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
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…
Okay, so I’m talking about the two most important questions you can ask your kids to help develop mathematical thinking. Wait! Don’t go. Math often receives short shrift. It’s unfortunate because math, taught correctly, teaches us how to effectively problem solve. It’s also the perfect subject to teach our kids persistence. Research has shown that kids who are persistent tend to do better academically. And doing well academically has great benefits in life. The two most important questions: #1: WHY?…
I’m frustrated. So I’m going to vent. ‘Sup with the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics? Haven’t we had a set of standards since 1989 that are called the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards followed by the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics in 2000? Wasn’t this already done by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics? What am I missing here? Oh…now the standards are going to be common across all states. That’s the diff? Really? I’ve been in education…
Students use sticky dots to create a caterpillar with a head and 10 body parts. They add eyes, a mouth, and antennae to the head. Then they add two legs to each body part. Finally, they skip count by 2s and write in the number. For the younger ones, I provide a 0-110 number chart for them to use as they write in the numbers. . . . Oops…I didn’t catch this one in time. Her caterpillar is skip counting…