Encourage the children to learn intuitively. Intuition is a method of learning that is becoming increasingly more important in our technological world. To learn intuitively is to try new procedures by combining common sense with a willingness to ... Read More
Debbie on Time Well Spent
Teacher intensive. This is a term I hear applied towards RightStart Math. A term that can be used in a positive sense and a negative sense. When asked to list pros and cons, this term, teacher intensive, tends to be what you would find in the cons. ... Read More
Dr. Cotter on Subtraction Approaches
There are at least eight different ways to subtract multi-digit numbers. Even though a person has learned one method, it is good to explore other methods to enhance understanding. If a child has an accurate and efficient method of subtraction, do ... Read More
Dr. Cotter on What 6 × 3 Means
Sometimes 6 × 3 is thought of as “6 groups of 3.” However, consistency with the other arithmetic operations requires a second look. When adding 6 + 3, we start with 6 and transform it by adding 3. When subtracting 6 – 3, we start with 6 and transform ... Read More
Quilting and the AL Abacus
I am a quilt designer. I’ve made about 200 quilts in my lifetime, 98% of my own design. I’m currently working on my fourth quilt from someone else’s pattern. I have the directions in front of me as I’m approaching on the final steps of Bonnie ... Read More
The dog ate my homework!
Do you remember anyone ever saying: "The dog ate my homework" when you were growing up and an assignment was due? Well, we had that happen recently. One of our families came to us to get another copy of a worksheet they were working on because ... Read More