Why do our students struggle to understand fractions? A big part of the problem is that fractions are incredibly abstract. If I were to ask you, Which is greater, 1/8 or 1/4? you would likely have an image in your head corresponding to those fractions. Unfortunately,...
Worksheets have long been a staple in mathematics classrooms. But should they be? Read on to explore how teaching math without worksheets can lead to more engaging and meaningful lessons and actually reduce your prep time. This post contains affiliate links, which...
As a young girl, I briefly took gymnastics lessons. Anybody else? I have to admit that I was not very flexible—I couldn’t do a smooth backward roll to save my life! That said, one of my favorite Olympic events is the gymnastics competition. Every four years,...
Not too long ago I wrote about the power of part/whole thinking, and how an understanding that begins in Kindergarten has tons of applications throughout the elementary curriculum. Here’s yet another one. Take a look at this fraction addition problem. Think...
How important is it that our students understand fractions? According to a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, it’s super important. The research team found that fifth graders’ understanding of fractions and division predicted high school...
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...
