Avoid the TRAP of Algorithms!

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms illuminates a hierarchy of mathematical reasoning to help teachers guide students through various domains of math development, from basic counting and adding to more complex proportional and functional reasoning.

Recognized with the APEX Grand Prize, the highest honor awarded for publication excellence.

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms illuminates a hierarchy of mathematical reasoning to help students through various domains of math development, from basic counting and adding to more complex proportional and functional reasoning.

"Everyone is capable of understanding and doing real math."

~Pam Harris

"Everyone is capable of understanding and doing real math."

~ Pam Harris

Award-Winning Impact

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms has been honored with the APEX Grand Prize for Publication Excellence.
This prestigious recognition celebrates the book's contribution to educational publishing and its role in helping educators create classrooms where students reason, make connections, and truly understand mathematics.

PETER LILJEDAHL

PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

"Harris helps us understand how math and math teaching have become entangled in a tension between algorithms and reasoning, and then shows us how to untangle this tension through a series of real classroom examples."

CATHERINE FOSNOT

CEO AND PRESIDENT, NEW PERSPECTIVES ON LEARNING

"Harris offers a K-12 continuum of narratives from classrooms and builds strong arguments for why algorithms should not be the focus of instruction if we truly want to produce numerate, mathematically empowered thinkers."

LIESL MCCONCHIE

AUTHOR OF MATH WITH THE BRAIN IN MIND

"Harris walks you through how to help students reason their way to understand math conceptually."

JO BOALER

NOMELLINI & OLIVIER PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

"Are you teaching operations, fractions or functions? If so, Harris has some gorgeous ideas for you - showing us the ways they are all 'figure-out-able' with mathematical reasoning."

EDDIE WOO

PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

"Harris' insights into the challenges of learning mathematics, as well as her joyful explanations of what can be possible when we have the right attitude and mindset, are essential for today's educators to absorb and integrate into their classrooms."

JOHN R. TAPPER

CEO & FOUNDER, ALL LEARNERS NETWORKS

"This is a timely and, ultimately, brave book about mathematics. Harris shines a light on ineffective practices and reminds us that math is so much more than memorized procedures. Her insights may ruffle some feathers about long held beliefs on math instructions. But the invitation to reach more deeply into real mathematics will open many eyes."

PETER LILJEDAHL

PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

"Harris helps us understand how math and math teaching have become entangled in a tension between algorithms and reasoning, and then shows us how to untangle this tension through a series of real classroom examples."

CATHERINE FOSNOT

CEO AND PRESIDENT, NEW PERSPECTIVES ON LEARNING

"Harris offers a K-12 continuum of narratives from classrooms and builds strong arguments for why algorithms should not be the focus of instruction if we truly want to produce numerate, mathematically empowered thinkers."

LIESL MCCONCHIE

AUTHOR OF MATH WITH THE BRAIN IN MIND

"Harris walks you through how to help students reason their way to understand math conceptually."

JO BOALER

NOMELLINI & OLIVIER PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

"Are you teaching operations, fractions or functions? If so, Harris has some gorgeous ideas for you - showing us the ways they are all 'figure-out-able' with mathematical reasoning."

EDDIE WOO

PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

"Harris' insights into the challenges of learning mathematics, as well as her joyful explanations of what can be possible when we have the right attitude and mindset, are essential for today's educators to absorb and integrate into their classrooms."

JOHN R. TAPPER

CEO & FOUNDER, ALL LEARNERS NETWORKS

"This is a timely and, ultimately, brave book about mathematics. Harris shines a light on ineffective practices and reminds us that math is so much more than memorized procedures. Her insights may ruffle some feathers about long held beliefs on math instructions. But the invitation to reach more deeply into real mathematics will open many eyes."

Join The Event!

Preface

Chapter 1: Math is Figure-out-able

Chapter 2: Developing Mathematical Reasoning

Chapter 3: The Trap of Addition and Subtraction Algorithms

Chapter 4: The Trap of Multiplication and Division Algorithms

Chapter 5: The Trap of Fraction- and Proportion-Solving Algorithms

Chapter 6: Lost in Functional Reasoning

Chapter 7: If Not Algorithms, Then What?

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

#MathStratChat - An Example of Problem Talks and Problem Strings

References

Index

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms emphasizes the importance of teaching students increasingly sophisticated mathematical reasoning and understanding underlying concepts rather than relying on a set rule for solving problems.

Pam Harris

Author

Pam Harris, author of Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms, is shifting the way we view and teach mathematics. She is a mom, former high school math teacher, university lecturer, author, and the Founder of Math is Figureoutable.

Math teachers around the world rave about her online Building Powerful Mathematics workshops. For over 20 years, Pam has been helping leaders and teachers reach more students in less time so that students math with confidence and success.

Pam Harris

Author

Avoid the TRAP of Algorithms!

Avoid the TRAP of Algorithms!

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms illuminates a hierarchy of mathematical reasoning to help teachers guide students through various domains of math development, from basic counting and adding to more complex proportional and functional reasoning.

Recognized with the APEX Grand Prize, the highest honor awarded for publication excellence.

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms illuminates a hierarchy of mathematical reasoning to help students through various domains of math development, from basic counting and adding to more complex proportional and functional reasoning.

"Everyone is capable of understanding and doing real math."

"Everyone is capable of understanding and doing real math."

Award-Winning Impact

PETER LILJEDAHL

"Harris helps us understand how math and math teaching have become entangled in a tension between algorithms and reasoning, and then shows us how to untangle this tension through a series of real classroom examples."

CATHERINE FOSNOT

"Harris offers a K-12 continuum of narratives from classrooms and builds strong arguments for why algorithms should not be the focus of instruction if we truly want to produce numerate, mathematically empowered thinkers."

LIESL MCCONCHIE

"Harris walks you through how to help students reason their way to understand math conceptually."

JO BOALER

"Are you teaching operations, fractions or functions? If so, Harris has some gorgeous ideas for you - showing us the ways they are all 'figure-out-able' with mathematical reasoning."

EDDIE WOO

"Harris' insights into the challenges of learning mathematics, as well as her joyful explanations of what can be possible when we have the right attitude and mindset, are essential for today's educators to absorb and integrate into their classrooms."

JOHN R. TAPPER

PETER LILJEDAHL

"Harris helps us understand how math and math teaching have become entangled in a tension between algorithms and reasoning, and then shows us how to untangle this tension through a series of real classroom examples."

CATHERINE FOSNOT

"Harris offers a K-12 continuum of narratives from classrooms and builds strong arguments for why algorithms should not be the focus of instruction if we truly want to produce numerate, mathematically empowered thinkers."

LIESL MCCONCHIE

"Harris walks you through how to help students reason their way to understand math conceptually."

JO BOALER

"Are you teaching operations, fractions or functions? If so, Harris has some gorgeous ideas for you - showing us the ways they are all 'figure-out-able' with mathematical reasoning."

EDDIE WOO

"Harris' insights into the challenges of learning mathematics, as well as her joyful explanations of what can be possible when we have the right attitude and mindset, are essential for today's educators to absorb and integrate into their classrooms."

JOHN R. TAPPER

Table of Contents

Pam Harris

Author

Pam Harris

Author

FAQs

Is this book available outside of the US?

How do I make a bulk purchase?

Can I pay for a purchase with a P.O.?

If I buy a book, how long will it take to arrive?

Join

The Book Launch

Webinar!