As I’ve attended trainings focusing on Common Core Math it has become evident that kids are expected to know sums that equal ten. As kids are expected to explain their thinking, examples continually show kids saying things like, “To add 64 plus 8, I added six more to 64 to make 70 and then knew […]
Multiplying Multi-Digit Numbers: 3 Strategies
Multiplying multi-digit numbers can be a challenge for 5th graders. But, these three strategies help students make sense of it. Most of us learned a short cut in school to help us multiply multi digit numbers known as the standard algorithm or traditional algorithm. One thing we as teachers need to be careful of is […]
Using Multiples to Memorize Multiplication Facts
As students work to memorize their multiplication facts, I try provide many different opportunities for them to practice. The students set a goal. Once they know which facts they want to memorize, I give them the freedom to choose how they will accomplish their goal. Some students love using technology. I have a class website […]
Recovering from the Earthquake and a Two Digit Multiplication Game
School has been off to a slow strange start. Soon after school started, we had a major quake in Napa. Our district canceled school for students for two days while employees came in to clean up. Our school had a pipe break in our staff room. Classrooms had things on the ground. Overall, though, our […]
Math Fact Fluency
Today, I’m linking up for the first time with Teaching Tribune for Two for Tuesday. This year I worked with a group of first graders that were struggling to memorize their facts. They were struggling in their homeroom classes and were discouraged. They needed the facts broken down into small manageable chunks. The first day […]