Journal 2 blog
In the article that I read by Bray and Maldonando, the auhors discuss the importance of math facts in a rather different way. The way that they explain the process of number strings is in comparison with show and tell and memorization. Rather than recalling the facts and telling students how to solve the equation the way that you taught it, the concept of number strings challenges the students way of thinking. Number strings can be done in numerous ways, for the chart that was represented in the article provides the reader with a few examples. For example, the students can create this 'base 10' mindset, where they are given two different whole numbers and re-write in a way that represents how they got to ten and adds it to the original number that is left over. Either way this prevents students from simply saying "I used my fingers," and challenges their prior knowledge in ways that still allow them to get the right answer.
Thanks, Kirsten!
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