Are you looking for ways to teach kids to solve math problems that require regrouping? If so, keep reading.
1. Teach the student the ideas of more than, less than, equal, and zero. The use of concrete objects should enable the learning process.
2. Teach the student number ideas and the relationship of number symbols to numbers of objects before requiring them to solve math problems involving regrouping.
3. Make sure the student knows the concept of place value and that problems are solved beginning with the ones column on the right and moving to the left.
4. Give regrouping practice using apps or a hand-held educational device that gives instant feedback to the student.
5. Give the student learning experience s in grouping concrete objects into groups of ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
6. Give the student many concrete experiences to help them learn and remember regrouping skills. Utilize popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, paper clips, buttons, base ten blocks, etc., to form groupings to teach regrouping.
7. Give the student shorter math assignments but give more of them throughout the day (e.g., four tasks of five problems each rather than one task of twenty problems).
8. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to hurry and make mistakes when regrouping.
9. Praise the student for trying and finishing work. Place emphasis on the number of problems correctly solved. Urge the student to see how many more they can successfully solve without help. Get the student to keep a “private” chart of their math performance.
10. Praise the student for correctly solving math problems that require regrouping: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, line leading, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) provide the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
11. Make the student check addition problems using subtraction.
12. Make the student check subtraction problems using addition (e.g., difference plus the subtrahend equals the minuend). Praise the student for each error they correct.
13. Utilize daily drill learning activities to help the student with regrouping (e.g., written problems, flash cards, etc.).
14. Utilize manipulative objects (e.g., base ten blocks) to teach the student regrouping.
15. Complete the first problem or two of the math assignment with the student to make sure that they know instructions and the operation appropriate to solve the problems.
16. Give the student chances for tutoring by peers or teachers. Let the student tutor others when they have learned a concept.
17. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.
18. Try gamifying your math lessons.
19. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:
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