Teaching 4th Grade Mathematics with Area Models
Educators often consider why students must draw boxes to multiply instead of just lining up the numbers and carrying the digits. These visual diagrams help students see the math happen instead of just following a memorized procedure. This Multiplying with Place Value... read more
Teaching Place Value Relationships in 4th Grade Mathematics
I still remember a parent asking me why we spent so much time on base-ten concepts in fourth grade. It is a fair question, especially since students have used place value since kindergarten. The answer is that we are shifting from simple counting to a deeper grasp of... read more
Making Sense of Large Numbers in 4th Grade Mathematics
If we want students to really grasp the mechanics of decimal math later on, the foundation we build right now in 4th grade mathematics is everything. You know the look: they understand units and tens, but when you throw a thousands-place digit into the mix, their... read more
Teaching 4th Grade Math Multiplication Comparisons
When students learn about multiplication, they often struggle to move beyond simple addition. Most fourth graders arrive at this topic already comfortable with the idea that multiplication is just repeated addition. They see 4 times 5 and immediately think of four... read more