In Texas, multiplying decimals with products to the hundredths was added to the 5th grade curriculum last year, and today I tackled it with some of our 5th graders. Shifting from multiplying whole numbers to multiplying decimals is a huge shift, so that means that the...
Arcademics Skill Builders is a fabulous FREE website with online arcade-style games for practicing a variety of skills for many different subject areas. Part/whole thinking is such a big deal, so I was thrilled to find a game for composing and decomposing with...
But you've learned this! You've said this, right? I know I have. We might be teaching, but are the students learning? It's all about understanding and retention. Using models for decimal place value helps students develop a deeper understanding of place value. This...
I thought that title would get your attention! Now just hear me out. I want you to consider that there is really very little in math that students must learn through direct instruction, that is explicit instruction from a teacher. Let me give two examples, and then...
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) now have 5th graders computing with decimals. CCSS 5.NBT.7 reads: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or...
The idea of fractions being equivalent is such a key understanding for helping students develop "fraction sense" that it absolutely must be done right. Students need to see a variety of representations of equivalent fractions to help them see the relationships between...
How did you learn arithmetic? By that I mean basic multi-digit computation, such as subtracting with regrouping, multi-digit multiplication, or "long" division. I learned totally by memorizing a series of steps for each operation. The teacher demonstrated the steps,...
You've got your data in hand, and now you're ready to remediate. How do you start? Of course narrowing it down by standard is your first step. You see that four kiddos missed Question 19, which is coded TEK 5.3E. In Texas, 5.3E is considered a readiness standard,...
Let's face it--data is everywhere. In a school setting, the data that drives our instruction comes from assessments, which we usually classify as either formative or summative. Typically, we define formative assessment as assessment for learning. It is more informal...
It's that time of year. State testing is done, you've taught the curriculum, and you're wondering how to make the best use of the time you have left. Make sure that part of your plan includes remediating grade-level computation skills. Trust me, the teachers in the...
As we finish our second wave of state testing, I am reminded how critically important it is that teachers know and teacher their standards for each math concept. Whether your standards are the CCSS or the Texas TEKS, they are vertically aligned to ensure that concepts...
When you begin to teach a unit, it's essential to know the types of errors students typically make related to the concept you'll be teaching. Basically, if you know where the train is going to derail, you can head it off at the pass. Over time, you notice...
