Elementary Math Education Articles for Teachers - Page 3

"Why do we have to learn this?" is a common question I get when it's time to teach students how to find the mean, median, mode, and range. That question is sometimes difficult to answer.  "You have to learn this because you'll be tested on it during the standardized tests this spring," is a reply...

While you might not think of the Olympic Games as a source for great lesson planning ideas, you can explore many mathematical learning opportunities during the Vancouver games. There's nothing more meaningful for students than to tie their learning to real world events. Some of my favorite teachi...

Teaching students how to use a protractor to measure and identify angles can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a geometry unit. The protractor is a unique manipulative tool that students feel good about mastering. If you don't have a set of protractors in your room, send an email to your coll...

I've always loved teaching geometry!  It's a strand of math that allows students to use different types of mathematical thinking, and gives them a break from the number crunching calculations that are heavily emphasized in other strands. Geometry is more "visual", and gives students a chance to t...

One of the most common complaints I hear from other teachers is, “Many of my students still don’t know their basic facts.” It can be exasperating to see a fourth grader still counting on his/her fingers when trying to add two numbers together – let alone multiply or divide. Let’s face it, learn...