Demystifying Elementary Math (from a Secondary Perspective)

Drawing a picture is one way to envision a fraction problem, but it certainly isn't the only way.  Another strategy for dealing with fractions is to utilize a number line. A number line is really the school version of a tape measure - and every carpenter or contractor knows their tape measure fractions!  If we expose students to the number line early and often, then as they start to investigate negative numbers the concept will be clearer. We aim for students to be flexible and nimble in their thinking, so if one pattern or strategy doesn't work they don't give up - instead they have another tool in their tool box (perhaps a tape measure?) to use.

Fractions - another one of those things that send shivers down the spines of adults who never EVER have to see them again, right?   Well, sure. Unless you use a measuring tape. Or cook or bake - especially if you decide to double or *gasp* halve a recipe.   I think we can all agree that fractions HAVE a place in the real world.  So why in the world do we allow our students to hate them so much? Fractions are seen earlier and earlier in elementary math these days and for good reason: we don't need to hide concepts from kids. Every single child understands what half a sandwich looks like (and can probably tell you if their brother just got the "bigger half"...which can't be a thing, but I digress...) What do you, as a parent or tutor or homework helper, need to know about fractions in elementary school? I'm going to explore a few different strategies for fraction work in a series of videos. Starting with pictures.   If you're out ther...

Ah...division.  The 4th and final fundamental operation of elementary math. But I bet when I said that more than a few people were sent back to the days of long division being brutal. I think just about everyone can agree, long division was a HIGH hurdle of elementary school. While division is the partner to multiplication (more on that later), for whatever reason it's also Cinderella's ugly stepsister that nobody wants to acknowledge is really there. Division is incredibly applicable though - need to give each of your kids an equal number of cookies from what's left in the package so nobody fights? Or do you need to figure out how many more glasses of wine you can get from what's left in the bottle...  Either way, division is real life. Luckily, instead of pushing students to just memorize more number facts (which is useful - to a point) we teach multiple ways for students to arrive at their answers, giving them some number dexterity. Your student probably has a...