Division Games and Activities
Division Games...... Before the Worksheets
Know how to write and use the division algorithm (the actual division equation).
Your child should be able to physically write the traditional division equation and get the correct answer. Remember, just because he/she writes the traditional equation, doesn't mean it must be solved traditionally. Your child can use any method they like to get that answer.
Have your child practice actually writing the algorithm and answer, you can make this really fun..... you can use so many things to write with and keep your child's attention.
Some examples:
1. ketchup packets at a restaurant
2. whipped cream on a plate
3. cheeze whiz on crackers
4. watercolors and paper
5. water on dry cement
Using crazy ingredients turns our simple division games to messy division fun!
Division Games...... Before the Worksheets
Your child should be able to use a strategy to break these problems apart and quickly get the correct answer.
For, example: 34/12... I know that division is backwards multiplication so I am thinking 12 x ? = 34.. or repeatedsubtraction...how many times do subtract 12 from 34; get as close as you can to 34?
At this point your child has enough skills to know where to start when they are dividing large numbers. They should have a good sense of multiplication and knowlege of the divisiblity rules. If your child is strugging they most likely need more practice with multiplying and dividing.
Please do not underestimate the power of knowing basic facts.
Division games.... Before the Worksheets
Choose an appropriate strategy and equation for story problems.
Your child now knows their basic facts and a variety of strategies to solve these facts. A common problem at this point is to struggle putting their use of strategies and basic facts to work to solve multi-step story problems.
Story problems often take time to troubleshoot which can discourage children. Most kids are use to quickly using a strategy and writing down the answer. However, story problems require kids to take time to analyze the problem. Perseverance is the key to success. Our goal is to instill in them that’s it is OK to struggle and stew over a problem for while.
Many children need some strategies, to help solve story problems. Strategies can be helpful for students who are having difficulty moving from the concrete level of understanding to the abstract level of understanding.
The best strategy you can give your child is:
The " Think Out Loud" Strategy
If your child has trouble answering story problems or is just learning how, they need lots of opportunities to hear someone verbally work through a problem. If you are able to “think out loud” while your solving a story problem, your child will be able to understand the process of solving a problem. The “think out loud” strategy should be taught after the student has acquired an understanding of the math concept/skill.
Here is how you do it:
(1). Read problem two times:
First, just to read the problem.
Second, for understanding.
(2). Restate what you know so far....... "Now, we know that………………."( I restate the facts from the problem).
(3). Next, restate the question in the problem: "We need to find out...".
(4). Brainstorm a plan. Make a statement that starts with, "Maybe I can..." to begin thinking out loud about what operations might work for this story problem. At this point ask your child what they think about the problem.
(5).Choose an appropriate strategy and equation for story problem.
(6). Reread the problem to see if your answer makes sense.
You child should be listen for key words in a story problems:
Clue Words for Addition:
sum
total
in all
perimeter
Clue Words for Subtraction
difference
how much more
exceed
Clue Words for Multiplication:
product
total
area
times
Clue Words for Division:
share
distribute
quotient
average
Although clue words vary a bit, you'll find that there will be consistency with them to guide you to the correct operation.
More multiplication games to come.....
Division Games....... Before the Worksheets
Explain how they got the answer
Example: 63/8...
I thought 8 x ? = 63... I know that 8 x 8 = 64 and that is over 64 so I have to go with 7 x 8 = 56 and there will be 7 left over. The answer is 7r7.
Although this sounds like a simple skill, it can be very difficult for some kids. If your child has trouble explaining their math.....
You can "Think Aloud". Model solving problems by talking about how you got an answer to a problem. Then ask your child what they did to solve the problem.
Ask Questions
You can often relate everyday activities your child does to explaining how they got a math answer.
For example, my son loves video games. To pass each level of the video game he has to accomplish certain tasks. When I ask him about each task he explains all the steps he has complete to advance to the next level; he shows great enthusiasm while he explains the steps to me. You can show your child the connection between explaining these steps and explaining math steps.
Simply pointing out this connection is powerful.
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