new way of thinking

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Home : 2003 : February : 5

new way of thinking
By Cindy

Our district is taking a new look at the way we teach math. We're trying to ensure the idea of number, which is commonly lost through the algorithm that we had been teaching. In my class, I always write their problems horizontally,
to force them to understand the concept (where the tens and ones are). One way my students solve 2 digit add/sub. is using the 100's chart. They are fluent with the patterns and can easily solve problems that way. Another strategy my kids are doing is an empty number line. Make a large semi-circle. If the problem is 58+ 13, tell them to choose one number to start with. If it was

58, place 58 under the left side of that 1/2 circle. Next, they look at 13. On the line, they create 1 big jump (count by 10's for big jumps) and then 3 small jumps for the 3 ones. We then count on from 58. 58, 68, (then the ones), 69, 70, and 71. Once they have that established, you can try the algorithm. Just an idea that has been working SO well here.