Karyn's Blog

Really, Texas? No calculators?

April 21, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

I just read that the Texas State Board of Education is getting rid of calcuators in the elementary grades. It’s a good thing, too, because I’ve no doubt that every kindergarten through fifth grade teacher hands their students calculators so that these teachers can get out of doing what they love doing…teaching. Honestly. Although not approved yet, it’s only a matter of time. Because, as we all know, politicians know best. And, yes board members, you are politicians. I remember…

Super Easy Way to Teach Long Division

April 5, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Here’s a GREAT way to teach long division in a way that uses estimation skills and number sense. In addition, it helps solidify the relationship between multiplication and division. If we can provide our students with a variety of strategies to solve math problems, then math becomes accessible to more students. CCSS: 4.NBT.6; 5.NBT.6

Common Core State Standards Grade 4: Factors

March 16, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Here’s a fun, super easy way to get students to find the factors of a given number. All you need is inch graph paper and stickers. If you like, you can have students create all the rectangular arrays for a given number using tiles then transfer the arrays onto the graph paper using the stickers. CCSS: 4.OA.4

How to Use Rectangular Arrays to Teach Multiplication, Factors, Composites, Primes, Squares

February 27, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Watchthe video below to see how simple objects like tiles, stickers, rubber stamps, dice, and graph paper help teach students important concepts in number theory: factors, primes, composites, and square numbers…not to mention the great reinforcement of multiplication facts. Grades 2 – 5 CCSS: 2.OA.4; 2.NBT.2; 3.OA.1; 3.OA.3; 3.OA.5; 3.OA.7; 4.OA.1; 4.OA.4

Multiplication Arrays with Stickers, Rubber Stamps and Dice

February 21, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Super easy way to have 2nd or 3rd graders physically make each of the multiplication facts. They roll two dice (two different colors, one color for rows and the other color for columns) and create the array using stickers or rubber stamps. Sometimes having them use graph paper helps keep the rows and columns lined up. Also, since a regular die only goes up to 6, you can use dice that has 10 faces. Another options would be to cover…