Aloha everyone! I hope this 2nd semester is starting out well for you. Can you believe it is already mid January?? I finished up my report cards this week and I am so happy they are out of the way. Last week we started a new chapter in our math series. Our lower elementary classes adopted the Go Math curriculum last year. I like some aspects of it much better than Everyday Math, which we were using before. Chapter 5 is 2 digit subtraction. Since Go Math is aligned with the Common Core there are quite a few strategies to begin this chapter before we head into regrouping full force. We practiced with manipulatives and I wanted to make sure that the students really understood what it meant to take a ten and break it up into ones. The student book has a template to help students practice, but I wanted them to be able to use the template whenever they needed it, so I just created my own. I just slipped them into sheet protectors for a quick sturdy mat. So we practiced taking a ten and exchanging it for 10 ones. It was easier for some of the students to see it using this mat. Partners are also a great way to help out those that are still struggling with the concept. Once we practiced with the mats for a few days we moved to using number and pictures. I created an anchor chart to help the students follow the steps of when to regroup. Once students read through it with me, we practice as a whole group. My students love to come up to the Elmo and work the problems out. I place the chart right up on the board so that they can help anyone who gets stuck. The next day we reviewed the steps and then I had the students write the steps on their own, in their math journals. For some students this is a great way to see the steps again and to process a bit a further, than just hearing it or reading it. They can also refer back to it when they forget what to do. I think they are all off to a good start and will be pros in no time! I created a poster with these same steps for you to use in your class if you like. Just click on the picture and you can download it in Google Docs. How do you teach regrouping? It's always nice to hear about new ideas, so leave me a comment or a link to your favorite regrouping activity.
