Math is Figure-Out-Able!

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on August 12, 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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education 

Is improving math education as simple as telling teachers and students what actions to take to achieve the desired results? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the Results Pyramid and how experiences are what builds beliefs, which inform the actions that ultimately determine our results.

Talking Points:

• Why the Results Pyramid is a model for lasting change
• The importance of experiences to shift beliefs
• The ineffectiveness of just telling people what actions to take
• Changing beliefs requires well thought out experiences
• The quality of the experience matters 

Links:

1. FREE DMR Registration Link
2. Math is Figureoutable Blog
3. Pam's Books

Check out Pam's social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education 

Rich Tasks are a powerful lesson structure and can be challenging to implement effectively. In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss the preparation and approach needed to facilitate a successful Rich Task.

Talking points:

• Know your content, know your students
• Importance of knowing who engages or shuts down, students' prior math experiences, who seeks extra challenge, and what's going on in their lives.
• Need to set expectations
• Understanding the vertical and the horizontal math progressions
• Shifting your goals in real time 
• Try Problem Strings first

Links:

1. FREE DMR Registration Link
2. Math is Figureoutable Blog
3. Pam's Books

Check out Pam's social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: 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 commanded
• Crafting the conversation
• Honoring students' thinking
• Responding to,"Can't I just solve it this way?"
• Helping students access what they already know

Links:

1. FREE DMR Registration Link
2. Math is Figureoutable Blog
3. Pam's Books

Check out Pam's social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: 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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: 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 mindset
• Caution with requiring multiple solutions for a grade
• Importance of experience in mentoring kids to represent their thinking 
• Nudging students to reflect on a strategy they want to do 'next time'

Links:

1. DMR Registration Link
2. Math is Figureoutable Blog
3. Pam's Books

Check out Pam's social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: 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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: 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 fractions
• Genuine reasoning about fractional relationships
• Playing versus commanding
• Drawing fraction models just in case versus just in time

Links:

1. DMR Registration Link 
2. Math is Figureoutable Blog 
3. Pam's Books

Check out Pam's social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC