Math

The math unit we are currently studying is teaching the students a variety of ways to add and subtract. A lot of the techniques use mental math, but the students show their work so that they can learn all of the steps. These solutions may seem like they take longer, but once mastered, they can be done mentally and a lot quicker than the traditional methods taught 20 years ago.

All students learn differently. By teaching more than one way to solve a problem, the students can identify with the solutions that are the easiest for them to solve on their own. Eventually, they will be given the freedom to choose whichever method they would like to use.

It is important for the students to write down all of their steps so that I can identify where and how they have made a mistake (if or when they make a mistake).

Here are some examples:

Problem:
62-39 =

Solution
39 + ____ = 62

39 + 1 = 40 (add 1)
40 + 20 = 60 (add 2 tens)
60 + 2 = 62 (add 2)

1 + 2 tens + 2 = 23

Solution:
add one to both numbers
63-40 = 23

62-39 is one more than 62-40
62-40=22
22+1=23

Solution:
use place value disks (or draw them)

unbundle one 10

cross out 3 tens and 9 ones

Count the remaining disks
2 tens + 3 ones = 23

Problem:
74+38 =

Solution:
7 tens + 3 tens + 4 ones + 8 ones
10 tens + 12 ones
1 hundred 1 ten 2 ones
74+38 = 112

Problem:
124+38 =

Solution:
add the ones = 12
add the tens = 50
one hundred = 100

Problem:
29+42

Solution:
use number bonds

Problem:
53-30

Solution:
use number bonds