Math Mania

 

  Why is and Why is One-to-One Correspondence Important? One-to-one correspondence is the ability to match an object to a corresponding number and recognize that the number has a value. Often young children count 1,2,3 but do not make the connection from the word number "five" to the number of objects in a given set. Developing one-to-one correspondence is extremely important. Simply put, one-to-one correspondence is the most fundamental skill needed to do the math. Without one-to-one correspondence, students will struggle in all areas of math. How to Teach One-to-One Correspondence Here are some simple ways you can help support the development of one-to-one correspondence skills in your classroom or at home: Count together with children as often as possible. Move each object from one side to another as you say each number word aloud. If the object cannot be moved, point or touch the items as you say each number word aloud. Asking children questions such as, “How will you kee...

Learning the Progress of Counting and Developing Beginning Number Sense Sequence "Subitization" Skip to Mini-lessons on Subitizing In an effort to continue learning the progress of counting and developing beginning number sense sequence, I will discuss subitizing. Subitization means “instantly seeing how many.” Seeing numbers in patterns and pictorial form is the foundation of strong number sense. Subsidization is at the root of the ability to see patterns, visualize numbers, understand the relationships between numbers, support operational fluency, and add and subtract mentally, all of which are essential math skills. There are two forms of subitization: Perceptual subitizing is the ability to see two or three objects and immediately know the number. Students can subitize small groups of objects, typically up to 5. This is an important first step in understanding math! As I mentioned last week, this skill is often exhibited in children who recognize the number on a die, suc...

  The Importance of Manipulatives "Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I may remember. But involve me, and I'll understand."  Benjamin Franklin  I have taught for many years now, and a lot has changed. However, one thing has stayed consistent, which makes me strongly believe in the above quote; Hand-on, Minds-on activities always benefit a child's learning. Just think about a time when you learned something new. What made the new knowledge stick? Was it actually doing the task? Most likely, your answer is yes. Manipulatives are essential in the early stages of mathematics. Manipulative materials are any concrete objects that allow students to explore an idea in an active, hands-on approach. Manipulatives can be almost anything: blocks, cubes, bears, beans, fraction circles, base ten blocks, tangrams, shapes, spinners, or even paper that is cut or folded. When we use these manipulatives, learning occurs on multiple levels, including visual, auditory, tactile, ki...

                      Learning Progression: Counting and Beginning Number Sense  Learning to count seems so easy, right? You begin by singing number songs and counting objects. However, did you know there is a learning progression to counting? Success in mathematics begins with developing a sense of number through counting and quantity? Often, I have TK-K teachers or parents tell me that their child can count to 20, and they can, which is excellent. They think that because the student can count to 20 that they understand what 20 means. This is not always true. They need to develop the understanding that 20 has a value. Counting from 1 to 10 or even 100 is helpful, but this skill alone is not the same as learning how to count. Students are great about saying number names. For example, you show the child a dice,  and the  student will say, “six,” but then we ask them to count the dots to prove  that there are six d...

  The Importance of Math Vocabulary Reference  How-To  Make A  Math Vocabulary Reference  Book I have worked with many students who are really great at computation but have difficulty  understanding what math questions are asking. Therefore, they get the problem incorrect.  Math is its own language. Sometimes that language looks like a written word and sometimes it looks like symbols. Regardless of its form, we must understand the language or it can cause difficulty with math fluency and competency. Some people have a great memory and remember everything the first time they see it...I am not one of those people.  If I don't use it, I lose it.  I find that a lot of people are just like me. One strategy that helps my students with math is creating a math vocabulary book. And that's what I wanted to show you how to do today. Every math book has a key vocabulary section or a glossary that you can use to help guide you. Most students and teachers ...