Building Powerful Division
Online Workshop
Building Powerful Division Workshop
3-12 Teachers, are you ready to. . .
âś” finally understand division?
âś” give your students confidence?
âś” nix rote-memorized procedures?
Ready to conquer division?
We got you.
This workshop is everything you need. 7 modules, 7 weeks, a powerful transformation to make a REAL impact for your students. $347
"If you have even one student in your class that struggles with math, then take a Pam Harris workshop."
-Christopher Peterson, West High School, CA
From Participants of the Live Workshop
What will I learn from this workshop?
Should I attend this workshop?
Wendy says it will change your thinking! It will give you a clear picture of what multiplication and division are and ways you can help your students reason and make sense of their thinking.
Will this help my students?
Sandra says, “Oh yes, TAKE THE WORKSHOP!”
Will this workshop apply direclty to my classroom?
She thinks this workshop will teach you multiple strategies so that you can find what works best for each of your students and celebrate their success and thinking!
Erica thinks it is so relevant to her teaching and what she does with students every single day. She is especially excited about how it connects all of the standards and connects them so that she can reach all students at all times!
From Participants of the Live Workshop
What will I learn from this workshop?
Wendy says it will change your thinking! It will give you a clear picture of what multiplication and division are and ways you can help your students reason and make sense of their thinking.
Will this help my students?
She thinks this workshop will teach you multiple strategies so that you can find what works best for each of your students and celebrate their success and thinking!
Should I attend this workshop?
Sandra says, “Oh yes, TAKE THE WORKSHOP!”Â
Â
Will this workshop apply direclty to my classroom?
Erica thinks it is so relevant to her teaching and what she does with students every single day. She is especially excited about how it connects all of the standards and connects them so that she can reach all students at all times!
A 7-week deep dive into division
Learn:
- the top 5 division strategies and how to develop them
- the most important division models, the order to use, and their purposes
- how to develop multiplicative reasoning, for powerful division in all grade bands
Runs February 18, 2025 - June 9, 2025. That is 7 weeks of content with 9 additional weeks access. All for $347!
A 7-week deep dive into division
Â
 Learn:
-
the top 5 division strategies and how to develop them
-
the most important division models, the order to use, and their purposes
-
how to develop multiplicative reasoning, for powerful division in all grade bands
Runs February 18, 2025 - June 9, 2025. That is 7 weeks of content  with 9 additional weeks access. All for $347!
What Will I Learn?
- What "Math is Figure-Out-Able" means, what is real math, and what it means to mathematize
- What it means to be a mentor to young mathematicians
- Why it is important to develop reasoning, not just get answers
- An important subtraction relationship and strategy (subtraction is so important in division)
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
This is the why, the background, the setting that sets the stage for the rest of the workshop, so that you can implement lessons and strategies knowing how it all fits together.
___________________________________________________
Module 2: Building the Important Models of Division
What Will I Learn?
- How to help students connect multiplication to division
- A spatial model for building the connection of multiplication to division
- A model for recording thinking
- Problem Strings to build each model with students
- What visual models have to do with access and moving all students forward
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Students need to develop the major models for multiplication and division as visual representations of numerical and spatial relationships. Students also need to transition to use those models as tools for thinking. Teachers need to know the progression of models, which ones to use with each string and in what order, and how to model-represent student thinking.
___________________________________________________
Module 3: Division Strategies
What Will I Learn?
- Each of the five major, important division strategies
- How to use Problem Strings to develop each of the major strategies
- When and how to build the properties on which the strategies are based
- How to represent student thinking on open arrays and ratio tables
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
You can solve any problem, that's reasonable to solve without a calculator, by using one of the five major, important strategies. It's not about a huge, undefinable set of strategies. Rather, it's about building relationships in students' heads so that these strategies become natural inclinations. Students look at the problem and let the numbers dictate the strategy based on the inherent relationships.
___________________________________________________
Module 4: Two Interpretations of Division
What Will I Learn?
- The two interpretations of division and why teachers need to know them but students don’t
- How context and decontextualizing contribute to sense making and flexibility
- How models and strategies work together and how they differ
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Different division problems represent the two interpretations of division. Students need external guidance to develop both interpretations and realize that both can be solved with division.
Teachers need to know both interpretations and how to support students to develop both as multiplicative situations that can be solved with division.
___________________________________________________
Module 5: Top 3 Types of Tasks for Student Success
What Will I Learn?
- What Rich Tasks are and how they can be used to develop big ideas
- Problem Strings to introduce and solidify strategies, models, and big ideas
- How Problem Strings and Problem Talks work together and how they differ
- How to use Problem Talks to compare strategies and for assessment
- How to sequence lessons to maximize learning
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
This is the how-to-do-it module. We study different types of instructional tasks and routines, discerning their role in constructing mathematical ideas in learners’ brains. Our goal is to always be moving the math and the mathematician forward. Understanding how to use and leverage different instructional tasks allows you to ensure success for all your students all of the time.
___________________________________________________
Module 6: Expert Teacher Moves that Help You Help Your Students
What Will I Learn?
- High leverage teacher moves to encourage student sense making
- Teacher moves that support equity and access
- Teacher moves to differentiate — to support and challenge all learners
- How to support meaningful discourse to facilitate learning
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Teaching in a way that allows all students to learn and grow is not a trivial task. There are purposeful moves teachers can make that promote class discussion and mathematical dialogue, position all students as sense makers, and build a culture of curiosity and empowerment.
In this module, you’ll learn the high level teacher moves that make the learning happen like a pro.
___________________________________________________
Module 7: Developing Division in Younger Learners and Extending Division in Higher Math (optional)
What Will I Learn?
- How to help beginners reason about the relationship between multiplication and division
- Games that support division and are easily differentiated
- How to help students think and reason through decimal division
- How to help students think and reason through polynomial division without using an algorithm
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
No matter what grade you teach, this module has something for you. Mastering the multiplication facts does not automatically lead to mastery of division facts. This module shows you how to help students make that necessary connection between multiplication and division.
Also, when teachers of higher math learn about division without algorithms, it impacts what they teach. Learn some higher math division strategies for rational expressions and polynomial division grounded in thinking and reasoning.
___________________________________________________
Live Q&A Sessions With Pam
During the workshop you will have the opportunity to submit questions to Pam for her to answer during two live Q&A sessions. The sessions will be recorded and you will have access to them.
What Will I Learn?
- What "Math is Figure-Out-Able" means, what is real math, and what it means to mathematize
- What it means to be a mentor to young mathematicians
- Why it is important to develop reasoning, not just get answers
- An important subtraction relationship and strategy (subtraction is so important in division)
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
This is the why, the background, the setting that sets the stage for the rest of the workshop, so that you can implement lessons and strategies knowing how it all fits together.
_____________________
Module 2: Building the Important Models of Division
What Will I Learn?
- How to help students connect multiplication to division
- A spatial model for building the connection of multiplication to division
- A model for recording thinking
- Problem Strings to build each model with students
- What visual models have to do with access and moving all students forward
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Students need to develop the major models for multiplication and division as visual representations of numerical and spatial relationships. Students also need to transition to use those models as tools for thinking. Teachers need to know the progression of models, which ones to use with each string and in what order, and how to model-represent student thinking.
_____________________
Module 3: Division Strategies
What Will I Learn?
- Each of the five major, important division strategies
- How to use Problem Strings to develop each of the major strategies
- When and how to build the properties on which the strategies are based
- How to represent student thinking on open arrays and ratio tables
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
You can solve any problem, that's reasonable to solve without a calculator, by using one of the five major, important strategies. It's not about a huge, undefinable set of strategies. Rather, it's about building relationships in students' heads so that these strategies become natural inclinations. Students look at the problem and let the numbers dictate the strategy based on the inherent relationships.
_____________________
Module 4: Two Interpretations of Division
What Will I Learn?
- The two interpretations of division and why teachers need to know them but students don’t
- How context and decontextualizing contribute to sense making and flexibility
- How models and strategies work together and how they differ
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Different division problems represent the two interpretations of division. Students need external guidance to develop both interpretations and realize that both can be solved with division.
Teachers need to know both interpretations and how to support students to develop both as multiplicative situations that can be solved with division.
_____________________
Module 5: Top 3 Types of Tasks for Student Success
What Will I Learn?
- What Rich Tasks are and how they can be used to develop big ideas
- Problem Strings to introduce and solidify strategies, models, and big ideas
- How Problem Strings and Problem Talks work together and how they differ
- How to use Problem Talks to compare strategies and for assessment
- How to sequence lessons to maximize learning
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
This is the how-to-do-it module. We study different types of instructional tasks and routines, discerning their role in constructing mathematical ideas in learners’ brains. Our goal is to always be moving the math and the mathematician forward. Understanding how to use and leverage different instructional tasks allows you to ensure success for all your students all of the time.
_____________________
Module 6: Expert Teacher Moves that Help You Help Your Students
What Will I Learn?
- High leverage teacher moves to encourage student sense making
- Teacher moves that support equity and access
- Teacher moves to differentiate — to support and challenge all learners
- How to support meaningful discourse to facilitate learning
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
Teaching in a way that allows all students to learn and grow is not a trivial task. There are purposeful moves teachers can make that promote class discussion and mathematical dialogue, position all students as sense makers, and build a culture of curiosity and empowerment.
In this module, you’ll learn the high level teacher moves that make the learning happen like a pro.
_____________________
Module 7: Developing Division in Younger Learners and Extending Division in Higher Math (optional)
What Will I Learn?
- How to help beginners reason about the relationship between multiplication and division
- Games that support division and are easily differentiated
- How to help students think and reason through decimal division
- How to help students think and reason through polynomial division without using an algorithm
- Steps to take action in your classroom
Why Is This Important?
No matter what grade you teach, this module has something for you. Mastering the multiplication facts does not automatically lead to mastery of division facts. This module shows you how to help students make that necessary connection between multiplication and division.
Also, when teachers of higher math learn about division without algorithms, it impacts what they teach. Learn some higher math division strategies for rational expressions and polynomial division grounded in thinking and reasoning.
_____________________
Live Q&A Sessions With Pam
During the workshop you will have the opportunity to submit questions to Pam for her to answer during two live Q&A sessions. The sessions will be recorded and you will have access to them.
Registration opens January 29, 2025
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Workshop starts February 18, 2025
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What Participants Have to Say
I loved it! It almost made me sad for summer break because I'm so ready to get started! I'm leaving with a toolbox of strategies that I can pull from.
Amanda Perez - 4th grade teacher
My experience was AMAZING! I would tell not just a friend but anyone who teaches math to take this workshop! I learned to allow students to actually think! Honestly I will be using all of the things we learned! I love the idea of using spare minutes!!
Jennifer Harrison - 3rd grade teacher
Loved everything about this workshop. Definitely take this workshop, you will not regret it! This will help me be a better math teacher to teach the kids to be thinkers!
Christina Ramirez - 4th grade teacher
This workshop blew my mind! I loved accessing knowledge in my brain and I can't wait to help my kids access this knowledge too!
Wendy Reeves - 5th grade teacher
What Participants Have to Say
I loved it! It almost made me sad for summer break because I'm so ready to get started! I'm leaving with a toolbox of strategies that I can pull from.
Amanda Perez - 4th grade teacher
My experience was AMAZING! I would tell not just a friend but anyone who teaches math to take this workshop! I learned to allow students to actually think! Honestly I will be using all of the things we learned! I love the idea of using spare minutes!!
Jennifer Harrison - 3rd grade teacher
Loved everything about this workshop. Definitely take this workshop, you will not regret it! This will help me be a better math teacher to teach the kids to be thinkers!
Christina Ramirez - 4th grade teacher
This workshop blew my mind! I loved accessing knowledge in my brain and I can't wait to help my kids access this knowledge too!
Wendy Reeves - 5th grade teacher
I’m Pam Harris and I empower teachers to be the teacher they want to be.
______________________________________________________
I have been working with educators for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, university instructor, and teacher trainer as well as writing books and creating resources for teachers.
As a beginner teacher, I worked hard to make lessons understandable and interesting but I didn’t realize how much I relied on rote memorization and repeating procedures until I immersed myself in math research. This fundamentally changed the way I do and teach mathematics so that teachers and students reason mathematically, not mimic like robots.
I’m Pam Harris and I empower teachers to be the teacher they want to be.
  ____________________________
I have been working with educators for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, university instructor, and teacher trainer as well as writing books and creating resources for teachers.
As a beginner teacher, I worked hard to make lessons understandable and interesting but I didn’t realize how much I relied on rote memorization and repeating procedures until I immersed myself in math research. This fundamentally changed the way I do and teach mathematics so that teachers and students reason mathematically, not mimic like robots.
Get on the Waitlist so you don't miss out!
If you've heard enough and you're ready to dive in, then click below and we'll keep you updated on when registration opens!
The workshop costs $347, which is less than the registration cost for many large conferences and also way more convenient.
Get on the Waitlist so you don't miss out!
If you've heard enough and you're ready to dive in, then click below and we'll keep you updated on when registration opens!
The workshop costs $347, which is less than the registration cost for many large conferences and also way more convenient.
How Does The Workshop Compare?
Learn more about how to earn credits through University of Massachusetts Global.
I can't say enough about the value of this workshop! It has help me grow as a mathematician so I can help my students see themselves as mathematicians. Teaching math so kids know it is figure out able and that they can think and reason and grow is fun and rewarding! I can't wait to get better at implementing all that I have learned about the instructional routines and the great teacher moves! I love all the resources available to me through JourneyPlus! Thank you!"
-Lisa Hogenmiller, BPD workshop participant and JourneyPLUS member
I can't say enough about the value of this workshop! It has help me grow as a mathematician so I can help my students see themselves as mathematicians. Teaching math so kids know it is figure out able and that they can think and reason and grow is fun and rewarding! I can't wait to get better at implementing all that I have learned about the instructional routines and the great teacher moves! I love all the resources available to me through JourneyPlus! Thank you!"
-Lisa Hogenmiller, BPD workshop participant and JourneyPLUS member
Take the Workshop on Any Device
My Guarantees
âś” If you complete my workshop and do not learn anything that you can use in your classroom, email me at [email protected] within 10 business days of the workshop ending and I will give you a full refund.
âś” You will feel very supported because there are live Q&A sessions to ask questions, bonus videos and materials, as well as optional activities.
âś” I estimate an average of 2 hours of work each week for this seven-week workshop. You will have access to the workshop content for 16 weeks.
 My Guarantees
✔ If you complete my workshop and do not learn anything that you can use in your classroom, email me at pam@mathisfigure outable.com within 10 business days of the workshop ending and I will give you a full refund.
✔ You will feel very supported because there are live Q&A sessions to ask questions, bonus videos and materials, as well as optional activities.
✔ I estimate an average of 2 hours of work each week for this seven-week workshop. You will have access to the workshop content for 16 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does it compare to a math conference?
Math conferences can be hit or miss, depending on the presenters you see. In the best case scenario, you see many great presenters, but when you only spend 60 to 90 minutes with them, you rarely leave with enough experience to comfortably implement what you learned. In the worst case scenario, you see many mediocre presenters with disconnected topics and it can feel like a big waste of time.
In contrast, my workshop is an extended experience that is cohesive and coherent with specific topics. This workshop focuses on division. In the course we will therefore explore lesson types, models, and high-leverage teacher moves that will help students leverage their reasoning to construct division strategies.
How does your workshop compare to an online university professional development course?
Because this workshop is offered online with 7 weeks of content available for 16 weeks, you have lots of flexibility in where and when to work on it.
There are both big picture ideas to chew on and lots of activities you can implement right away in your math class.
What are the start and end dates of this workshop?
Registration opens Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM CDT and ends Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM CDT.
The workshop begins on February 18, 2025 and ends on June 9, 2025. That includes 7 weeks of content with 9 additional weeks access.
Which grade levels are this workshop intended for?
This workshop is for anyone who teaches division, what leads into it, and what comes after. That said, it is directly for 4th through 12th grade teachers, although 3rd grade teachers would find it useful as well.
Anyone who works as a leader, instructional coach, PD facilitator, or trainer will also find this workshop useful.
What technical requirements are there?
This is an online workshop, so you need to have an Internet-connected device and feel comfortable browsing websites. Most devices including computers, tablets (such as iPads), and phones should have no problem using the site.
You will need to have the ability to watch videos—some school districts block websites that play videos. If you can see the video at the top of this page, you're probably going to be fine.
Please ensure that emails from [email protected] are being received and not going to your SPAM folder.
If none of those options allow you to receive emails from [email protected], then please email [email protected] and we will work to resolve the issue.
Is there a flyer I can download and print?
Yes. Download the flyer here and feel free to share it with others.
Is there a flyer I can download and print?
Yes. Download the flyer here and feel free to share it with others.
Registering for the workshop
What if I can't get approval to register before the registration deadline?
For starters, start asking them now! If you start now, you might be able to get your approval before the next registration period which starts Friday, January 29 at 7:00 AM CST. Here is an executive summary that you can present to them.Â
If you're still waiting for approval after the two-week registration window then email [email protected] about your situation and let's see if we can find a way to make this work.
I'm interested in your workshop, but I can't afford it. Is there something you can do?
I want this workshop to be accessible to everyone. So, please email me at [email protected], explain your situation, and we'll see what we can work out.
What if I can't get approval to register before the registration deadline?
I totally get that a two-week window makes registering for my workshop challenging when it takes a long time to get approval from your administrators or school district. In most cases, we can usually find a way to make this work. Email me at [email protected] about your situation and we can take it from there.
How do I register more than one teacher at a time?
Registering multiple people is most easily accomplished by instructing all participants to go to www.mathisfigureoutable.com/bpd and having them register themselves.
If this presents a problem to you, you can also submit a PO request HERE
What happens right after I register?
You should receive two emails shortly after you register. One email will be a confirmation of your registration. Another email will be from me and will have all the information you'll need to get started. At the bottom of that email will be a button you can click to get started.
You can always find the workshop by logging in on the Mathisfigureoutable.com homepage and going to the My Content tab. There you will find the workshop and any other content linked to your account.
Can I pay with a purchase order?
Of course! It's a two step process.
Step 1: Gather the names and emails of all teachers being paid for with the purchase order. Send that information to [email protected]. Please format it as follows: First name Last name, Email ([email protected])
Step 2: Fill out this Purchase Order Request Form.
We'll take it from there!
Need help requesting funding from your school?
Use this template in Google Drive or contact [email protected] for a PDF version.
The workshop experience
What role does Pam have in this workshop?
This is not a workshop where you never hear from the instructor after you sign up. In addition to sending out weekly emails about what to expect, my team and I will be very engaged on the message board and interact with posted questions and comments. Please email support@
Are your workshop videos closed captioned? Transcripts?
Yes, all videos used in this workshop have closed captions entered by hand.
In addition to closed captioning, transcripts are available for download.
Do I have to be online at a specific time for this workshop?
No. This workshop is set up so that you can do it at any time of the day or night.
How much time will this workshop take each week?
Workshop participants can spend an average of about 3.5 hours per module. There are seven modules over the seven-week workshop. Some modules, especially modules 2 and 3, require more time than others. However, remember that even though the workshop is seven weeks, you have access to the content for sixteen weeks.
What homework or extra assignments are there?
While there are no homework or extra assignments associated with this workshop, I provide several things to try in your class. We explore these tasks in terms of how you experience them, how students experience them, and how teachers facilitate them. There is a message board you can interact with others on. There are no papers, reports, essays, or other written documents you must do as a part of this workshop.
When do the live Q&As take place?
The first Q&A takes place around the time that module 7 is released and another is held near the end of the workshop. You can add your questions to the "Live Q&As with Pam" section. I will endeavor to answer as many of these questions as I can during the scheduled workshop Q&As.
Dates, times, and information about how to join the live Q&As will be provided in your workshop specific emails and inside the "Live Q&As with Pam" module.
After the workshop ends
Can I earn a Professional Development Unit (PDU) for this workshop?
Yes! We are partnered with University of Massachusetts Global so you can earn 1 to 4 Graduate Level Professional Development Units. In order to earn PDU's, you need to apply for admission to University of Massachusetts Global, pay $80 per PDU, complete the online workshop, and complete the university's assignments.
Go to the Pam Harris Consulting partnership page, then click on Register Now to get started. Choose EDTU 9075 to register for Building Powerful Division.
Please check with your school or district to determine whether these credits are accepted. Note that these credits require additional fees ($80 per credit) and follow-up assignments.
Can I get a certificate of participation?
Yes. After you complete all the lessons and the workshop feedback form, you will receive an electronic certificate of participation via email. If you need specific information on your certificate of participation, just email [email protected] and explain what you need to have added.
What is your refund policy?
If you complete my workshop and do not learn anything that you can use in your classroom, email me at [email protected] within 10 business days of the workshop ending and I will give you a full refund.