The Next Viral Math Problem?

There is so much negative circulating on the internet and media regarding "those" Common Core Math questions. Yes, they make me crazy too. But sometimes, given the proper context, you sit back and think, "Wow! That is impressive thinking!"  I introduce you to my overacheiving Mathlete, T, a 2nd grader who is a math rock star.

T comes to Mathnasium for enrichment. His teacher offers more challenging work for him so she can meet his needs ("Differentiation" in teacher talk!). He comes to us to do even more!  Rarely does he need our homework assistance, but yesterday was a little different. As a second grader, long division is about two years off for him in the classroom. His teacher recognized T was ready for the challenge - but is keeping it at an age appropriate level so he sees what division really means before getting all crazy with the algorithm you and I would use.  

So our perspective on T's Homework:  He showed us the model he was expected to use and got to work!  Are there 1000 steps to this technique (inject hyperbole)? Yes. Do they need to be color coded? No. Do I love this? Yes! Here's why. T is decomposing a "big" number and realizing how the parts make the whole. He is too young to memorize the protocol for long division, because he will miss the context of why that procedure works.  

• He counts by hundreds and knows eight of them can be used with two groups of 400
• He moves the remaining 100 over to the Tens column and decomposes them into 10s
• He continues until he has used all the parts 

I am impressed that he walked me through every step he had completed so far and with great confidence. He is being supported in a way that makes it fun, engaging and he is eager to try the same strategy with a four digit number! I fully expect he can make that leap with little difficulty. The colors are fun, but it also keeps him organized in his groupings.  Sooner or later he will discover the shortcuts and streamline his problem solving, he will punt on the markers, and his mental math will grow exponentially taking him to the next level.  

Hat's off to a great lesson from the classroom we can support him with at our center!

Over a third of the kids attending our center are kids like T. They can take on the challenge of higher level math. If you have a Mathlete like T, give us a call! We would love to show you how we can provide the challenge you are seeking. 858-335-5686.