Welcome back to school! The summer has been busy!

Can you believe that August is over? The summer has gone by too quickly. I've been busy updating checklists and making other resources for Common Core!
 
New Icons ~ Letter-shaped domain icons have been added to all checklists and posters to help students and teachers identify domains (strands) quickly, even if the signs are printed in black/white.

 

FREE Goals Leaflets using “I Can” Statements ~  There are now free leaflets of goals for each grade from K-8, numbered to match the goals on my poster checklists. These require just one sheet of paper, printed on both sides and folded to make a 4-page leaflet. You can download these from my website, www.mathpaths.com.

New Class Goal Signs ~ The 50-60 goals on each grade’s checklist are now available as individual goal signs illustrated with the domain icons, to be printed or displayed on a screen.

New and Expanded Products for the Standards for Mathematical Practice ~  In 2012, I developed “Be a Star” posters to emphasize practice standards in grades 3 to 8. Over the summer, I wrote a simpler K-2 version of "Be a Star" posters. Versions for 3-8 and K-2 include unique star-shaped icons for each practice standard. Both versions also include a mini book.

Have a great school year!

Angie

Why Use Visual Models before Algorithms?

In Common Core, many standards refer to using visual models such as arrays or area models. For example, students in Grade 4 are expected to use place value, arrays, or area models to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. In Grade 4, students are not required to know the standard multiplication algorithm. This algorithm is delayed until Grade 5. Here is a visual model for multiplying 17 by 14. Notice how the area grid has four parts. By finding the area of each part and then adding, students can find the product without learning a new algorithm.

I feel that requiring students to understand visual models before using algorithms is extremely important for three reasons.

• Many students don't slow down to think about problems. Once they know a shortcut, they just try to get answers quickly. Visual models help students learn that answers need to make sense!
• The visual model is a bridge to understanding the algorithm. With 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication, the model helps students see that both tens and ones need to be multiplied and then added.
• Students often have difficulty with word problems. Drawing visual models for problems helps students make the connection from the word problem to the related operation.

Although drawing and using models requires time and effort, the result is that students will develop a deeper understanding of important concepts.