[hypnotize811]

I teach third grade and would like a fun way to teach division. I have been using things I have done for years, and want something new, that will spark my students' interests. Please help!

[mooba1]

We just started division today---if I come across anything wonderful, I'll let you know!

[rm206]

I'm not sure of what type of division you're teaching but this is for long division. Each child gets a blue, red, green and black colored pencil. Choose whatever color you want for each step. For example: 22 divided by 3 (sorry don't have the symbol)
Divide-blue
Multiply-red
Subtract-green
Bring Down-black
I hope this makes senses, each step is done in the corresponding color.

[eliza4one]

We play man overboard to first introduce the concept.

I use either rugs or hoola hoops, spread around the room.

I play music, and when the music stops, they each have to find a boat. BUT....there has to be an equal number on each boat.

We always begin by counting how many people are swimming and how many boats we have. They are to keep that number, as well as the number of 'boats' in their heads while they swim around, and try to be figuring out how many will fit on each boat.

So, if you have 20 kids, you can use 5 boats or 4 or 2 or 10 or 1. I vary it up (boats, and people). Sometimes, it's all boys swimming. Other times, it's all girls.

Also, when I get ready for remainders, the 'man overboard' is the remainder, as there aren't enough boats.

I model what it looks like as an equation on the board.

[hypnotize811]

Thanks. I will try this.

[CountryJo]

kidsnumbers.com looks like a real possibility for long division. It tells the kids step by step what to do and all they have to do is fill in the numbers. I plan on taking the kids to the lab tomorrow armed with pencil and paper to work on their long division. It doesn't just stay at a low level so beware. The game is Snork's Long Division. The music is catchy so you might want to mute it or turn it way down or they'll be dancing in their seats. I just happened to see this and hope it helps. Looks like lots of other neat stuff here as well.

[LindaR]

...The Doorbell Rang. The students use their whiteboards and we draw the kids and the cookies that need to be divided up between them while I read the book. This intro activity always excites my students, and they try to guess how many cookies each kid will get before I turn the next page. Also, after each page is read, I have the students write the actual division problem on the side of their board...they begin to see a pattern and connection to multiplication.

The story is something many of them refer to when faced with grouping problems.

When I'm doing long division, I have the kids stand up and do a body chant with the Divide (fists pounding each other), Multiply (arms crossing), Subtract (hand zooming across), Bring Down (body dive).


I really like the other ideas posted here. After Thanksgiving break, we'll be moving towards long division, so it'll be great to try something new!

LindaR