In groups, students each roll a number cube and use dimes to represent the decimal rolled. For example, a student rolling a 4 would take 4 dimes to represent 4 tenths of a dollar. When a student gets 10 dimes, he turns them in for a dollar. Students use money to represent fractions. For example, a quarter and a quarter equals half a dollar.
Students demonstrate equivalent fractions using pattern blocks.
Pattern blocks may also be used to represent addition and subtraction of fractions. Use a variety of mental computation and estimation techniques. Students frequently do warm-up drills that enhance their mental math skills. Front end strategies involve using the first digits of the largest numbers to get an estimate, which of course is too low, and then adjusting up. Students use money and shopping situations to practice estimation and mental math skills.