In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on July 2, 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 archive of all of o...
Jul 03, 2025•4 min
How does a Problem String look in front of real students? In this episode Pam and Kim give a play by play for how a Problem String could be facilitated. Talking Points: When to circulate and when to ask for choral response Helping students communicate thinking How and when to engage students in conversations When to anchor strategies When to be intentionally curious to solidify thinking Check out our grade level Problem String books! Grade 1 Problem Strings: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/n...
Jul 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 263
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 25, 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 archive of all of ...
Jun 26, 2025•4 min
What if finding equivalence between fractions, decimals, and precents wasn't just a task for students to do, but a tool making them more efficient in rational number computations? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about code switching with rational numbers to make complex problems more figure-out-able. Talking Points: What is code switching in rational numbers? A Problem String using equivalence to think about multiplication Tasks that use equivalency to solve problems rather than just practicing...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 262
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 18, 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 archive of all of ...
Jun 19, 2025•5 min
Five years of important conversations, lots of laughs and a blooper every once in a while. In this episode Pam and Kim revisit some important moments of the podcast from the last 5 years. Talking Points: Clips from the past 5 years! Types of questioning Student compliance Problem Strings vs Problem Talks Math distortions Wait time and Private signals Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris C...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Ep. 261
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 11, 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 archive of all of ...
Jun 12, 2025•3 min
How can you get the most out of I Have, You Need in your classroom? In this podcast Pam and Kim answer some common questions and dig deeper into one of their favorite routines, I Have You Need. Talking Points: Do cars speak the language of fractions? I Have, You Need (See also Ep 7 and 164) Why it is helpful to know partners of 1, 10, 100, 1000, etc. Common misconceptions Why it is important for the teacher to call the numbers Is it about creativity or efficiency? Discussing strategy is a big pa...
Jun 10, 2025•30 min•Ep. 245
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 4, 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 archive of all of o...
Jun 05, 2025•4 min
We've got a lot to say about screeners! In this episode Pam and Kim dig a bit more into why we screen and what we do with the results. Talking Points: Are screeners useful for diagnosing and grouping students? Are assessments important? What would be a helpful way to spend the first few weeks of school with students? What to do with required screeners Some recommended screeners Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educ...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min•Ep. 259
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 28, 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 archive of all of o...
May 29, 2025•4 min
Are Universal Screeners worth the time and effort? What do we gain? In this episode Pam and Kim begin their discussion about using Universal Screeners and raise some wonders for consideration. Talking Points: Defining screeners Limitations of screeners What we screen reveals what we value Screeners don't always reflect the content in the classroom Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Linkedin: Pam Harris Cons...
May 27, 2025•28 min•Ep. 258
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 21, 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 archive of all of o...
May 22, 2025•4 min
Do Problem Strings and Thin Slicing achieve the same results? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss the differences between Problem Strings and Dr. Liljedahl's Thin Slicing. Talking Points: Different purposes, different facilitation The importance of recording student thinking When non-permanent surfaces can be helpful Problem Strings are strategically planned sequences and not always 'easy to more complex' Differences in the teacher's role, questioning, math relationships Word problems are natura...
May 20, 2025•29 min
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 14, 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 archive of all of o...
May 15, 2025•4 min
Are Problem Strings the same thing as Thin Slicing? In this episode Pam and Kim talk about the similarities between Problem Strings and Dr. Peter Liljedahl's Thin Slicing. Talking Points: Example Problem String: Calling on students strategically in a Problem String Strategic seating arrangements for partner talk Similarities between Problem Strings and Thin Slicing: Purposefully designed sequence of related problems Problems given one at a time Increasing challenge Critical teacher planning Open...
May 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 256
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 7, 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 archive of all of ou...
May 08, 2025•4 min
You facilitated a Problem String! ... Now what? In this episode Pam and Kim share they think about after facilitating a Problem String and what their next steps for their classroom might be. Talking Points: Ways to up the ante Echo strings How much to change at once Next Step strings When to move on When to anchor Get Problem String books here: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/books Check out our social media Twitter: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathemat...
May 06, 2025•24 min•Ep. 255
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 30, 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 archive of all of...
May 01, 2025•4 min
You've chosen a Problem String to teach, but does it need any preparation? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how they prepare to facilitate a Problem String. Talking Points: Is it ok to adjust a pre-written Problem String? What should you include in your 'Kim's Notes'? What will your final board layout look like? Naming specific teacher moves Practice using models ahead of time Are pre-created models ok? Where can you find pre-written strings complete with facilitation notes and final display?...
Apr 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 254
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 23, 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 archive of all of...
Apr 24, 2025•4 min
Which Problem Strings are appropriate for your students? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss what they consider when choosing a Problem String for a classroom. Talking Points: A fraction addition example string Things to consider when choosing a Problem String: Prewritten vs write your own Time of year Strategies students already own Building a model vs building a strategy Order of sophistication of strategies Building a model vs strategy New content versus review/reteach See episodes 33, 71, 72...
Apr 22, 2025•31 min•Ep. 253
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 16, 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 archive of all of...
Apr 17, 2025•5 min
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit multiplication and division strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit multiplication and division: Scaling, Over and Adjust, Partial Products, Factoring Talking Points: Benefits of using diverse task types Sample of three "messy" tasks to develop: Ratio tables Area model 2 different kinds of division Relationship between multiplication and divis...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min•Ep. 252
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 9, 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 archive of all of ...
Apr 10, 2025•4 min
What kinds of tasks help students build multi-digit addition and subtraction strategies? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for multi-digit addition and subtraction: Friendly numbers, place value, adjusting, the commutative property, decomposing Talking Points: Sequencing tasks is more than just moving from one page to the next in the teacher guide Sample of three "messy" tasks to: develop number lines make connectio...
Apr 08, 2025•33 min•Ep. 251
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 2, 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 archive of all of ...
Apr 03, 2025•4 min
Math class is richer and more fun when the goal is more than answer-getting! In this episode Pam and Kim discuss how to sequence tasks to develop the foundational strategies and relationships for single digit multiplication and division: doubling, making use of ten, and partial products/quotients. Talking Points: Three sample sequence of tasks that use: A product approach Student exploration of patterns Just in time vocabulary Differentiation Foundations of multiplicative reasoning, area, geomet...
Apr 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 250
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on March 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: @PWHarris Instagram: Pam Harris_math Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education Want more? Check out the archive of all of...
Mar 27, 2025•5 min
What should the bulk of math class look like? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss sequencing tasks to build foundational relationships that develop into major strategies. Talking Points Major relationships that build the major strategies Problem Strings are one kind of task Foundational Relationships for young learners Rich tasks that get kids messing with relationships What does practice look like? (See Episode 38 for more information on Hint Cards) Check out pre planned sequence of tasks in th...
Mar 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 249
