Whenever I make a game for my classroom, I don’t just make one version. I made a BUNCH of versions. Here is why: BUT you have to give students LOTS of practice and opportunities to use them. Are you with me? These are strategies I have taught during math workshop or during our small group math time. However, students need to practice. I want to create a ton of opportunities for them to employ these strategies. Over time, these strategies become automatic and happen in the background. I want students to take the known, “Well, if I had 4 and I took 4 away, I would have nothing left. So if I took one less than 4, it would leave me with one.” NOTE: Students might actually think of this strategy visually, especially if they have been using math journals all year long.Īt first, when students are given a problem like 4-3 I don’t want students to memorize the facts I want them to have useful strategies for problem solving.
