In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on November 5, 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

There's a brand new book for K-2 teachers! In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss how strategies in early mathematics build upon each other and increase in sophistication for future learning. Talking Points: Strategies build on each other, algorithms do notThe importance of building relationships and mental actions in students' brainsGet to Ten grows up to Get to a Friendly NumberAdd Ten grows up to Add a Friendly Number How the Over and Give and Take strategies help students think outsid...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 29, 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

How can we adjust our teaching to meet the needs of our students? In this episode, Pam proposes a series of rapid-fire pedagogical scenarios for Kim to respond to with her best advice. What will Kim say in 90 seconds or less? Talking Points: What to do about a student who only solves addition problems left to right?How to handle a student who always signals to pass during Problem Strings?Ways to encourage students to use strategies learned in Problem Strings when doing independent math work...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 22, 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

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...

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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

What role can technology play in mathematics education? In this episode Pam and Kim explore a Problem String for solving systems of equations using Desmos. Talking Points: Graphing systems of equationsWhere lines intersect with different parent functionsUsing graphing to understand the behavior of a cubic function and moreUsing technology as a tool to understand what's happening, not as a crutch just to get answers.Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Face...

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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

What is the difference between "knowing" and "owning" facts? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to help all students make the most of multiplication facts. Talking Points: How different people respond when asked to "memorize facts""Own the facts" versus "Know the facts" - Do they mean the same thing?Napkin Math Using Problem Strings to teach facts and moreHow reasoning about facts builds important multiplicative relationshipsHow reasoning in Problem Strings supports reasoning...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on October 1, 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out the a...

Facilitating a Problem String is much more than providing a list of problems. In this episode Pam shares the moment to moment decisions she makes when facilitating a "Sticks of Gum" proportional realtionship building Problem String. Talking Points: Setting the stageHow to pull out thinking Using this string to math with teachers in professional developmentReinforcing mathematical behaviorsStrategically determining wait timeUsing potential misunderstandings as learning opportunitie...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 24, 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out th...

Mathematics is everywhere, but if students don't know how to reason they may not want to engage and play with numbers or see all the opportunities to do so. In this episode Pam and Kim discuss scenarios where they play with mathematical concepts in their daily lives. Talking Points Playing with numbers...double, half, factors, multiples, etc.What numbers do they play with? House numbers, license plates, time, prices, interstate signsI Have, You Need with time and distanceWhich is a better de...

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on September 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out th...

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 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 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out th...

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 media Twitter: @PWHar...

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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out the...

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 th...