Ep 318: Seeking for Clever Math Strategies

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 29, 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education 

How do you cultivate flexibility in your classroom? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss expectations, perspectives, and techniques that help students develop mathematical flexibility.Talking Points:The subtle messages of "That's not what we are doing right now."Difference between feeling invited vs. feeling commandedCrafting the conversationHonoring students' thinkingResponding to,"Can't I just solve it this way?"Helping students access what they already knowLinks:DMR Registration LinkMath is Figureoutable BlogPam's BooksCheck out Pam's 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 July 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

You already know that we seek for flexibility, efficiency, being clever, and owning a variety of mathematical strategies. But what about grading students based on how many strategies they own to solve a problem? And what does "clever" even mean?  Tune in as Pam and Kim discuss their definitions of "clever" and how we can help students seek for clever math strategies. Talking Points:The meaning of 'clever' and how to encourage it in students.How 'seeking for clever' is a mathematical behavior and mindsetCaution with requiring multiple solutions for a gradeImportance of experience in mentoring kids to represent their thinking Nudging students to reflect on a strategy they want to do 'next time'Links:DMR Registration LinkMath is Figureoutable BlogPam's BooksCheck out Pam's 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 July 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

How can we equip students to tackle problems that do not fit a standard algorithm? In this episode, Pam and Kim experience a Problem String intended to engage fraction reasoning without traditional algorithms.Talking Points:Equivalences Percents and fractionsGenuine reasoning about fractional relationshipsPlaying versus commandingDrawing fraction models just in case versus just in timeLinks:DMR Registration Link Math is Figureoutable Blog Pam's BooksCheck out Pam's 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 July 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: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

We love being with mathematics educators! In this episode Pam and Kim recount their experiences at CAMT 2026.Talking Points:Feeling at home at CAMTExperiencing math at conferencesBullding relationships at conferencesShould a goal be to make math 'easier'?Real world math from real questions from students  Language mattersExplicit vs InquiryDMR Registration Link                                                                                                                    Pam's BooksMath is FigureOutAble BlogCheck out Pam's 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 July 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.Developing Mathematical Reasoning FREE workshopTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

Shout out to our leaders! Let's take a peek at some important conversations Pam and Kim have had over the years, just for you. Talking Points: Ep 65: The power of shared math and teaching experiencesEp 104: What is Math Is Figure-Out-Able?Ep 165: Caution with manipulativesEp 201: Are algorithms bad?DMR Registration Link                                                                                                                    Pam's BooksMath is FigureOutAble BlogCheck out Pam's social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC