As we begin to introduce multi-digit multiplication, the tendency is to dive right into the standard algorithm. While the standard algorithm is an efficient strategy, it is very procedural and many kiddos mimic the steps without understanding the process. A great...
Composing and decomposing numbers is critical learning for Kindergarteners and 1st Graders. This is something that needs to be practiced all year long as students master the combinations first for 5, then 6, then 7, etc. And, of course, they won’t all progress...
Working with large numbers really needn’t be difficult for students. It’s all about patterns! You can read more about that here. Once students understand the structure of our number system, it just takes practice reading, writing, and comparing...
Oh, how I love easy games that are engaging for the kiddos and require low prep time! Especially when those games develop critical skills, like composing and decomposing numbers and making combinations for ten. This post contains affiliate links, which simply means...
There’s a lot to be learned from the data that comes from state testing if we use it correctly. Oftentimes, we’ll take a problem that students, as a whole, perform poorly on and we create a bunch of problems just like that one and “teach” them...
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...
