Mathematical Problem Solving
Through Strategies and Models
Presenter: Brendan Scribner, Pamela Harris, and Kim Montague
Cost: Free
Location: Remote Webinar
Watch On-Demand
Featuring special guests Pam Harris and Kim Montague.
At the heart of our discussion lies a powerful concept: Math is Figure-out-able™.
Join us as we explore how mathematical strategies and models guide students to ambitious problem solving, the construction of mathematical relationships, and the cultivation of flexibility. Together, we identify ways for educators to leverage the brilliance inherent in our students’ knowledge, supporting the growth of confident mathematicians. Additionally, we explore productive ways for you to utilize problem strings and performance tasks, to foster flexible thinking and empower your mathematicians.
During this edWebinar, we:
- Unpack “math is figure-out-able”
- Experience a problem string, a purposefully designed sequence of related problems that helps students mentally construct numerical relationships and nudges them toward a major, efficient strategy
- Examine student thinking from an Exemplars performance task that intentionally builds upon our problem string Engage with a teacher lens to understand what the students know and are able to do
- Build a next-step teacher action problem string as our learning moves forward
- Discuss the relationship between fact fluency, math relationships, and mathematical understanding
Teachers and school and district leaders of all grade levels are encouraged to view this engaging edWebinar.
About the Presenters
Brendan Scribner, Director of Implementation and Success for Exemplars, began his career in education as a middle school math teacher in Vermont in 1998, before spending the last 20 years as a fourth-grade classroom teacher in Hanover, New Hampshire. He earned his master’s in the science of teaching mathematics from the Vermont Math Initiative. As a passionate classroom educator, he strives to be a mathematical identity builder with a keen focus on learning experiences that cultivate wonder and joy and reveal the beauty of mathematics for all. Brendan supports educators at Exemplars, with a strong commitment to building contextually relevant problem solving into established curricula. An area of particular importance in his work is the power of productive discourse and how “talk moves” within a classroom. When he is not immersed in his work as an educator, he enjoys family time, cycling, hiking, skiing, leisure travel, and crafting unique wood products.
Pam Harris, Founder and CEO of Math is Figure-out-able™, is changing the way we view and teach mathematics. She is a mom, a former high school math teacher, a university lecturer, an author, and a mathematics teacher educator. Real Math is thinking mathematically, not just mimicking what a teacher does. Pam helps leaders and teachers to make the shift that supports students to learn Real Math.
Kim Montague, podcast co-host and content lead at Math is Figure-out-able™, has been a grades 3-5 teacher, instructional coach, workshop presenter, and curriculum developer. She’s a self-proclaimed number junkie, super fan of teachers, and can’t stop talking to kids about what they know. She loves visiting classrooms and believes that when you know your content and know your kids, real learning occurs.
About the Moderator
Jay Meadows serves as Exemplars’ Chief Executive Officer. He is a former middle school math and science teacher and has been working in education for more than two decades. Jay holds a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Vermont and a master’s in mathematical pedagogy from Southern New Hampshire University.
Jay is also one of Exemplars’ primary performance task writers and professional development consultants for the middle level. Leading sessions throughout the United States, Jay works with teachers to integrate performance tasks and research-based best practices into their curricula. Through Exemplars, Jay dreams of teaching a generation of students to become powerful problem solvers. Prior to his career in education, Jay coordinated delegations from the former Soviet Union through U.S. State Department grants. Jay has also worked alongside a number of international non-profits and is a former Peace Corps Volunteer.
