Addition

Addition

--is a mathematical operation that represents combining collections of objects together into a larger collection. It is signified by the plus sign (+).

   

Addition is used in everyday life. Addition is one of the first mathematical operation that students learn after they learn their numbers and to count. Addition is used when you are adding up numbers, like when we add up how many apples each child has, when we add up how many players are on a baseball field. 

Some students may think addition is easy and ask why do we have to keep doing addition this is too easy. Addition may be easy when adding two single digit numbers but it will get more challenging when we get to adding two, three, four and five digit numbers. Addition can also be challenging to some kids when you have to carry numbers and then remember to add them when adding the bext column.

Below is a math games that gives students some practice with adding up numbers. In this game students use marbles to help them add up numbers in order to achieve the correct answer. This is a good idea when working with younger kids. They love use objects to help them add up numbers. 

http://www.abcya.com/addition.htm

Here is a whole website with a bunch of different addition games. 

http://www.fun4thebrain.com/addition.html

Exponents

 

Exponents

The exponent of a number shows you how many times the number is to be used in a multiplication.







Using exponents also called powers can be a faster way to write a multiplication problem. like when you have to figure out ....


You can also add, subtract, multiply, or divide a number easier if it is in exponent form then if you have to divide a very big number. 

8x8=64 but it  could also be written as 8² or it could be written in words as 8 squared.

5x5x5=125 but it could be written as 5³ or it could be written in words as 5 cubed

There is a button on calculators for squared is  x²
there is a button for cubed to is look like x³
for the number 4-9 you could just use the ^ symbol after the base number.

Negative Exponents

Negative? What could be the opposite of multiplying?

Dividing!

A negative exponent means how many times to divide one by the number.

Example: 8^-1 = 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125

You can have many divides:

Example: 5^-3 = 1 ÷ 5 ÷ 5 ÷ 5 = 0.008

But that can be done an easier way:

5^-3 could also be calculated like:

1 ÷ (5 × 5 × 5) = 1/5³ = 1/125 = 0.008

Below is a cool activity about exponents.

 http://prezi.com/riorv8f_b1d0/c1-1-3-exploring-exponents/

exponent song 

 

Fractions

 WHAT IS A FRACTION????

Is a part or portion of a whole.

A fraction has 2 parts a numerator and a denominator.

 The numerator is -- the term of a fraction that is above the fraction bar, that represents the number of equal parts that are.

The denominator is-- that term of a fraction that is below  the fraction bar, that represents the total  number of parts.

Learning about fractions can prove to be very difficult for many students.  There are many rules they must remember when adding, subtraction, multiplying, or simplifying fractions.   For many students it can be way to confusing when the denominators are different. It is hard for students to realize what a faction might look like without giving them manipulatives to see what each fraction might look like. Using fractions is a life long concept the earlier students know and understand what fractions are and what they are used for the easier it will make their lives. 

Fractions are used in many different jobs such as;

Chefs, use fractions when they measure the flour, sugar, milk, oil when they are baking a cake.

Builders, use fractions then they are building a house, decks, and installing wood floors.

Tailors, use fractions when they are sewing a dress, hemming a suit, and buying fabric.

Architects, use fractions when drawing up blueprints, remodeling a house, and landscaping a backyard.

Here are a couple of worksheets that deal with fractions

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/fractions/fraction-shapes_TWQTQ.pdf

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/fractions/equivalent-fractions_TWQZR.pdf

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/fractions/adding-fractions-like-denominators-no-simplifying_TWMQD.pdf

 http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/fractions/mixed-numbers_TWMRT.pdf

Below are just some options of manipulatives that can be used to help students understand fractions.

Here is a good game that students can play that help them with fractions.

Fractions game 

3-dimensional shapes

3-dimensional also called geometric shapes, are seen all around us on any given day.

What are 3 dimensional shapes? 

3-dimensional shapes must have a length, width, and height. Examples of 3-simensional shapes are a cone, a cube, a pyramid, a sphere, a cylinder, and a rectangle prism.

Examples of a Cone are an waffle cone, a clowns hat, a mega phone.



 Examples of a Cube are dice, puffs Kleenex box, and cheese cubes.

Examples of a pyramid are pyramids in Egypt, and a food pyramid.


Examples of a Sphere are a soccer ball, a baseball, a pool ball, and a globe.



Examples of a cylinder are a pop can, some garbage  cans, kaleidoscope, and a tootsie roll.



Examples of rectangular prisms are a gift box, a box, a jolly rancher, a window, and a door.


Kids probably play with 3-dimensional objects everyday with out even realizing it. There pencil is a 3-dimensional object.Many things they play with at recess are 3-dimensional objects.

One way to get students to really think about 3-dimensional shapes is to turn it into a contest by giving each student a piece of paper and giving them 2 minutes to write down as many 3-dimensional objects they can with not repeats. Students love contests and this would be an easy contest to do.

 Here is a unit that you can teach students on 3-dimensional shapes.
http://www.mcrel.org/pdf/curriculum/5021cm_shapes.pdf

Here is a worksheet on 3D shapes
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/geometry/solid-figures2_TZNDZ.pdf

You can teach them how to count the number of faces on a shape, how many edges a shapes has, how many vertices they have. I higher grades the students will learn how to find the area and perimeter of 3D shapes.  

Estimation

ESTIMATION

Estimate is
When you estimate the answer to a problem it means that you give a pretty good guess at what the answer will be.
Example:   199 x 302 = ?      Well, that's close to 200 x 300 which is 60,000. (I can do that in my head).   So, my estimate for the answer is 60,000.  The real answer is 60,098.

Estimation is a very critical skill to learn. You can use estimation in everyday life. Estimation can be used to estimated the cost of a group of things, to estimate the discount off of an item,  Estimate how long it will take to complete a task, How much food you need to feed a group, and you estimate how long an object might be. You could also use estimation to determine how much paint you need to paint a room, and how much money you need for a vacation.

Students sometimes use estimation without even knowing it. They estimate( take a guess) at what score they will receive on a test, how much money they will receive for their birthday, How much money they have in their piggy bank, if they have enough money to buy a certain toy they want, and how many goals they might score in their next soccer game. 

I use estimation while I am working at my job by estimating how many snacks I will need, how long it might take to complete a project, and how long it will take the kids to get all their winter gear on. This is a hard one to estimate, because it depends on many different factors. Some days it might take 5minutes and other days it might take 15 minutes.

Teachers use estimation all the time. Estimating how many pencils you will need for the school year, how many kids might need scholarships to attend a field trip, and how many worksheets might be needed based on how many kids might need a second one.

PBS kids has many games on estimation

http://pbskids.org/games/estimation.html

PBS kids Sid The Science Kid Estimation  Investigation

Multiplying numbers

What is Multiplication?

Multiplication- is a mathematical operation of multiplying 2 or more numbers called factors. The answer is the product.

 

There are many different ways kids are taught to multiply numbers such as: groups of, multiplying using an array, and by breaking apart the number into smaller numbers that you already know the answer to and then adding them.

Multiplying using groups of also know as the commutative property of multiplication.

If I have 12 pennies I could divide them in to 2 groups of 6, or 3 groups of 4. The number of groups goes in the first spot then the number in each group goes in the second spot so 2 X 6 = 12 and
3 X 4 = 12

It is important for students to understand these different methods of  multiplication. Most people prefer one method over the other. Everyone is different, and it is alright to change your preferred method of multiplication many times or as you grow up a further understand the many different ways to multiply numbers to get the answer.

Multiplying using arrays

Multiplying using arrays is like I have 5 rows and 4 columns.
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

Here is an activity you can use to help you understand multiplication using arrays.
http://www.haelmedia.com/OnlineActivities_txh/mc_txh3_002.html

Multiplication song from School House Rock

Here is a video about multiplication