Scaffolding is an excellent tool to use in reading as well as in math. The Color Coded Multiplication program uses a lot of scaffolding to help solidify memories of the multiplication facts. Color Cues, visual aids, whole-part-whole, riddles with clues are some scaffolds used, to name a few. Even our games are scaffolded! Scaffolds are eventually removed to help the progression of learning.

Included in this post is a great article about scaffolding once published in Edutopia.

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Color is the CCM's "secret weapon". Read more about how color helps one to memorize the multiplication facts.

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Students who had the basic math facts memorized did better on the PSAT's than those who did not have the basic math facts memorized. We need to give more attention to teaching these. Balance out math programs with BOTH conceptual and foundational skills.

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Not having automaticity in recalling basic math facts could be a real obstacle in solving fraction problems or higher math problems. Try these excercises that are set up in a unique way so that you may experience problem solving without this foundational knowledge. Adults and children are invited to participate.It's pretty eye-opening!

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A holiday craft and math lesson all in one. Create a contemporary looking Christmas tree with colored strips of paper. Designed for preschool-first grade. Number recognition, shapes, size perception, positions, hand-eye coordination.

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Return to this blog for more insightful articles concerning math and reading.

 

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Practice responsibility for possessions and the environment with the pencil forest! Use measurement and graphing to see the rate at which the pencils "shrink".

Will 1 pencil last a student for a month? Maybe...with care and conservation in mind. Recycling is involved too!

 

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Posted by Margo Gentile on Jul 09, 2014 under

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Posted by Margo Gentile on Jun 20, 2014 under

No-melt ice cream multiplication is a sidewalk/driveway chalk activity. Comes with recipe for making sidewalk chalk.

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Posted by Margo Gentile on May 23, 2014 under

Nature provides nearly all the tools needed to make a beach bowling alley! Sharpen bowling skills and subtraction skills on a sunny beautiful beach.

 

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This is something different to do for March math (no leprechauns or pots of gold here) Or for any time of the year! These multiplication activities have an Irish theme---without the shamrocks!

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Get outside, get fresh air and excercise, have fun in the snow and do math and reading in a "snow-mazing" way. Practice whole number counting, math facts, positive/negative numbers, rotations, directionality, reading/comprehension, following directions, writing directions, map reading/making in the snow! We've got plenty of snow and time (days off because of snow), so let's make the best of it! 

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Posted by Margo Gentile on Jan 13, 2014 under ,

Make some fraction lessons using this fractional candy cane pizza. Also great to serve as a treat for a party.

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