Models That Make Math Meaningful
Models That Make Math Meaningful
Web Resources
Fraction model applet Equivalent fractions Fraction game
Understanding is the key to remembering what is learned and being able to use it flexibly.
- Hiebert, in Lester & Charles, Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving, 2004.
Computational Fluency
7 x 28
Make an Array
24 x3 12 60 72
A Harder Problem
24 x 13 12 60 40 200 312
Decimals
3 x 0.24
0.12 + 0.60 = 0.72
0.3 x 0.6
2 3 3 4
Array
2 of 3 rows
3 of 4 in each row
24 + 6 = 30
1 2/3 x 2 = ?
6 4
10
5 9 45 9 3 x 3 3 3 4 12 12 4
Algebra
x
x + 1
(x + 1) (x + 2) = x2 + 2x + x + 2
= x2 + 3x + 2
Break it up
Yellow (L) = x 4 = 2 Blue = 2 x 3 = 6 Yellow (R) = x 2 = 1 Orange = x 2 = 1 Red = x 4 = 2 2+6+1+1+2 = 12 square units
6
Make a Rectangle
Area of rectangle = 3 x 6 = 18 squares Areas of triangles UL: x 4 = 2 UR: x 2 = 1 LL: x 4 = 2 Area of pentagon LR: x 2 = 1 = 18 6 = 12 sq. Total = 6 squares
6 4 2
So?
Find the area of a triangle with base 10 and height 5.
5 10
Fraction Division
What is the whole if half is 1? Measurement model
Need two pieces of 1 2 = 1 x 2 size 1, so find 1 x 2 = 3
=3
1/2
A=1
x ___ = 1
Decimals
Percents
A group of students has $60 to spend on dinner. They know that the total cost, after adding tax and tip, will be 25% more than the food prices shown on the menu. How much can they spend on the food so that the total cost will be $60?
$60
Cost of Food
Percent Bar
A group of students has $60 to spend on dinner. They know that the total cost, after adding tax and tip, will be 25% more than the food prices shown on the menu. How much can they spend on the food so that the total cost will be $60?
$60
100%
125%
Another Approach
A group of students has $60 to spend on dinner. They know that the total cost, after adding tax and tip, will be 25% more than the food prices shown on the menu. How much can they spend on the food so that the total cost will be $60?
Dinner
$40
$4
$8
$48
$10
$50
$1
$5
$2
$10
$12
$60
More on Percent
Josie needs $40 for a new sweater. She has $24. What percent does she have of what she needs?
$24
$40
?%
100%
Using a Table
Josie needs $40 for a new sweater. She has $24. What percent does she have of what she needs?
Needs Has Percent $40 $4 10% $40 $20 50% $40 $24 60%
48%
100%
Total # done
100 48
50 24
25 12
SO?
Pictures Manipulatives Oral language Written symbols Tables Graphs Relevant situations Which model(s) are most meaningful for my students? Which models promote more powerful thinking? In what order should I use selected models?