What if students actually understood using common factors to simplify complex division expressions? In this episode Pam and Kim divide exponents without reciting a rule.
Talking Points:

• Thinking versus reasoning
• Problem String Dividing Exponents
• "Canceling" vs "Dividing out to equal 1"
• Focus on left over factors vs mimicking a rule
• Why start with smaller bases?

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In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 11, 2024.

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

Ok, but when variables and exponents start mixing, we need to memorize the rules, right? In this episode Pam and Kim develop exponential relationships, not rules.
Talking Points:

• Kim's Notes
• Generalizing multiplication of exponents

In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on December 4, 2024.

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

Would you believe I'm more comfortable dealing with exponents because I haven't memorized the rules? In this episode Pam and Kim continue building exponentiation with a great problem string
Talking Points:

• Problem string to help build exponentiation
• When and how to introduce vocabulary
• Teacher move: Choosing who shares, and in what order
• More confident reasoning without the rules
• Teacher Move: Generalizing

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 November 27, 2024.

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

Can we prepare students for really hairy exponent problems without resorting to memorized rules? In this first episode of a series, Pam and Kim share a task that could get kids and teachers thinking more and more multiplicatively and understandably about exponents.
Talking Points:

• Can a task have too many layers for students to be successful?
• Can we sequence a task that works for 3rd grade to Algebra?
• Problem String to connect prime factorization to exponents.

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 November 20, 2024.

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