Thinking Blocks

Think back to when you were doing story problems in math class. There were some story problems that probably made  you panic because perhaps you really didn't have a systematic process to figure them out. More than likely you had trouble applying your knowledge because everything was so abstract.

Now think about how your students do story problems in math and think of the approach you use to teach them.  Often time students immediately look at the numbers in the problem and either add or subtract them and then slap a label on it.

Now imagine if you had a step-by-step process to teacher your students how to solve story problems using a pictorial representation. Welcome to Model Drawings!

I have become a partner with SDE (Staff Development for Educators) and am a Singapore Math Trainer,  which truly enhances how I think about teaching teachers how to teach problem solving to their students.

For more information about a Singapore Math Training visit: 

www.sde.com

A GREAT tool to help you get started is to try out Thinking Blocks! This my fan favorite site to help students see the steps that are needed to solve problem with pictorial representations. You are going to LOVE it! They even have new apps out that are FREE!!


The activities on the Thinking Blocks site provide both guided instruction and independent practice.

Guided Instruction - The Tutorials

• Sections cover addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, and ratios
• Videos show worked examples from each section 
• Progress tracking (limited to the current session a data saving option may be available at a later date) 
• Deselecting tracking activates practice mode which allows students to try various problems 
• Students may work on a specific skill or attempt randomized problems in each category.

Independent Practice - The Modeling Tool

• Sections cover addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, ratios, decimals, percent, and algebra 
• Choose from hundreds of built in word problems or enter your own problems 
• Dynamically generated models enable students to check their work 
• Full screen option for use with interactive whiteboards. Check it Out!!

www.thinkingblocks.com

Enjoy!