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 our #MathStratChat posts!

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 natural extensions of Problem Strings
• Problem Strings and Thin Slicing: Some similarities, but not the same.

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 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 our #MathStratChat posts!

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 access for all students
  • Purposeful variation to keep students challenged

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 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 our #MathStratChat posts!

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, mathematics education
Linkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC

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 our #MathStratChat posts!

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? https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/big

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