Wonder Number
Can be compared to a periodic table but instead it focuses on numbers and their relationship with one another. It is a 100 hundred chart that is color coordinated. The colors can help those that need visual support to distinguish and recognize patterns amongst numbers. Each number contains their factors and if a number is prime a circle around it identifies it. The Wonder Number chart can be distributed for each student as a reference tool provided for extra support.
Salute
Is an activity that can be used as a competition amongst students or as a challenge of ones own ability. Students are placed in small groups where they will be provided with a deck of cards. Two students will draw a card and without looking at it and they will place it on their forehead. The other student in the group will tell the product. The first student to correctly call out the number they have will win the set of cards. The student with the most cards can be considered a "winner" among "winners". This strategy is effective because it is repetitive and non problem-based activity. The strategy can be modified in the area of math operations.
Is an activity that can be used as a competition amongst students or as a challenge of ones own ability. Students are placed in small groups where they will be provided with a deck of cards. Two students will draw a card and without looking at it and they will place it on their forehead. The other student in the group will tell the product. The first student to correctly call out the number they have will win the set of cards. The student with the most cards can be considered a "winner" among "winners". This strategy is effective because it is repetitive and non problem-based activity. The strategy can be modified in the area of math operations.
Fraction Puzzle
Out of all the tangibles that I have been fortunate enough to use one of the most engaging are puzzles. This activity includes tangibles and something of high interest for most students. Fraction puzzles allows for students to view how a whole can be broken up into many pieces. Some fraction puzzles use everyday objects that children are able to relate with. The puzzles are manipulatives that can be joined together (addition) or taken apart (subtraction). They are useful for independent play and can even be used in a collaborative activity.
Out of all the tangibles that I have been fortunate enough to use one of the most engaging are puzzles. This activity includes tangibles and something of high interest for most students. Fraction puzzles allows for students to view how a whole can be broken up into many pieces. Some fraction puzzles use everyday objects that children are able to relate with. The puzzles are manipulatives that can be joined together (addition) or taken apart (subtraction). They are useful for independent play and can even be used in a collaborative activity.
Equivalent Fractions with a Multiplication Chart
After observing a presentation on this strategy I came to ask myself "Why didn’t I think of that before?” This method uses a multiplication chart and allows students to view vertical rows as fractions. The student will choose a fraction then move down the chart vertically and see how 9/12 is the same as 3/4. Often students are unable to envision this similarity but this strategy makes it concrete for them. The following video demonstrates how this strategy works; it does so with out the use of words. Wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR_qNQsFHhM
After observing a presentation on this strategy I came to ask myself "Why didn’t I think of that before?” This method uses a multiplication chart and allows students to view vertical rows as fractions. The student will choose a fraction then move down the chart vertically and see how 9/12 is the same as 3/4. Often students are unable to envision this similarity but this strategy makes it concrete for them. The following video demonstrates how this strategy works; it does so with out the use of words. Wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR_qNQsFHhM
Mnemonics
One of the most known mnemonic tools is P.E.M.D.A.S. I remember first hearing this term and then being taught its mathematical significance. I was able to relate the order of operations with the sentence "Please excuse my dear aunt Sally". Whenever I approached a problem that required a great deal of operations I would determine what to approach first according to this Mnemonic phrase. Teachers can be creative and create their own Mnemonic phrase in order to help their students retain specific information.
One of the most known mnemonic tools is P.E.M.D.A.S. I remember first hearing this term and then being taught its mathematical significance. I was able to relate the order of operations with the sentence "Please excuse my dear aunt Sally". Whenever I approached a problem that required a great deal of operations I would determine what to approach first according to this Mnemonic phrase. Teachers can be creative and create their own Mnemonic phrase in order to help their students retain specific information.
Lattice Method
This method of multiplication can be used to make multiplying big numbers easier. Many times students may become confused when they multiply because they have not lined up the numbers correctly when adding. The Latice Method provides a layout for the students and once it is practiced a few time the method can prove to be quite helpful. I have provided the following link to a youtube video so that you can see how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnNvCuZ6SMw
This method of multiplication can be used to make multiplying big numbers easier. Many times students may become confused when they multiply because they have not lined up the numbers correctly when adding. The Latice Method provides a layout for the students and once it is practiced a few time the method can prove to be quite helpful. I have provided the following link to a youtube video so that you can see how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnNvCuZ6SMw
Math Wars
Many times when children are given free time they tend to participate in activities that do not reinforce their math skills. In order for one to use "the force" effectively one needs to learn to master it. Math Wars allows students to practice their math skills in a competitive setting. A deck of cards is divided evenly among participants and then each student places two cards in front of them. They then can add or multiply and whoever has the highest number will collect the cards on the table. The goal of the game is to win the whole deck.
Many times when children are given free time they tend to participate in activities that do not reinforce their math skills. In order for one to use "the force" effectively one needs to learn to master it. Math Wars allows students to practice their math skills in a competitive setting. A deck of cards is divided evenly among participants and then each student places two cards in front of them. They then can add or multiply and whoever has the highest number will collect the cards on the table. The goal of the game is to win the whole deck.
Partial Sums
For years we have been taught to add large numbers by carrying over but many times we just teach students procedures and routines rather then making the concept tangible to them. This method teaches outside of the traditional way. It teaches to add from left to right rather than from right to left. It breaks up the problem in multiple parts. If a 3-digit number is being added you will first add the 100's then the 10's and finally the 1's. Once the sums of these are figured out you will then add them together and come up with your answer. To provide you with a demonstration I will include a link on how to use Partial Sums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UexBOa7u8Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UexBOa7u8Y