This resource provides ideas for exploring and investigating mathematical concepts ranging from beginning counting to the introduction of multiplication and division. A variety of independent activities and teacher-directed activities for small groups will help teachers make effective use of the cubes when teaching number concepts. Emphasis is placed on students learning concepts, first using real objects, and then on making the connections with mathematical symbols. The resource focuses on number concepts and number operations, and to a lesser degree, shapes, data analysis, and probability. This teacher resource provides a complete unit of instruction that uses a broad range of problem-solving experiences to develop an understanding of division.
Students solve problems in a variety of real-world contexts.
They investigate division through a geometric perspective by examining patterns and analyzing statistical data. To integrate division into all strands of mathematics, activities include ideas from numbers, patterns and relations, shape and space, and statistics and probability. The unit is built on the assumption that students have already learned about multiplication before studying division. The unit provides information on whole class lessons, menu activities for individual and small group learning experiences, assessments, titles of children's books, and homework. Also included are blackline masters, samples of student work, and a bibliography.