Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Finding Fair Shares
We are so excited to share with you the closing meeting from our very first fraction lesson this year. Check out the great thinking below!
Fraction Fun from Melissa Ross on Vimeo.
Literature Connection: Here are some suggestions of children's books that contain relevant math ideas about fractions. Look for these books at your local library:
The Doorbell Rang by: Pat Hutchins
Fraction Action by: Loreen Leedy
Eating Fractions by: Bruce McMillan
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Multiplication and Division Strategies
Multiplication and Division Strategies from Melissa Ross on Vimeo.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Arrays Make Math Easy to Visualize
This week in math, we are exploring the use of arrays to help us with multiplication and division. It is imperative that students develop strong visual images of multiplication as they develop strategies for solving multiplication problems. If a student can clearly visualize how the numbers they are multiplying are related, they can develop flexible, efficient, and accurate strategies for solving multiplication problems. One way for students to visualize these relationships is through the use of arrays. An array is an arrangement of an equal number of items in rows and columns. Arrays can helpful when solving more “difficult” multiplication situations. Being able to visualize how to break multiplication problems into parts becomes even more important as students solve multi-digit problems in Grades 4 and 5.
Another way students can help lay a strong foundation for multiplication is to practice skip counting by multiples of numbers 2-12. The goal is for students to be able to skip count fluently (within 3 seconds) from one multiple to the next.This task can be practiced at home, between commercial breaks, or even in the car. Being able to skip count fluently will undoubtedly help students in their work with multiplication and division. Check out this website that helps with skip counting.
Thank you to our guest author this week, Miss Russell. :)