I’m a giant fan of serving to college students to make use of STRATEGIES when approaching math fairly than mindlessly following steps in an algorithm. Personally, I not often observe order of operations when simplifying a math expression. Having quantity sense means you take a look at the maths job and THINK about it and discover methods to interrupt aside and regroup in additional environment friendly methods when it may be finished. Nonetheless, I’ve by no means finished this with fractions.

Decomposing Numbers

19 + 23

Including 19 and 23 utilizing the usual algorithm is certainly slower. after I see this downside I need to add one and subtract one.

20 + 22

I used to be in a position to EASILY make this transformation in my head. The ensuing expression is considerably simpler so as to add than the primary expression.

What About Fractions?

However what about taking a look at fractions on this method. I noticed this tweet by Jennifer Bay-Williams with an instance of how a pupil added blended fractions. I had an epiphany: How have I by no means considered doing this? It’s virtually like I wanted permission that I can rethink how I method fractions.

Pondering First

The problem with instructing college students solely the usual algorithm… and shudder marking them down if they don’t do it precisely how we confirmed them… is that college students usually are not being requested to assume. They’re being requested to REMEMBER.

[Tweet]The primary method to a math downside ought to be THINKING about it. Not competing with a calculator. [/tweet]

Utilizing the commutative property I can manage the fractions and the entire numbers seperately. THINKING in regards to the fractions I can ask, “how do I make an entire?” This helps me to consider the idea of fractions and never simply the steps.

Generally the usual algorithm is quicker and typically it’s not. College students ought to cease and THINK about math issues earlier than simply diving into the algorithm. Serving to them to be extra versatile with numbers and to use methods when applicable will assist them to be extra assured and proficient at arithmetic.

Q5:What do you discover about this pupil’s work? What concepts about instructing come to thoughts? #ElemMathChat pic.twitter.com/x3fyTJi5w3

— Jennifer BayWilliams (@JBayWilliams) November 4, 2022

Graspable Math Whiteboard

To create the pattern math issues I used the Graspable Math Whiteboard.

Decompose Fractions

As an alternative of diving into the steps of including fractions have college students take a look at how they will break aside the fractions to make it simpler to method the maths downside. Have college students decompose fractions as one other mind-set in regards to the numbers.

Associated