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

Register for FREE FRACTION CHALLENGE LIVE EVENT: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/challenge

Math is FigureOutAble Blog: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog

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

Can you use an algorithm to solve every type of problem, or are there some problems for which algorithms leave you stranded? In this episode, Pam and Kim answer that question and share a Problem String to build fractional fluency.

Talking Points:

• Importance of understanding the relationships between different fractions.
• Making sense of equivalent fraction values through experiences rather than memorized procedures.
• Problem Strings provide continual building and strengthening of relationships and skills.
• Problems Strings send the message it is not about one and only one way.

Register for FREE FRACTION CHALLENGE LIVE EVENT: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/challenge

Math is FigureOutAble Blog: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/blog

Check 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 April 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

Looking for useful games and materials for your classroom? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss some of the classroom materials and games they love and what makes them great.

Talking Points:

• Games and resources that do NOT lead towards an algorithm
• The value of games with strategy choice and without time/speed
• Hand2mind Foundations for Strategies
• Number Hive games for differentiation and to practice facts
• Math For Love games
• NumberClub games to build understanding
• Wipebooks for Rich Tasks

Register for FREE FRACTION CHALLENGE LIVE EVENT: https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/challenge

Check 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 April 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 should context and models be used to build strategy? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a sequence of tasks regarding area to demonstrate a better approach for building understanding, abstraction, and strategy as a natural outcome.

Talking Points

• Hand2mind Foundations for Strategies
• Use of manipulatives to feel the meaning of area
• Guiding students to become more sophisticated, both in models and in strategies
• The importance of context for clarity and developing strategy
• Moving from concrete, to representational, to abstract to deepen understanding, strategy, and independence, NOT to apply an algorithm

Check 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 April 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: @PWHarris

Instagram: Pam Harris_math

Facebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics education

If multiplication facts are so fundamental, why do students who memorize them struggle with multiplicative reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim take a hard look at what students need to succeed multiplicatively.

Talking Points

• What does it mean to 'know' multiplication facts?
• Using multiplication to solve subtraction problems
• Memorizing facts doesn't build complex multiplicative reasoning
• Redefining the mathematical 'basics'
• Applications to algebra
• How "productive practice" engages students in meaningful activities to build knowledge

Ep.139: Factor to Add and Subract!?

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