My students are taking their multiplication chapter test tomorrow, and that means the next unit will be.... DIVISION!
I love math, but I have never had to introduce the concept of division before. I mean, my 3rd graders have some idea about it, but I'm not really sure where to begin... Advice?? I know I need lots of hands-on experience for them... any advice, websites, activities, ets. will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you, thank you! :) Or do you remember something your teacher did back in elementary school that helped division "click" for you?
In semi-related news, I made it through my 2nd day of teaching. :) hehe The kids did even a better job today than yesterday. I still want to "clean up" the chatty-ness they have going in class and during transitions (i.e. it does not take any talking to put away your spelling and get out your reading--we might need to practice that a couple times until they "get it"). Overall, I think things are going well though. :)
Thanks in advance for division ideas! I need to go respond to the notes in my "mailbox" from the kids today. They about doubled from yesterday! :) Oh yeah, and a teacher commented on my attendance chart--I'll bring it home over the weekend to post a picture. :)
Blessings,
Becca
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Division--eek!
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3 comments:
Here's a thought about introducing the concept. How about getting 20 or so blocks or or marbles or some such stuff (sticks of chewing gum? pretzels?).
Put 10 of them in a pile, and ask the students how they would divide them up so two students (whom you have chosen) would each get an equal number. Have them show you how they would do it.
After talking about this, add four more and ask again.
Then add a marble (or whatever; total: 15) and ask how they would divvy them up so three students each got the same number.
Add three more and ask again about three students.
Then add two more (we're up to twenty now) and ask about dividing them up among:
1. Two students.
2. Four students
3. Five students.
Dad G.
Becca,
Your Dad is on the right track with the visuals. You know all the "Connors" (who is 10 tomorrow, btw . . (sigh)) just click into that visual/hands on stuff. Let me just add that after they divide the pile (10 pretzles) by 5 students and they each get 2, then throw in a "and by the way" multiplication ending . . "what is 5 kids x 2 pretzles each???? Since they are fresh with multiplication, a little light bulb might go on for them. It has for Connor at times.
Love the mail idea. Our school has a main mailbox in the front office where parents or anybody can write a note and it is delivered schoolwide on Thursdays. They feel most special to receive mail.
Becca,
Your dad totally has it! Only my favorite manipulative (if they can handle it) is the students themselves! Have 10 students stand up. Then ask them how can they put the 1 group of 10 into 2 groups with the same number. Then add 2 more students to the whole group...and repeat. You can start with smaller numbers. That's what I would do. I'd start with 2 students. Work up to 4 students and then try maybe 10 students. Then after you had done a few runs with the actual students have them sit down and use buttons, marbles, blocks, etc. First have them use the manipulatives. Partners (again if they can handle it) can be helpful. Then next step is after they understand the concept have them start writing it. ie
have them write 10 (explain that 10 is the big group) and then show them the division sign (they just have to memorize that) and have them write a 2 (explain that that is how many small groups you want). have them use the manipulatives, count how many are in the small groups and write that number over the ones - make sure that you're clear that since 5 is a number in the ones column, it needs to be placed in the same place above the 10 (the 0 is in the ones so the 5 needs to be over that - in case I wasn't making any sense)
I have to start doing long division soon. FUN! Good luck. You'll be awesome!
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