The terms development or developmentally appropriate are frequently used, but finding good definitions is difficult. A dictionary defines develop as growing and becoming more mature or advanced. We see physical development in the young child. We know … [Read more...] about Dr. Cotter on Development
struggling learner
Dr. Cotter on Problem Solving
A few years ago while on a shuttle to speak at a math convention, I started talking to a young man next to me. When he found out I was involved in math, he said he could solve story problems as long as someone told him what operation to use. The … [Read more...] about Dr. Cotter on Problem Solving
Dr. Cotter on Division
Long division used to be considered the ultimate goal of arithmetic. An earlier division algorithm was so complicated it wasn’t taught until college. Today some students learn a mnemonic in order to remember what to do when in the long division … [Read more...] about Dr. Cotter on Division
2021 Summer Game #12: Ten as the Minuend
When I started using RightStart Math, I would play many of the games suggested, but my family had our favorites. We would play the same games – or variations of them – over and over, quite content to not explore the unknown games in the Math Card … [Read more...] about 2021 Summer Game #12: Ten as the Minuend
2021 Summer Game #10: Evens and Odds
When my daughter Makenna was in kindergarten, I noticed that she had a disconnect with numbers. Being a math person, I was quite surprised that she struggled with matching the quantities with the name of the number. In addition, she really REALLY … [Read more...] about 2021 Summer Game #10: Evens and Odds
2021 Summer Game #8: One Half
What is something fun to eat but in the summer time can be super messy? Popsicles! When you're a kid, there is nothing better on a hot day than to eat a popsicle. The twin pops were fun because they had two sticks so you could share. Breaking … [Read more...] about 2021 Summer Game #8: One Half