in some areas of mathematics they aim for fluency and how students use those relationships to build from.Talking Points:BuzzwordsWhat are our goals?Does automaticity need to be drilled or can it develop naturally?Strategies are synergistic Fluency with decomposing numbersFunctional fluencyFluency with prime and square numbersFluency in mathematical behaviorsCheck out these episodes to learn more about "working with multiplication facts".Ep 97: If Not the Multiplication Algorithm, Then What?Ep 34 - 38: Multiplication: The Good, The Bad, And the UglyCheck 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 August 27, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

How can we bridge from proportional reasoning to functional reasoning? In this episode Pam and Kim talk through a Problem String that moves students from proportional reasoning into linear functions.Talking Points:Building Proportions Problem StringThinking about "between" and "within" relationships in a ratio tableSlope, rate of change, similar triangles, equivalence: all figure-out-ableRatios and proportional reasoning to functional reasoningSlope is a ratioCheck 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 August 20, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!

How do mathy people approach mathematics? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss different mathematical behaviors and the value of engendering them in students.Talking Points:Reflecting about what else you could have done that might be more sophisticatedSeeking the "ooh" factor or the "aha" momentCompare strategies and make connectionsMaking choices based on numbers or the structureSeeking efficiency and making generalizationsStart with "What do I know?"Seek understanding and asking for moreThe importance of acknowledging mathematical behaviorsCheck 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 August 13, 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 educationWant more? Check out the archive of all of our #MathStratChat posts!