Ep 283: Are Equations Ever the Best Model?

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 17, 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

Who does not love free? We do, and know you do too!In this episode, Pam and Kim kick of the 12 Days of Free, Math is Figureoutable style! Tune in to hear the first 6 FREE opportunities for supporting your math teaching.Talking Points:The Most Important Numeracy Strategies ebook#MathStratChatTryThisTuesday/ThursdayProblem Strings GuideMath if Figure-out-Able Podcast favorite 3 episodesHow to receive our weekly email newsletterInstructional Routines HubCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLCFREE Resources:                                                                                                 Most Important Numeracy Strategies https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/bigProblem Strings Guide https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/problem-stringInstructional Routines Hub https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/instructionalroutinesPodcasts https://podcast.mathisfigureoutable.com/ (Check out episodes #245, #276, #277)

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

Why do we listen to student thinking? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how listening is a powerful tool for both coaching and teaching.Talking Points:Why do we listen?What do we do after listening?Listening in service of moving the student or teacher forwardThe Success Map and Developing Mathematical ReasoningAffirming Learning Walks Distinguishing methods from end goalsMathematical and Community Building purposes for listeningCheck 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 December 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 education

Sometimes a little shift makes all the difference. In this episode, Pam and Kim describe the new mini workshop for introducing secondary teachers to the small shifts in their teaching that can bring reasoning into their classrooms.Talking Points:Cathy Fosnot's 'Young Mathematicians At Work'Introducing new 'mini' workshops on Transforming Teaching 6-12Bridging the gap between K-5 and secondary teachers How these workshops are accessible and affordable for both teachers and leaders.The importance of small shifts and manageable chunks of informationRegister for the workshop that's right for you at: https://mathisfigureoutable.com/mini-hubCheck 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 November 26, 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

As the end of the year gets closer, it's a great time to reflect what and who we are grateful for! In this episode, Pam and Kim pause to give thanks for the wonderful work being done around the world to make math more figureoutable.Talking Points:Grateful for YOU, listeners!Grateful for our amazing teacher Facebook groupGrateful for our Journey and JourneyLeader communitiesGrateful for the Math is FigureOutAble teamGrateful for hard questions Grateful for each otherGrateful for the journey!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 November 19, 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

With so many models, what role do equations play? In this episode, Kim takes Pam through a Problem String that can only be modeled with equations and shares why.Talking Points:Fibonacci DayUtilizing choice is a mathematical behaviorDifferentiating instruction through strategiesSwapping, not a major strategy, but a fun oneModels vs. StrategiesEquations as models for equivalance strategiesCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC