Poetry Sisters Write Poems to Unanswerable Questions
16 hours ago
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Math Update
We have been working on adding and regrouping in math this week. Students reviewed how to add double digit numbers without regrouping, and practiced their problem solving skills at the same time. On Tuesday they did an introductory practice sheet with manipulatives that gave them a head start for today's assignment. We will be talking more in depth today about how and why we "carry" or regroup numbers. It's important for them to understand the meaning behind it and not just memorize the process. Today's work will include more manipulatives so students can visualize how the numbers combine. On Thursday we will begin the paper and pencil multi-step process that follows a set formula.
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2 comments:
Why is it so important to understand the meaining behind the algorithym before you learn it. It seems to be that teaching them in conjunction might be a better approach. I have the same issue with multiplication in the later grades. I understand MARA, but there are certain facts that need to be learned (much like spelling) in order to do higher items.
Children at this age seem to learn best when first introduced to a topic using manipulatives. This gives them a solid foundation and frame of reference for when they move to paper and pencil. If they don't truly understand the concept and have just memorized a formula, it is harder to apply and be used meaningfully in an actual circumstance. Some children are really good at memorizing though, so I do understand how that might work better for their learning style. Also, just because the students have made the switch to the algorithm, doesn't mean that we won't still be working with the manipulatives on occasion through games and practice.
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