Just Division

This resource from Teachers TV features Anne Farrell, Mathematics Coordinator at St Gregory's School in Sandwell using visualisation, a technique adopted by the school, teach division to her Year Three class.

Establishing that it is possible to group objects, while maintaining the original value, is the starting point of the lesson and the students are taught to perform a physical action when they see the division sign. Students are carefully chosen to demonstrate calculations to the whole class, whilst at the same time improving their own understanding and confidence. Using this technique and cutting cups in half enables students to perform division by a fraction.

After just one week some students are working independently with quite large numbers, most can divide a range of number mentally and others use counters to visualise their thinking. Students are seen working in groups of similar ability where they discuss their thought processes and continue to make very good progress.