Fractions represent a foundation for many more advanced fields of math and science overall. In fact, it’s shown that children’s knowledge of fractions in elementary school can serve as an early predictor of their math achievement in high school. Yet, many students continue to struggle with understanding fractions, and one major reason behind this is […]
The Customary Units of Lengths
In the fourth grade, students learn about the customary units of length. This includes determining the different customary units of length and how they are related to each other, as well as converting larger to smaller units and vice versa. To make these measures of length lessons engaging, math teachers can employ a variety of […]
The Metric Units of Length
When fourth graders learn about conversion and measurements, they usually start with the metric units of length. They become fluent in determining the different metric units of length and how they are related to each other, as well as in converting larger units to smaller units and vice versa. Math teachers can transform these early […]
Teaching Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Once fourth-grade students are confident in their knowledge of the undefined terms of geometry, including planes, points, and lines, they can move on to learning about parallel and perpendicular lines. Math teachers can use different strategies to make these early geometry lessons fun, and today we’ll share a few such awesome strategies that will help […]
The Undefined Terms of Geometry
The undefined terms of geometry serve as the building blocks for defining other terms. There are three such undefined terms, including point, line, and plane. However, even if we don’t formally define them, we can, of course, describe these terms. There are plenty of ways in which teachers can make teaching the undefined terms of […]
An Introduction to Hundredths
Once children learn the tenths, they start learning how to read, write, and model numbers with hundredths. They do so by using numerals and number names, in addition to a decimal point. These early lessons on decimals are often not smooth sailing for many students. As a math teacher or homeschooling parent, you’d naturally want […]
An Introduction to Tenths
Once they attain fluency in fractions, fourth-graders move on to learn decimals. The introductory lessons focus on learning the tenths, which includes learning how to write and model whole numbers with tenths. Learning decimals can be a bumpy road for many children, which is even more important to properly grasp early concepts, such as tenths, […]
Decomposing Fractions to Show Equivalence
Decomposing fractions is one of the most interesting and fun lessons to teach in 4th grade, thanks to the many games and fun activities that math teachers can enrich their lessons with. Yet, it’s not infrequent that educators and homeschooling parents struggle with teaching this topic, especially in cases where children have gaps in foundational […]
Teach Kids How to Find Whole Number Quotients and Remainders
In the fourth grade, students learn how to perform division with remainders. This includes learning how to find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors. To do so, they rely on their knowledge of place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Although this may […]
Teaching Area Model Division to 4th Graders
Learning long-division can be challenging for fourth graders. Luckily, there’s the area model division (4th grade) to the rescue! Also referred to as the Box Method, this is a great method for children to become fluent in long division. So if you’re wondering how to teach area model division to your 4th-grade students, we’ve complied […]
Teaching Multiplication Word Problems (Grade 4)
Students often wonder why they’re learning a given math concept and word problems come in handy to help them realize the practical application of what is being taught. However, teaching word problems can be challenging, both for teachers and students. This is why we’ll share simple tips on teaching multiplication word problems (grade 4) for […]
Multiplying Two-Digit Numbers by Two-Digit Numbers
Once children are comfortable with multiplying two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers, they can go on to learn the multiplication of two-digit numbers by two-digit numbers. There are a number of ways in which teachers can help children become fluent in performing two-digit number multiplications. This article describes simple strategies to do so. Read on to […]
Activities to Practice Multi-Digit Whole Number Subtraction
In the fourth grade, children begin to do arithmetic with multi-digit numbers, including subtracting multi-digit whole numbers. Teachers do their best to engage a 4th grader’s attention while practicing multi-digit number subtraction but may notice that sometimes their mind wanders. If you’re a teacher looking to create an engaging classroom to help children with multi-digit […]
Multi-Digit Whole Number Addition
Children begin adding and subtracting in kindergarten and gradually build their understanding through the first three grades. In the fourth grade, they’re already starting to employ the standard addition algorithm to accurately and quickly add multi-digit whole numbers. If you’re a teacher, you may be wondering how to best guide your students toward mastery of […]
Rounding Multi-Digit Whole Numbers
In grade 3, children familiarize themselves a bit with rounding a given number to the closest 10 or 100 by applying their place value knowledge. In grade 4, they start learning the benefits of rounding to any place value and become comfortable with rounding multi-digit whole numbers to the nearest thousand, ten thousand, or hundred […]
How to Teach Place Value to 4th Graders
Place value is arguably one of the most important math concepts in the curricula of elementary school. As early as grade one, children start to recognize place value in numerals beyond 20. By grade four, students should have developed a solid understanding of place value in higher numbers, including three-digit numbers. Thus, they should be […]
How to Teach Kids Patterns and Sequences
Observing the relationship of number patterns over a given period of time is what allows scientists to make educated guesses, and is at the heart of making mathematical pattern analyses. Understanding patterns will open doors for your students to understand more complex mathematical operations, but also, improve their ability to understand the world. This is why, in […]
Teaching Math to Students With Autism
Whether you are a homeschooling parent or a teacher at a school, if you have at least one student with autism, it’s possible that you’re struggling to fully meet their needs. In fact, one survey conducted by the charity Ambitious About Autism indicates that as many as 60% of teachers in England felt they lacked appropriate preparation […]
Find and Identify Angles in the Real World
How are Angles Used in the Real World? Angles are everywhere! It’s great to have an angle hunt or to search for angles in the real world because students and teachers start to see angles that they may not have noticed before. When you look for angles in objects, you can find patterns and see […]
Money as Decimals
Money is a great way to learn about decimals. Students have learned the value of coins and they have seen prices in stores and online. Money is a real world use of decimals and it’s important to show how it works with place value. After understanding place value with coins, I thought it was […]
Factors and Multiples: The Factor Factory Activity
Factors and Multiples When I taught fifth grade, my school had a meeting with incoming fourth graders and their parents. Some of the most asked questions had to do with math and multiplication facts. I remember telling them that it’s not just knowing your times tables, what’s more important is being able to recognize factors […]
Subtraction Involving Mixed Numbers
Subtraction Involving Mixed Numbers The great thing about subtracting fractions (Specifically Subtraction Involving Mixed Numbers) is that we have the opportunity to cut up the “wholes” into the number of pieces we need! Fractions can be tough because students see the numbers and don’t always think about the value of the fraction. I like to […]
Multiplying 3 and 4 digit Numbers using Area Models
Multiplying 3 and 4 digit Numbers using Area Models Multiplying multi-digit numbers using area not only helps students to visualize the products, but also helps show them how partial products work and add up. This can help students learn and understand multiplication as well as apply it to the standard algorithm for multiplication. In this […]
Solving Multi-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Solving Multi-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Solving multi-step addition and subtraction word problems can help students see the relationship between operations, as well as practice their calculations. When I teach subtraction, I also like to show how students can use addition to check their work! Students often think that they are done when they […]
Comparing Multi-Digit Whole Numbers
Compare Multi-Digit Whole Numbers If students really understand place value, then they can get a stronger grasp on other mathematical operations! I like to start by asking students how many digits are in the universe? And most times students say infinity! Because fourth graders love the idea of infinity. But in fact, there are only […]