Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Teaching Math with Base 10 Blocks




Now that I am a pro at teaching math (3 days in) I can comment on how successful base 10 blocks can be when teaching math.  I did a grade 4 lesson today using the base 10 blocks.  I had the entire grade 4 class meet me on the carpet so I can explain to them how to subtract 3 digit numbers.  I honestly had so many aha moments even before I began to teach the lesson.  I practiced the problems at home before I began and the entire time I wished that I had learned it the same way when I was a student.  I had a lesson on mental math the day before and I noticed many of the students confused on how to subtract mentally.  It seemed as if they did not want to subtract anymore!  When I got them on the carpet and began to demonstrate how to trade blocks etc. I could almost see the light bulbs going off on their head.  The room was bright!  To physically see how to take away the blocks and get a remaining number made more sense to the students.  Next class I will attempt place value.  I can't wait!
Here is a great video that really helped me grasp the concept of subtracting with base 10 blocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1CfyICcEfo&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active


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