Math Discussions

Arrays are a great way to introduce multiplication in grades 2 and 3. Playing with arrays will help students model multiplication as repeated addition and understand the properties of multiplication. It is very important that we help students visualize and understand multiplication early on so that we build a strong …

Today we would like to share with you a fun activity we created (my little mathematicians and I) to challenge my youngest son with multiplication facts practice. We call them the Number Steps! This is a great activity to challenge your students with. I use this activity to challenge my …

A few days back I gave my students a few”numbers crosses” to solve as part of an escape room activity. I call them number crosses because instead of words you write numbers on the tiles and you describe those numbers in words. They work like puzzles and they can get …

Symmetry surrounds us. People, animals, plants, everything on the earth and outside is symmetrical. Symmetry is nature’s artwork that creates harmony and balance. So why not have a symmetry lesson outside, in nature. Spring and fall are the best seasons for this activity. Finding symmetrical objects with students while on …

Fostering a positive attitude towards math from a very young age prepares children for success in math. Studies have found that a positive attitude toward math boosts the brain’s memory center and improves math performance. Every child can be successful in math with good teaching, coaching, practice, encouragement, and motivation. …

The Hindu Multiplication or Lattice multiplication is an algorithm that was first founded in the 10th century in India. This method was later adopted and introduced in Europe by Leonardo Fibonacci in his Liber Abaci. The method is also called Lattice Multiplication because it requires a rectangular lattice with diagonals drawn through the cells. Each cell …

When students struggle with multiplication facts, solving complicated problems (like for example finding common denominators to add fractions) becomes hard. When they use most of their working memory on simple calculations they have little mental space left for understanding new concepts. Students start learning the multiplication facts in grade 3 …

What makes fractions challenging for students? I recently came across a few articles about teaching fractions and realized that educators and parents share the opinion that fractions and their operations are one of the most difficult concepts for students to grasp. Learning the various fraction operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, comparing, simplifying) …

Differentiating math instruction In a typical classroom of 25 students a teacher will find a variety of academic needs. Different academic needs means different abilities in the understanding of math concepts and different learning styles. Therefore, the instruction needs to be organized and adjusted to meet all the students’ needs …