sutton007

Every now and then we all need a second chance !  Wait til you see the difference another chance made! We recently finished a Unit on Place Value in Math.   While students are exposed to Place Value in earlier grades, they make a giant leap in fourth grade.  They need to be able to read, write, compare, order and round numbers to the nearest 100,000.  This is the first time students are working regularly with such large numbers.  One of the most difficult concepts (CCSS 4.NBT.1; 4.NBT.2) asks students to "recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right."  To examine this concept, I worked with students in small groups using Base Ten Blocks. Using the place value blocks, students could clearly see the relationship.  Students worked very hard to understand this concept.  Before the actual test day there were Quick Checks along the way including a Review Day. ...

More and more we are asking students to solve complex math problems.   Along the way we do a lot to help them become successful.  We incorporate the use of many tools during the math classroom. One of the tools we are using this year in the classroom is called, Thinking Blocks ".   This website (there is even a 'free' app for the thinking blocks) poses problems around different types of models.  As a warm up before the regular math lesson this week we practiced solving addition and subtraction word problems using the "part whole model with two parts" and the "part whole model with 3 parts". As a group we watch a quick 3 minute tutorial , practice several problems and then break off with a partner.  Using chrome books, students access the Thinking Blocks website and begin solving each new problem by first checking for understanding and then manipulating the blocks.  Working with a partner also gets the students used to 'talking' about mat...

"2 or 20?" asks the teacher? "Twenty, twenty...twenty," whispered the students on team B. Students in the class of a second grade teacher were totally engaged playing a math game (seen in the second part of the video below). As a way to get my students thinking about "Place Value", I decided to try this with my class at the beginning of school . So we played "101 and Out" with the whole class a couple of times. Getting the hang of it quickly, the students were able to play against a partner. Here is the video from Teaching Channel if you'd like to see how it works: At first I thought the game might be too baby-ish for fourth graders. It was just right to start the year. Soon they will play a variation called "1001 and Out ". Just changing the rules a bit to suit the higher place value needs. "High Number Toss" was the next game we played to help students with reading, writing and comparing larger numbers (into th...

Practicing subtracting with regrouping A couple of my students were having difficulty mastering subtraction with regrouping (a skill they have been practicing since the younger grades).  It was clear they did not understand WHEN they should be regrouping and WHY they were doing so. The concept was too abstract and I knew I needed to make it more concrete. Grabbing my bins of base ten blocks, I sat down and started using them to instruct and SHOW the meaning of subtraction.  Reviewing the idea of "trading" the tens for ones and hundreds for tens was the first step.  I then gave the students a number to 'build' with the base ten models.  From there we came up with a number to subtract. I modeled how we would use the blocks.  It was then the students turn to use the blocks to subtract (they were NOT writing yet, but I was recording each step on a white board for them to see.)  In this way, we continued through many, many problems until the kids were comfortab...

It hasn't happened in so long that we were all caught off guard.  It must have happened because of the extreme heat we have been having.  Just when we were getting ready to sit down and watch our favorite shows - the lights went out!  No television or internet! What's a child to do?  What's a child to do?   Why, hone up on their math skills with some fun and easy games of course! Just like we did!  Playing board games or games on the computer will help keep math skills from sliding during the summer.  Here are some family favorites! Yahtzee .  My daughter, her girlfriend and I played this game of strategy and probability that involves addition.  It was especially fun as we played by candlelight with lots of chatting and laughter.  Meanwhile, the girls, who are teenagers were practicing their basic math operations.  (For those who like playing games online there is a Yahtzee Online Version . Just make sure to turn off chat feature.)...