Categories: All - estimation - strategies - techniques - procedures

by Renee Gogolewski 8 years ago

691

Math 1510 Mindmap

The content outlines essential concepts and techniques for teaching estimation and computation to elementary school students from kindergarten through sixth grade. It emphasizes mental computation, which involves solving problems without using physical tools like paper or calculators.

Math 1510 Mindmap

Estimation and Computation

The goal of this map is to outline everything you need to learn about estimation and computation for K-6. The map provides links to outside resources that define further the concepts being presented. Outside links also provide activities and games that are appropriate for the age specified.

It should be noted that all information used in this map pertaining from section titles and notes is taken from Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, O'daffer et al, Pearson Education, 2008.

All other links are cited in the web address.

Algorithms for Addition and Subtraction

Developing Algorithms for Subtraction

Models can be used to explain algorithms for subtraction in much the same way as they are used to explain addition algorithms.

There is more than one algorithm for subtracting whole numbers. Most common algorithms for subtraction of whole numbers use notations of place value, properties, and equivalence to break calculations into simpler ones. The simpler ones are then used to give the final difference.

Using the expanded and standard algorithms for subtraction

Use the expanded algorithm for subtraction:

245

-18

227

Think:

There are no hundreds

to subtract

Subtract tens: 245-10=235

Take away 5 ones: 235-5= 230

Take away 3 more

ones: 230-3=227 (the difference)

Modeling a procedure for subtraction

Using base-ten blocks to find differences demonstrates that many different procedures for modeling subtraction are also available. Using base-ten blocks models the take-away interpretation of subtraction.

Developing and using paper-and-pencil algorithms for subtraction

Developing Algorithms for Addition

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for adding and subtracting whole numbers.

There is more than one algorithm for adding whole numbers. The most commom algorithms for addition of whole numbers use notions of place value, properties, and equivalence to break calculations into simpler ones.

Using the expanded and standard algorithms for addition

Expanded algorithm for addition:

369

+244

613

Think:

Add hundreds: 300+200=500

Add tens: 60+40=100

Add ones: 9+4=13

Add the hundreds, 613

tens, and ones

Using base-ten blocks model for addition

Base-ten blocks can be used to find a sum and thus provide models that help explain the addition algorithms.

Developing and using paper-and-pencil algorithms for addition

Strategies and Procedures for Estimation

Three Main Types of Estimation

Estimation techniques draw on an understanding of numeration and knowledge of basic facts. Estimation also involves decisions about whether an estimated answer is acceptable for a given situation and which technique should be used to arrive at the estimate.

Estimating an answer

Finding a sum, difference, product, or quotient.

Choosing an estimation technique

Computational estimation techniques

A process for finding a number reasonably close to the exact answer for a calculation.

Clustering

The clustering technique involves looking for the number about which the addends cluster and then multiplying by the number of addends.

For example:

A salesperson recorded the number of customers that visited the store between 9 and 11 A.M. on the weekdays. The numbers - 48, 55, 47, 52, and 53 - all cluster around the same number, 50. The estimated total number of customers that came into the store between 9 and 11 A.M. during the week is 5 x 50 = 250.

Use this technique to estimate sums when the addends in the calculation cluster around the same number. You can also use it in a similar manner for some products.

Front-end estimation

The simplest way to use front-end estimation technique involves calculating with the leftmost, or front-end, digit of each number as if the remaining digits were all zeros.

Use this technique when an estimate is needed quickly and a rough estimate is acceptable.

Rounding technique

Rounding is a process of replacing a number or numbers in a calculation with the closest multiple of 10, 100, 1,000, and so on. Rounding is based on locating the point halfway between consecutive multiples of 10, 100, 1,000, and so on.

Estimating a measure

Finding how much length, area, volume, time, and so on.

Estimating a quantity

Finding how many students, days, lunches, classes, and so on.

Strategies and Procedures for Mental Computation

Mental Computation

Mental Computation is the process of finding an exact answer to a computation mentally, without pencil, paper, calculator, or any other computational aid.

Procedure for choosing a mental computation technique

Working toward a solution

1. Understand the problem.

2. Develop a plan.

3. Implement the plan.

4. Look back.

5. Is the answer reasonable?

6. Is there another way to solve the problem?

Break apart numbers

The break apart numbers technique involves breaking the numbers in a computation into manageable parts to permit the use of the basic commutative, associative, and distributive properties. This technique also draws on a firm understanding of numeration.

Choose compatible numbers

Numbers that are easy to compute mentally are called compatible numbers.

The choose compatible numbers technique involves selecting pairs of compatible numbers to perform the computation, usually involving a basic fact.

Count back technique

Understanding some specific mental computation techniques can help you efficiently and accurately carry them out.

The count back technique is an efficient method when subtracting 1,2, or 3; 10, 20, or 30; and so on.

Count on technique

Understanding some specific mental computation techniques can help you efficiently and accurately carry them out.

The count on technique is an efficient method for adding when one of the addends is 1,2, or 3; 10,20, or 30; 100, 200, or 300; and so on.