Long division has been the bane of my educational journey since hitting 5th grade… I don’t know if you know this about me but my family moved from England to America in the 5th grade, and I don’t know what happened in learning long division, but somewhere in the move, I missed out on a valuable lesson.
But I also believe this challenge has led to a deeper understanding of long division, because when I finally put my mind to it I had to figure it out my way, with no support from teachers or peers, just me vs the numbers.
Understanding the Basics of Long Division:
Before diving into long division students must master
Simple division of one digit by one digit
and
Powers of 10
because all of these skills play a part in long division.
Creating Anchor Charts:
One strategy I've found to navigate long-division lessons is by having students participate in the creation of an anchor chart that will be referenced throughout the entire division unit. To introduce the chart, I kick off with a Notice and Wonder Lesson. Displaying the anchor chart without any numbers, I host a class discussion, encouraging students to share their observations and questions about the chart. This interactive approach not only engages students but also sparks curiosity and sets the stage for a deeper understanding of division. As the unit progresses, the anchor chart becomes an invaluable reference tool. When students encounter challenges, instead of simply providing solutions, I guide them to refer back to the anchor chart, empowering them to identify and overcome specific stumbling blocks.
Utilizing Division Frames:
The process of division has a lot of steps, not only are students being asked to learn each step but also keep their work organized in a system they have never used before. I find it helpful to bridge the gap between learning the skill and having complete independence with a Long Division Work Frame. Providing students with a place to put their work that more closely matches the example (anchor chart) has been beneficial in helping my students master the Long Division Process.
Introducing the Think Box
When I teach long division I notice how students can get a bit tangled up with multiplication facts during long division. Switching between multiplying and dividing causes so much confusion, especially as kids are just starting out. So I opt to teach my students to take some steps to prepare before dividing. I ask them to make a think box. The think box is like our secret weapon, a simple yet effective tool that helps students separate the multiplication and division processes.
I have the students create a box on the side of their paper, or provide one on their work frame where they jot down some referential multiples. For example, if they are dividing 275 by 5 I ask them to create a five times table, not with all the multiples, but some key ones to help them find the exact ones they need. Like the example below:
Learning long division doesn't stop at understanding the theory; hands-on practice is essential. Offer interactive activities and games that make the learning process enjoyable. Additionally, provide downloadable/printable resources for division frames, anchor charts, and think box templates to facilitate at-home practice.
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