Teaching CPA- Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract

When we teach a new strategy we always get out the manipulatives.  We collaborate and ask each other, "How can we teach this concretely so the students can gain a deeper understanding and show a visual model?"  Once they practice with concrete manipulatives,  they show it using a pictorial representation.  We might use other manipulatives to show multiple representations and to tap into the students different learning styles.  The second picture shows a student showing fractions using a bar model.  After she shows it with a bar model (pictorial), we have asked her to write a story problem to show how it can be used in the real world.  Last we teach the algorithm.  We have found when we take the time to teach CPA the students have a deeper understanding and need less time learning the algorithm.  We also try to tie in a game or activity to reinforce their learning.  They can work with partners or teams.  Many times we put a high student with a low student.  This gives one of them the teaching role and the other a role of learning from their peer. 

 Activities-Here is a fun concrete/pictorial activity to reinforce Place Value.  Each student has a place value mat on their desk.  These are free at  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Barbara-Child/   

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Mats-Ones-Thousands-Millions-Billions-Decimals-FREEBIE-769003  JANCY

The Place value strips are also available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Small-Place-Value-Card-Templates for only $2.00.  I keep them organized in folders (shown in Place Value).