By Sarah Vera Pershing West Middle School Chicago, IL CMD-IT Diversity as an Innovation Resource Workshop June 19, 2012 Middle School Math Concepts

Which middle school math concepts do students find difficult? Fractions Long Division Place Value And more...

The Trouble with Fractions Why is 1/3 larger than 1/9 when 3 is smaller than 9?

Fraction Help Use visual models such as fraction charts, fraction strips, fraction circles, etc. Relate it to something they love: food or sports.

More Trouble with Fractions How do you convert improper fractions into mixed numbers?

More Fraction Help Help students understand that the fraction bar means division. Have students explain why ¼ is the same as 1 ÷ 4 and show them using pictures and manipulatives.

The Trouble with Long Division Students need to know their math facts Students need to understand place value Students need to remember multiple steps Students need to subtract Students need to understand the concept of a remainder

Overcoming Difficulties Offer daily small groups to help struggling students. Have students teach each other the concepts. Use daily exit slips to identify strugglers. Re-teach some students while other students move on to enrichment activities. Use technology: games, power point presentations, websites, visual animations, etc. Have access to technology at home