Tools for Now, Learning for Later

Common Core Strategies for Teaching Math (and why they really are ...

That quote, is SPOT ON! I don't disagree in the least. (Bet you didn't expect that, did you??)

However, I don't know any elementary school students who are sent to the grocery store to do the weekly shopping on a budget alone.

Number lines, hundreds boards, ten frames, algebra tiles, and all the other physical representations of math and numbers give students something concrete to set the stage for learning. We move away from each of them fairly quickly as students become more fluent in their math facts, but they provide a perfect physical and visual reminder for students to mentally refer back to as they learn and grow.

We all encourage our kids to try new things - consider adding new math strategies to that list! (And cheer them on, just like you would if they were trying a new sport or instrument.)

Comments

Trust the Process: Fractions - the Real F Word

I know it's not exactly the most comforting advice to adults who have been through a lot of change, but 1 thing I know for sure is that no school, no teacher, no administrator, no aide wants any child to be poorly educated. Instead those teachers, administrators, aides, and school officials all know that there is a building process from Kindergarten (or 4K) through senior year of high school. There is a progression that they've spent (countless) hours working to align so that every topic is covered, every concept is given time to develop, and every student has access to the material when they're ready. The long and short of it is that there is a well thought out process - please trust it. While it may be frustrating for you at times, remember that you have all the "keys to the castle" as an adult who's be...

There's HOW MANY ways to add 2 numbers?

To answer the title question - a LOT! We take for granted that most of us adults can add quickly because we "know our math facts". For many of us that may be true, but I would bet that the vast majority of adults out there do quite a few of the addition strategies your children are taught in elementary school without even knowing it! This video addresses some of the addition strategies that I've seen frustrating parents. Addition Video As always, let me know if there's a topic you'd like to see Demystified!

The sum is the same, no matter how you got there; so how'd you get there?

Yet another example of adults saying "But there's a better way..." No one would argue that you, adult, can add probably faster than an elementary school student. We are in the process of building UP TO that speed and accuracy. By encouraging your child to imagine the groupings, you are building their imagination (draw whatever you'd like!), their math skills (count up, make 10s), and their mental flexibility ALL IN 1 PROBLEM! Check out my NEW addition video for a little more about how this problem is VERY similar to what many adults already do! Making sense of a problem IRL isn't about having an algorithm to write out your work. Instead it's about applying what you know to a REAL situation. This is what most adults think of when they see an addition problem: But this is what many ...

Demystifying Elementary Math (from a Secondary Perspective)

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