Two Pet Peeves

When it comes to math, there are 2 MAJOR pet peeves that I have...

1. When reading a number like 149 as "one-hundred and forty-nine."

In math, AND means something. It is an indication that a number has a decimal point. Even if you teach younger children, please don't use and.

2. Telling students that they CAN'T subtract a larger number from a smaller number (ex. 2-3). You can actually subtract a larger number from a smaller number. You will get a negative number. So, your students might not be working on these types of problems, but to say it can't be done is untrue.


Why does it even matter?
It is VERY difficult, especially with students who struggle in math, to un-teach misconceptions. When students get into grades where they encounter decimal points and negative numbers, it is important that they not be confused by past practices.

one hundred and forty-nine looks like: 100.49
2-3= -1

So please....   when saying numbers aloud to students in younger grades, subtract the word "and" from your vocabulary.

When a student in younger grades is trying to subtract 2-3, don't tell them they can't do that. Tell them that, while it is possible, it is not something they are learning yet and that they need to use borrowing to solve the problem.

Improper Fractions- Are terms confusing our kids?

Here's a little something to contemplate....

What does the word "improper" mean? Incorrect, inaccurate, not in accordance with accepted rules.

Does it make sense that some of our students might view an improper fraction as a fraction that isn't right? Is there another way to name a fraction where the numerator is larger than the denominator? Can we say "a fraction greater than 1?"

Writing a fraction where the numerator is larger than the denominator is perfectly acceptable, after all.....

Just food for thought today.

Check it Out

Don't forget to check out the Math App of the Month tab. There's a pretty cool app this month :)

Flexible Thinkers

It came up in conversation today that each math program seems to have it's own preferred tool that it uses to teach concepts (fraction circle, tape diagram, number line, area model, etc). When children are taught using a program's preferred method, this actually becomes a rote way of learning how to do something. It reduces it to nothing more than a procedure to be followed and does nothing for the student who truly does not understand the concept. That led to a discussion on flexible thinking. Students should be introduced to topics through pictoral representations using different tools/language to help them gain the conceptual understanding. In the end, it should not matter how they model their knowledge of a math concept as long as they can show they understand.

Think of it like this....  If you ALWAYS show students how to compute fractions using a tape diagram but then they are presented with a problem that asks them to think about serving a pie at Thanksgiving or not having the right measuring cup and trying to figure out what they can use instead to get the correct measurement- will they be able to figure it out?

Lets make sure that no matter what "program" we use, we keep in mind that we need to make sure we are helping to create flexible thinkers (even if that means stepping outside of the program to show students other tools they can use to solve the same problems).

New Addition

I added some of the different ways students are learning how to multiply with decimals under the 5th grade page!

Enjoy :)

Up and Running!

So my brand new blog is up and running. Right now it has very limited information, but I will be adding more in the coming weeks. If there is something you'd like to see let me know.

Right now, I have started with the Math App of the Week and some information about Number Bonds in Kindergarten.

I am excited to share all of these fun math topics with you!

Welcome to my new blog~ Elementary Math Minds!

Check back often to see updates. There will be different ideas for math in grades K-5. You will also find a math app of the week, which will highlight a new app each week.

I can't wait to get my new blog up and running!

If there is something you would like to see, let me know and I will see if I can incorporate that too.