Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id iAGL6w018042; Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:06:58 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:06:58 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <s199fa53.008@fg-pdx01.pt-home.us.future-gate.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Katrina Hinson" <khinson@future-gate.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:1161] Re: Long division --HELP!!!! X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 6.5.1 Status: O Content-Length: 1585 Lines: 26 I'm new to the list but I saw this question and I thought I'd give an idea as well. I often have students who struggle with long division. Sometimes, I find that the problem isn't with the division, it's with the multiplication - that either they're not comfortable with multiplying larger numbers or they simply never really learned their times tables. I find that the "practice, practice, practice" advice is good. For some of my students that struggle, it's a comfort level that needs to be achieved- They've had bad experiences with math in the past, low self esteem when it comes to math. They comment "I just can't do it" starting with the basics. I've learned that it's about building their confidence as much as it is about teaching the skill. Often, when they experience positive success, their ability to learn grows and the skills they were struggling with slowly find their way into the plus column. Finally, I also try to make it relevant to my students. They often ask "Why do I need to know how to do this?" It's a valid question, especially with calculators and computers at their disposal. I tie back to something they want to do in their life...like buy a car. We use the newspaper, have them pick out a car, and at this point, we don't worry about the interest, just the base price if they're working on long division. I have them divide the amount by 12, 24, 36 and 48, common months for repayment terms. It gives them something that they can understand and relate too and as someone says, they have the "aha" moment. Katrina Hinson "Progress not Perfection"
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