Think Spring!!!

Math News………………April 2008

 

Ruth W. Rose, Mathematics Specialist

Island Avenue School & Ryerson School

Madison Public Schools

Fourth Graders display and compare their geometric representations of multiplication as they make discoveries about factors, prime numbers, composite numbers, and square numbers.

Third and fourth graders use hands-on materials to develop subitizing concepts and to construct knowledge of multiplication.

 Math Topic:

Parents---Help your children develop strong number sense by practicing subitizing skills with everyday materials like dice and dominoes. 

 

Subitizing is the ability to “see” numbers at a glance, without one-to-one counting.  Research shows that students who have strong subitizing skills can more easily manipulate and partition numbers, which aids in computation and calculation of numbers.  Most youngsters can “see” a group of three objects or less quickly.  They will break larger number patterns into smaller groups to find the value.  Playing dominoes and dice games where children see a quantity quickly at a glance further develops subitizing skills, which is the underpinning of developing fluency in basic Math facts.

 

MATH RIDDLE:

I am a number palindrome,

For I am the same, both front and back!

And when added to myself,

The sum’s a palindrome, that’s a fact!

When multiplied by myself,

The result’s a palindrome, as you’ll see,

And if multiplied by the numbers 1 through 9,

The answer is a palindrome!

What number can I be?

 

Students,

          If you figure out the answer to this riddle, please e-mail the answer  to Mrs. Rose (with a parent’s permission) at: 

roser@madison.k12.ct.us

 

Parents,

          As you read daily to your children, please also tell them “Math stories” and play Math games.  This helps to build stronger, thoughtful mathematicians.

Check out the following websites for more valuable Math concepts, games, and fun . . .

http://illuminations.nctm.org/

http://www.aaamath.com/

http://www.funbrain.com/

http://www.cmtreview.com/

 

 

Our school system’s Mathematics Curriculum is research-based; meets Connecticut State and National Frameworks; is correlated to CMT Strands; and accommodates the needs of all learners in a spiraling, differentiated, challenging program. 

 

Key principles of our Growing With Mathematics program are:

• Children’s experiences, interests, and reasoning abilities are valued.
• Learning must be active, rich in natural and mathematical language, and filled with thought-provoking opportunities.
• Understanding of important concepts is central to knowing how to do mathematics.
• Problem solving develops powerful thinking strategies.

 

Math is Marvelous!!!

 

Ruth W. Rose

Math Specialist,

Madison Public Schools

Island Avenue and Ryerson Schools

roser@madison.k12.ct.us

Voicemail: 245-6475 ext. 7158