Division

  Good Afternoon!  We have just begun our study of division and will be continuing to work with division for the next two weeks.  Our testing day over this standard is set for Thursday September 11th.  In Fourth Grade we do not focus on the standard algorithm, but we do teach this to students.  We want students to have a solid understanding that division is dividing a number into equal groups.  The two ways that we are teaching division is the partial quotients model and the standard algorithm.  On the test, students will be able to solve the division problem using either method to receive credit.



Partial Quotient Model:

This anchor chart shows the partial quotients model of division.  The numbers on the right side represent the amount being multiplied by 4 (for example, 200x4=800, the first number listed on the left and subtracted).  These numbers on the right are all added together to make the quotient.

This is another representation of the partial quotient model. 

Dividing Using Base Ten Blocks
This is the activity that we used in class today while doing the partial quotient method.  Students should select "Divide" under the activities menu, type the number that they want to divide (the dividend) into the box on the bottom to get base ten blocks, then click Divide to tell the number of equal groups they are dividing into (the divisor).  They can check their answer (quotient) by typing it in and clicking "Check".  This an excellent activity that I highly recommend while using either method for students to clearly see how to divide into equal groups!


Standard Algorithm:

This poster lists the steps of the traditional algorithm.  Students should always check that the number left after subtraction is smaller than the divisor, otherwise this means they could have divided by a larger number.

This is the traditional algorithm, shown as a house.  The students put the answers in the attic and the work goes down in the basement.  

 We love the "Teach me How to Do Math" video that was created by a fifth grade teacher and her students!  Pay special attention to the steps: "DMSB" - Divide, Multiply, Subtract, then Bring Down


Khan Academy: The Basics of Division
This Khan Academy video is long, but features a very detailed explanation of division and many examples.

Scholastic Study Jams: Relating Division and Multiplication
Be sure to click on all the vocabulary words to learn their definitions and check yourself with the quiz when you finish the video!

Scholastic Study Jams: Single Digit Division
This features a Step-by-Step tutorial of how to do Division problems, as well as sample questions for practice.

  All items on next Thursday's test will be dividing by one-digit numbers.  Students will also be expected to solve word problems on the test.  Students will need to analyze the word problem to tell what operation they will do to solve.

Key Words for Division Problems:
Ratio
Equal Parts
Every
Average
Each
Out of
Quotient
Divided by

Sample Test Items:

1.  You are organizing a field trip to a museum for 135 students, teachers, and parents.  You need to order enough vans to seat 10 people to a van.  How many vans do you need?

2.  Lauren is bringing in brownie bites for her class.  There are 24 students in her class and she wants to bring brownie bites to both of her teachers.  She will give the students and teachers an equal amount of brownie bites.  If Lauren buys a package of 112 brownie bites, how many can she give each student and teacher?