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.
A Book about Dividing by Robert Froman. A little girl and her three friends solve a variety of problems, estimating first and discussing what to do with remainders. Students play addition max out . One student rolls a die and everyone must write the number showing into one of their blanks. Once the number is written in, it can not be changed.