Blog - Terry's Teaching Tidbits

Tips for Introducing Volume

What's the first thing you should do when introducing volume to your students? GIVE THEM UNIT CUBES! The best way to get your students to understand the concept of volume is to put it right in their hands. Provide students with a handful of unit cubes and begin by introducing them to the concept of a unit cube and how it's measured: cubic units. THEY WILL LOVE IT! Do you want to get them ... Read More about Tips for Introducing Volume

2 Strategies for Dividing Fractions

It can be a challenge for students to truly understand the concept of dividing fractions. I'm going to explain and demonstrate 2 strategies for dividing fractions that you can use in the classroom with little to no prep. Using visual models while teaching your students to divide fractions and whole numbers with unit fractions can help to illustrate this concept. As students become more ... Read More about 2 Strategies for Dividing Fractions

Dividing Fractions: Hands-On, Real-World Examples

Are you teaching dividing fractions to students who are not engaged or just "don't get it"? Do you have students who are visual learners? I'm going to show you two hands-on, real-world dividing fractions examples that you can show to or demonstrate with your students. "Seeing" the math in real life may help connect some of the dots. Dividing Unit Fractions by Whole Numbers This video shows ... Read More about Dividing Fractions: Hands-On, Real-World Examples

Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers

If your students are comfortable adding and subtracting fractions, they should be very successful with adding and subtracting mixed numbers. If you're struggling with teaching your students this skill, try implementing some of the tips below. To get a free download of the templates in the video, click here. Teaching Tips Have students show their work clearly ... Read More about Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Multiply Fractions and Mixed Numbers {Digitally}

Show your students how to multiply fractions and mixed numbers digitally using models and the standard algorithm. To multiply fractions, I use two strategies: visual models and the standard algorithm. To teach mixed number multiplication, I use area models in addition to the standard algorithm. My students have always had a pretty easy time with multiplying fractions using the standard ... Read More about Multiply Fractions and Mixed Numbers {Digitally}

Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Are you looking for quick and easy instructional resources and practice to help your students convert improper fractions and mixed numbers? It's important for students to be able to convert a mixed number to an improper fraction and an improper fraction into a mixed number. While this isn't usually a skill that is used in isolation, it's important for students to know in order to be able to ... Read More about Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers