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Measurement in the Rain math skills measurement Apr 04, 2023

California has been inundated with rain this winter.  The rain has got me thinking about rain gauges and measurement.  I have a very informal system in my backyard.  It’s just...

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Using Tape Diagrams for Math addition division math skills multiplication subtraction Jan 11, 2023

Whenever a student is trying to make sense of a problem I like to ask, “Can you make a picture of it?”  Using a tape diagram for math can help children model lots of different...

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Subtraction Strategies -Constant Difference Strategy math skills subtraction Nov 15, 2022

Powerful mathematicians have many different strategies at their fingertips that they can use to solve problems.  They can choose which strategy will be the most efficient for...

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Construct Viable Arguments in Math math skills parenting for success Nov 02, 2022

One morning a tour group passed through my second grade classroom.  The students were chattering in small groups about different math tasks they were doing.  Manipulatives were...

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Frustration in Math math skills parenting for success Oct 27, 2022

“Frustration is not a sign you are not learning, but ease is.”  ---  David Epstein 

This quote always stings a bit.  My mommy heart doesn’t want...

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Addition Strategies- Open Number Line addition math skills Oct 18, 2022

 

Number lines help children build mathematical meaning. Seeing the numbers arranged in order and then hoping up and down the number line helps children develop a better understanding of...

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What is computational fluency? math skills parenting for success Sep 27, 2022

What does it mean to be computationally fluent?  Has this definition changed?  A generation ago, being good at math meant being fast and accurate.  I’m not sure...

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Addition Strategies - Partial Sums addition math skills Sep 22, 2022

In second grade students are learning to add within 1000 using strategies based on place value.  (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.B.7).  So what does that mean to use a strategy based...

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Help Your Child Develop a Mathematical Growth Mindset math skills parenting for success Sep 08, 2022

Many believe that some people are born with a “math brain” and some are not.  However, recent work by Jo Boaler and Carol Dweck has shown us that there is no such thing as a...

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Using Arrays for Division division math skills Aug 04, 2022

Now that you have learned the importance of arrays and learned how to build them for one digit and two digit numbers, let’s take a look at how arrays can also help support...

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Math Array Example for Larger Numbers math skills multiplication Jul 28, 2022

Think about the problem 13 x 14 for a moment.  Does your brain tell you to reach for a piece of paper?  A calculator?  Do you start solving for partial products in...

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What is an array in math? math skills multiplication Jul 11, 2022

When learning multiplication, students are encouraged to use arrays to organize their objects. If you learned math by memorization and without visual models you might be asking, "What is an array...

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