Problem: How can I get kids to master skip counting? I can’t spend several lessons on it. Solution: Skip counting takes repetitive practice but it’s not something you would want to devote a whole lesson to many times throughout the year. Instead, short, frequent skip counting routines can help all students master skip counting. Skip…
Problem: My students have such a hard time with unknowns in all positions of math problems. (Common Core standards 1.OA.A.1, 2.OA.A.1) Solution: Give them plenty of exposure to part-part-whole! It seems so basic, just a way of showing the two smaller numbers that combine to make a bigger number. As shown on the picture, 3…
A strategy to teach elementary students for increased math fact fluency. Problem: My students spent so much time counting on to add. It’s not efficient! Solution: While there are a variety of strategies for adding, one of my most recent discoveries is what I call the “in betweens” strategy. Here’s how it works: …