4th grade Archives - Page 2 of 3

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

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

Addition Do The Math General Interest Interviews One-on-One Listening to Learn Math and Literature Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Place Value

A Children’s Book, Differentiating Math Instruction, and More

I love incorporating children’s books into math lessons. Since most of my teaching focuses on math, it’s a treat for me to read a book aloud to a class. After the students have a chance to enjoy the story and respond to the illustrations, then I use the book as a springboard for a math lesson.

Marilyn BurnsAugust 31, 2021

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

How We Begin the School Year Is More Important Than Ever

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with Lynne Zolli and Patty Clark on a variety of math education projects. For this blog, we worked together to share our thinking about how Listening to Learn math interviews can serve teachers and students.

Marilyn BurnsAugust 16, 2021

General Interest Mental Math Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

What Are Good Math Questions to Ask Students?

Good Questions for Math Teaching is a Math Solutions book that has long been one of my favorites. It’s a resource that I dip into when I feel the need for something fresh. And it speaks directly to our current shelter-in-place coronavirus crisis as many of us look for ways to mathematically engage students online, children at home, or both. Here are samples to get you started. I’ll continue to post more ideas on Twitter (@mburnsmath).

Marilyn BurnsMarch 17, 2020

Assessment Division General Interest Interviews One-on-One Mental Math Numerical Reasoning Videos

What Was Jonah Thinking?

I’m often surprised by what I learn when I interview students. Watch this 46-second video clip of Jonah solving 100 ÷ 3. Then read how I used the clip in a lesson with a class of fifth graders, and also read the letters the students wrote to Jonah.

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 18, 2020

Angle Measurement Books by Marilyn General Interest Geometry Multiplication Numerical Reasoning

Teaching about Angles―A Hands-On Approach

What am I doing on the floor? Teaching angles to fourth graders. Read about how instruction using Pattern Blocks and hinged mirrors, along with supporting number talks, can help students learn to understand and measure angles. Here I present a (sort of) photo essay to describe what actually occurred over the first three days of instruction. Ideas for continuing the instruction follow.

Marilyn BurnsApril 29, 2019

Fractions General Interest Problem Solving Real-World Problems

What Is 5 Divided by 4? So Many Answers!

Fourth graders solve the problem 5 ÷ 4 in the context of sharing cookies, figuring out how to share five cookies equally with four people. The students came up with six different solutions―all of them correct! (Try and think of what they might be before continuing to read.)

Marilyn BurnsFebruary 27, 2019

Decimals General Interest Multiplication Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Real-World Problems Videos Word Problems

When You Multiply by 10, Just Add a Zero? Horrors!?!

Have you ever asked students to solve 12.6 x 10, and they respond that the answer is 12.60? I have, many times. Students who do this apply a pattern that works when they multiply whole numbers by 10—they tack on a zero to the end of the number they’re multiplying. But then they apply the same pattern when working with decimals. What can we do?

Marilyn BurnsOctober 1, 2018

General Interest

Can 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/6? It seemed so!

I thought I was on the right teaching track using real-world contexts to talk about fractions with a class of fourth and fifth graders. Then a surprise occurred! I’m still mulling over what I could have done. I’d love your thoughts.

Marilyn BurnsMarch 22, 2018

4th grade Archives - Page 2 of 3 - MARILYN BURNS MATH