I we wrap up our series on adding & subtracting decimals, I'm excited to share not only a free practice activity with you, but also one of my favorite classroom teaching strategies, called a Pair-Share-Check. This adding & subtracting decimals partner activity is specifically designed to help kids practice in multiple ways and then to think about what strategies are the most useful to them. So I hope this proves to be a useful tactic in Keep Reading...
Add & Subtract Decimals on a Number Line {FREE Printable Number Lines!}
Just like fractions, operations with decimals can be intimidating for kids when all they've ever known are whole numbers. But with some intentional teaching and strategies, we can help kids understand that the basic underlying principles are the same. Although this should probably not be a starting point (when addition & subtraction with decimals is new), number lines can be a fantastic aid and visual. Read on for how to add & subtract Keep Reading...
Decimals on a Number Line Game that Kids LOVE!
It is always exciting when we start a new math unit! There is something invigorating about knowing we have completed a chapter, and that its time to learn something new. This new unit introduces my oldest to two new concepts: large numbers up to a million, and understanding decimals. We have had a blast reading about, exploring, and playing games with large numbers and now it is about time to move onto decimals. Like any new concept, it is Keep Reading...
Brilliant Ways to Teach Math with Sticky Notes
Back to school season is upon us, and that means one very important thing: back to school sales. I am a huge school supply junkie and get so excited about the deals this time of year! Even though I'm no longer teaching in the classroom, I still stock up on things like pencils, paper, notebooks, sharpie markers, etc. But one of my favorite supplies? Sticky notes. I'm completely aware of the fact that I have more than I could ever possibly need or Keep Reading...
Making Absolute Value Clear (With FREE Printables!)
One of the math concepts that I have seen students struggle with the most, and yet seems so simple at first glance, is absolute value. It often seems that the only thing students ever "get" from an absolute value lesson is this: absolute value = make it positive. That is NOT, however, the definition of absolute value, and therefore, becomes the cause of much confusion as students try to apply and use absolute value in more complicated problems. Keep Reading...
Exploring Numbers With Magazine Cutouts
As I shared recently, I'm focusing on the numbers 1-20 (especially 11-20) with both of my kids right now. I want to help them see and understand the numbers as 10 + ___, rather than simply memorizing the names. I also want them to be able to order and compare these numbers. After spending some time working on place value and "building" the numbers 11-20, I used this fun and incredibly simple lesson to practice working with these numbers. Keep Reading...
Disney Math! {Countdown to Disney World!}
There has been quite a lot of excitement around our house lately! In case you didn't see it on Instagram, we are planning a trip to Florida next month to take the kids to Disney World. To say they're excited is a bit of an understatement, which can sometimes make concentrating on school work difficult. To help with that (and also get some great math practice and conversations in at the same time!), we created a "Countdown to Disney!" *Please Keep Reading...
Taking Math Outside: Number Line Race
To finish up our week of "Taking Math Outside," I wanted to review adding and subtracting using a number line! A number line is an important tool for solving problems and increasing number sense, and even though my daughter doesn't have much trouble adding and subtracting, I want her to understand how numbers relate to each other on a number line. It was also a good opportunity to discuss the arrows on a number line and the fact that the Keep Reading...
