Numerical Reasoning Archives - MARILYN BURNS MATH

Estimation General Interest Number Lines Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving

Teaching a Number Line Lesson

In my last blog, I describe how I planned a lesson about number lines. In this blog, I describe what actually occurred when I taught the lesson to a class of fourth graders. Read about which parts of my plan I followed, when and why I made some changes, and what the students did on the assignment I gave them.

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 20, 2024

Numerical Reasoning Silent Math

Silent Math

Have you ever used Silent Math with your students? During this instructional routine, no one talks, not even the teacher. Read more to learn about how Silent Math works and why it’s a staple of my instruction.

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 7, 2024

Division General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Place Value Problem Solving Real-World Problems Word Problems

Mulling about Teaching Division

Teachers often report that division is hard to teach. How can we help build students’ understanding? Read on for an introductory division lesson I taught to fourth graders.

Marilyn BurnsJanuary 18, 2024

Fractions General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

Representing 4/5 and 5/4: A Fraction Lesson

I took the photo of the board at the end of a fraction lesson I taught to fourth graders. The lesson engaged the students with representations of 4/5 and 5/4, using drawings the students had made. Read about how the lesson unfolded and what I learned about the students.

Marilyn BurnsJune 20, 2023

General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

What’s the Difference Between a Number Talk and a Lesson?

This is a question that I’ve thought about for a while. It seems that I embrace the same pedagogical approach with both, but I know there are differences. I think I have some clarity now. Read on.

Marilyn BurnsJune 5, 2023

Addition Assessment General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Mental Math Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

What Were Meeyah & Rocco Thinking?

During a Listening to Learn interview, when asked to figure out mentally the missing number in the problem 90 – ___ = 75, Meeyah and Rocco explained their reasoning in different ways. Listen to how they thought and how I used these two videos for a class lesson.

adminMarch 12, 2023

Fractions General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Numerical Reasoning Videos

What Was Adrian Thinking?

When asked in a Listening to Learn interview which fraction was greater, it was clear to Adrian that 5/6 was greater than 1/4. His explanation, however, was anything but clear. Listen to Adrian reason and learn how I used this video in a class lesson.

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 19, 2023

Addition Assessment General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Subtraction Videos

What Was Rebecca Thinking?

Rebecca solved 7 – 3 by adding, demonstrating the important numerical reasoning strategy of applying the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. Read about what happened when I used the video clip of Rebecca in a class lesson.

Marilyn BurnsApril 10, 2022

General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Mental Math Multiplication Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Silent Math

What Was Nathan Thinking?

In a Listening to Learn interview, Nathan knew from memory that 6 x 5 equals 30. He explained to Rusty Bresser, "So, 6 divided by 2 equals 3, and you just add a zero behind it." Here's a suggestion for using that video clip in a lesson and what happened in two different classes.

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 22, 2022

General Interest Mental Math Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

Answers Are Only the Starting Point

I woke up early this morning, scanned Twitter, and was pulled in (as I always am) by Pam Harris’s Share Your Thinking problem. (Thanks, @pwharris!) Here’s how I responded and what I learned.

Marilyn BurnsNovember 18, 2021

Numerical Reasoning