Math terms
November 24, 2009 by aguirrl
A parent had a wonderful suggestion: a glossary of new math terms!
regrouping/fair trades is a new term we use for the idea of “carrying” or “borrowing”. It helps a child connect the idea that 10 ones can be “regrouped” for 1 ten, 10 tens is a “fair trade” for 1 hundred, etc. In class we use place value blocks. Your child is learning how to draw these place value blocks so you don’t need to have these at home.
Addition strategies are addition concepts of “counting on” by one, two or three. For example, if your give your child a number line, such as a ruler, and ask them 6 + 2, they should be able to easily skip a number and come up with the answer of 8. We are working on being able to quickly do this in our heads.
Doubles are 1+1, 2+2, 3+3, etc. Dominos are a good way to practice this strategy as they can see the dots and count them if they need to.
Doubles plus 1, plus 2, plus 3 are used for harder equations. If a child knows 3+3=6, then they can easily figure that 3+4=7
Bridge to 10 is a strategy that uses 10 as a mile post. Using their 10 fingers is a great way to bridge to 10. For a number less than 10, ask them to show you (using both hands). For a 3, they will hold up 3 fingers on one hand and a closed fist on the other. It becomes very clear to see how many more make 10. Your child may also use a number line (such as a ruler) to figure “how many more make 10″.
Ten frame is another way to make “bridge to 10″ visible. 9 + 6 is made with counters (such as beans). 9 is made as a row of 5 with a row of 4 just below (this makes it easy for your child to see that it only needs 1 more to be 10). The 6 is displayed in another ten frame as a row of 5 with 1 below it. The child takes one away from the 6, adds to the 9. It is clear to see that 9+6 is the same as 10 + 5. Some kids catch on quick and begin to do this in their heads. Some kids need the materials to touch and move in order to master this concept.