Teaching Strategies Archives - Page 2 of 2

Math manipulatives are an essential part of elementary education. For years my go-to manipulatives were base 10 blocks, fraction tiles, and pattern blocks. I used them with place value, subtracting whole numbers, and pretty much every fraction concept, including when I taught students to subtract mixed numbers.

They did help my students learn, but these hands-on resources caused a lot of frustration. Not only did they take a lot of time to pass out and collect, but half of them would also wind up on the floor!

Oh, and the noise…the noise!!! Can we please make all math manipulatives out of foam? I soon discovered a much better resource that would end my frustrations for good.

In 2018, I was lucky enough to attend not one, but TWO of Greg Tang’s conferences. If you ever get the chance to see him, it will change your teacher-life forever!

It was during his conference that I discovered the magic of teaching with unifix cubes. My mind was BLOWN!

Although I had these manipulatives in my classroom, my students mainly used them during indoor recess. In my mind, unifix cubes seemed more suitable for primary grades, so I never considered them when teaching 4th or 5th grade.

But my mindset changed as I watched Greg Tang teach several upper elementary skills using unifix cubes. They quickly became my manipulative of choice and were a regular tool my students used when first learning a concept.

What Sets Unifix Cubes Apart

Remember my beef with manipulatives I mentioned earlier? Well, unifix cubes are different. For starters, they are SUPER EASY to distribute and collect. In addition, they are simple for students to assemble, and because of this, they are much less likely to end up on the floor.

Since learning about unifix cubes, I’ve incorporated them when teaching prime and composite numbers, multiplicative comparisons, and converting improper fractions & mixed numbers. However, my favorite skill to pair unifix cubes with is subtracting mixed numbers with regrouping.

Subtract Mixed Numbers with Regrouping

The first time I used them with this lesson, I was SHOCKED! My students actually understood what they were learning, and they were having FUN!

We then progressed to solving problems without manipulatives. I was in even more shock as I watched my students solve these problems with ease. This strategy was WORKING!

In that moment, I wanted to give Greg Tang a gigantic hug and thank him for sharing his brilliant ideas. So, how exactly do these manipulatives work with subtracting mixed numbers? I’m so glad you asked!

Let me walk you through two examples.

Step 1: Model with Unifix Cubes

To begin, have students model the mixed number they are subtracting from with their unifix cubes. In this example, they would model 3 and 2/5.

Since the denominator is 5, each whole number represents 5/5. Therefore, three groups of 5/5 are placed on the whole number side, and 2/5 are placed on the fraction side.

This first step alone is an important concept for 4th graders!

In fact, I recommend having your students model 3-4 mixed numbers before you even begin subtracting just so they get the hang of it.

Step 2: Regroup the Mixed Number

Next, it’s time to regroup the mixed number in order to subtract the fractional parts.

Modeling with unifix cubes helps students see why they need to regroup. How can they take away 4/5 when they only have 2/5?

By moving one whole over to the fraction side, they will understand why the 3 becomes a 2, and why the 2/5 changes to 7/5. This is the most difficult step, and unifix cubes make this crystal clear.

Step 3: Subtract and Solve

Finally, students subtract the fractions and whole numbers. Make sure to use a variety of denominators to reinforce how they affect regrouping. It’s also important to practice subtracting fractions from whole numbers. Students often struggle when there isn’t a fraction to subtract from.

Example #2
Watch this video to see another example of subtracting mixed numbers from start to finish.

This is from my Subtract Mixed Numbers with Regrouping PowerPoint lesson you can find linked below.

Subtract Mixed Numbers Resources

Are you ready to get started teaching with unifix cubes? I know you are! The work mat used in the examples is FREE and can be used during your whole group lesson or in small groups.

Full page and 4-to-a-page versions are included. Both can be glued in notebooks or placed in dry erase sleeves.

Click the button to grab this freebie!

Subtract Mixed Numbers Task Cards

Task cards are my go-to math resource because of their versatility. Whether used as a daily warm-up, practice for small group centers, or posted around the room for a gallery walk, task cards are effective and easy to use.

The first set includes images of the unifix cubes to reinforce the whole group lesson. The digital version includes moveable pieces to guide students as they solve!

The second set is less guided without the models. The questions increase in difficulty and have students subtract from both mixed numbers and whole numbers.

The editable PowerPoint Lesson includes printable and digital activities to use in math centers. All of these resources will support your students as they learn how to subtract mixed numbers with regrouping!

What Teachers are Saying

Want to know what other teachers are saying about these resources? Looks like I’m not alone in my love for unifix cubes!

Brittanie: “I downloaded your free template using these unifix cubes and used it with my summer school students this year. They instantly made the connection and understood it better than they did during school. They were all saying things like “this makes so much sense now” or “this is so easy this way”.

Kelly: “This was really helpful for teaching my fourth graders about fraction subtraction with regrouping. I never thought to use linking cubes before. I had my students make the problems with the cubes and then used this product on the Smartboard. It was great! Thank you!”

Amanda: “My kids were so stuck on this until I used this resource! Next year I am going to start my unit with this! Thank you!!!”

Teaching with Unifix Cubes

If you’re ready to get started teaching with unifix cubes, be sure to listen to Episode 26 of Elementary Math Chat where I share 4 additional skills you can teach with unifix cubes. This episode will make you love unifix cubes even more!

Listen by clicking the button or through your preferred listening app.

Until next time,
Happy Teaching!

-Annamarie

P.S. If work mats are your thing (and I hope they are), you’ll want to read this BLOG POST!

Looking for simple ways to boost student engagement? I have one word for you: Kagan. I learned about Kagan engagement strategies early on in my career and have been using them regularly ever since. They are easy to incorporate into daily activities and will instantly boost student engagement. Here are a few of my favorites and how I use them in my classroom.

Kagan Engagement Strategies: Sage 'N' Scribe

One of my go-to engagement strategies is Sage ‘n’ Scribe, which requires students to work together to solve problems. Before I learned about this strategy, I would have students pair up and practice solving math problems “together”. However, this would often result in only one of the students doing the work, which meant only one student was engaged. Most of the time, the student who struggled in math was off-task and not doing the work. The Sage ‘n’ Scribe strategy prevents this from happening. Here’s how…

Students pair up and only have one writing utensil between the two of them. I typically have them use whiteboards and dry-erase markers, but it works with paper and pencil as well. One student is the “sage” and tells their partner, the “scribe,” what to do. The scribe then writes for their partner as they work together to solve the problem. If the sage makes an error, the scribe coaches them and helps them fix the error. Students switch roles after each problem.

Here is a video you can show students the first time you implement Sage ‘n’ Scribe.

I do not use Sage ‘n’ Scribe immediately after a new concept has been taught. Instead, I implement it after students have had a chance to practice the skill and feel comfortable with it. In addition, you can easily differentiate the problems for various skill levels. It’s important the sage chooses the problems since he or she will be the one explaining the solution.

Here is an example of differentiated problems I use for Sage ‘n’ Scribe. I display both question sets and allow them to choose which level they feel comfortable with.

Sage ‘n’ Scribe gives students an opportunity to practice the skill in a unique way while building relationships with their peers. As a teacher, I also use this engagement strategy if I’m working with a student who is struggling. By having students explain their thinking, I’m able to get a better sense of exactly where they are struggling. I’ve even shared this with parents to use at home!

Kagan Engagement Strategies: Quiz-Quiz-Trade

This might be my absolute favorite of all the Kagan engagement strategies! With Quiz-Quiz-Trade, students circulate the room in a hand-up, pair-up fashion, and quiz one another. If both answers are correct, they trade cards and repeat with another partner. If not, students coach each other until they get the correct answer.

Flashcards are great to use since most have a question on the front and an answer on the back. In addition, I turn old sets of task cards into Quiz-Quiz-Trade cards by writing the answers on the back.

This strategy works well as a warm-up activity, review activity, or something to do when you see students begin to lose engagement.

Here is a helpful video you can show students before implementing Quiz-Quiz-Trade for the first time.

Make sure the questions aren’t too difficult and can be solved mentally. That’s why flashcards are the best! Students LOVE this strategy and often ask if they can play this “game” again!

Kagan Engagement Strategies: I Have Who Has

This strategy is a class favorite and one I use often in my small group teacher center. Fun fact–I actually remember using this activity for my very first observation back in 2003, way before I knew anything about Kagan!

When incorporating I Have, Who Has, students pass out a set of cards, such as multiplication fact cards. The first person begins by saying, for instance, “I have 48, who has 7 x 4?” All students look through their cards. The person with 28 says, “I have 28! Who has 5 x 9?” Play continues until all students have read their cards.

In this activity, my small group first completed an I Have, Who Has round with the decimal cards. They then had to place their cards on a number line before they were dismissed from my group. Right away I heard how many students struggled with reading decimals, so I made sure to review that in my lesson the next day.

These are super easy to create for your classroom. Just make sure to create an answer key to guide students along. By doing so, they can actually complete this activity without you. My students love doing I Have, Who Has with a group of friends when they finish their work!

Here’s another video you can show students before implementing I Have, Who Has for the first time.

I recently created a set of digital and printable I Have, Who Has cards for U.S. States and Capitals. This would be a fun family activity as well!

I have who has kagan engagement strategy

Kagan Engagement Strategies: Find Someone Who

This engagement strategy is perfect for a quick review before a test. In Find Someone Who, students circulate the room in a “hand up, pair up” fashion. Once paired up, students exchange papers, answer a question, and sign their initials.

Partners then switch back to their original papers and check their partner’s work. If they agree with the answer, they put a check on that space and go looking to find someone else who can solve another problem. If they disagree, the student pairs work together to solve the problem.

It can also be used as a fun icebreaker for the first week of school. Be sure to make a copy for yourself so you can play right along with your students! Click the button for more info.

If you’re interested in learning more about Kagan engagement strategies, tune in to Episode 20 of Elementary Math Chat. In this episode I share three additional Kagan strategies (Numbered Heads Together, Rally Robin, and Round Robin) and fun ways to implement them with students.

I’d love to hear how you use Kagan’s engagement strategies in your classroom. Do you have a favorite? Which one(s) are you excited to try? Leave a comment!

Until next time,

Subtract Mixed Numbers With Regrouping Using Unifix Cubes