Reasoning About Decimal Multiplication and Division
Multiplying and dividing decimals can be tricky for students, but it’s often not for the reason we think. Once they know the algorithm, the computation is really just like dividing…
Division
Modeling Division
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the third grade math curriculum. Students get their first real exposure to multiplication, division, and fractions—all critical math ideas. We must approach instruction…
Why Students Don’t Know Their Basic Math Facts and How to Help
If you teach 3rd grade, you know that some students come to your class not knowing their basic addition and subtraction facts. And in 4th and 5th grade, there are…
Multi-Digit Computation Game
Computational fluency is still a goal for mathematics instruction. What’s changed is how we approach computation. We have shifted from teaching one method—typically the standard algorithm—to a strategy-based approach. Today,…
Long Division Choice Board
If you asked your students what the purpose of math is, what do you think they’d say? This post contains affiliate links, which simply means that when you use my…
Brain-Boosting Equations
Are you looking for a way to provide your students with engaging computation practice? Today I have a super fun, brain-boosting, elementary math equations game! Brain-Boosting Equations is an activity…
Building Understanding for the Math Operations
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…
Dominoes Multiplication/Division Fact Families
Third grade is such a critical year for developing the concepts of multiplication and division. It’s important that students get lots of concrete experience making equal groups and representing them…
- Grades 3-5 · Grades K-2 · Instructional Strategies · Number Sense · Operations · Professional Growth
Who’s Doing the Talking? The Power of Number Talks
So, I’m starting out today with a pop quiz. Ha ha. What do the following number sentences have in common? NO calculators! They all equal 120, don’t they? Do you…
