For the next part of the lesson, Little pulls up a series of digital manipulatives from Math in Focus’ online resource. These manipulatives, one of which is a virtual pair of hands, are used to solve multiplication problems by having each individual component represent one equal group. One at a time, Little calls students up to the SmartBoard to work out problems using the manipulatives. Using the virtual hands, one girl determines that four times ten is 40 by clicking on and extending four fingers, with each finger representing one group of ten. The students, Little says, thoroughly enjoy using these manipulatives, which help make lessons more interactive and less of a one-way instruction. Little herself is also enthusiastic about the new teaching tools. “I love the technology resources,” she said. “I feel I’m able to provide my students the best way for them to learn, whether on a concrete, pictorial, or abstract level.”
Confidence Through Understanding
Another staple of the Math in Focus multiplication unit is dot paper. Students use dot paper to solve problems by shading in dots to form equal groups, then determining the total number of shaded dots (for example, to solve four times ten, a student would shade four groups of ten dots). Many of the students’ workbook problems also include a smaller block of dots condensed to fit the numbers being multiplied, a feature designed to replace the old “carry method” that current middle and upper schoolers would have been taught. The idea behind all of this, Little stresses, is to ensure students understand the “why” of multiplication.
“I think this is going to do so much for kids who really need to think out loud and follow up,” Little said. By encouraging students to show their thought process, she adds, Math in Focus builds a greater level of confidence by instilling in them that it’s okay to take risks. “To me, that’s huge.”
"It really stretches them a little bit more to deeper thinking."
The Charger, April '16
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Right: Bailey Key works on her math practice and then realizes she's being photographed. Photo by: Matt Bowling
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