What I'm Teaching Wednesday

Teaching division to 2nd graders is no easy task!  I think in most programs this concept is introduced in 3rd grade.  But that's neither here nor there.  I knew this would have to be a hands on lesson or I wouldn't stand  a chance to get through to my students.  So here's how we dove into division today!

I made this anchor chart to teach the concept:

I love using food to teach math.  Luckily, I don't have any allergy issues in my room this year so I can have at it!!

I gave each student 10 popcorn papers and a baggie of popcorn seeds.

We practiced dividing the seeds between the allotted number of popcorn papers.

Then, the students wrote the division problems 3 ways on their whiteboard.

Then, the fun part! We popped popcorn!  My favorite part was seeing their faces as they watched it pop.  I think many of them have never seen anything BUT microwave popcorn!

Lastly, we divided popped popcorn and practiced writing more division sentences!

It was a great lesson and the kids got it!!! Everyone understood the concept by the end of our popcorn division!  It doesn't get any better than that!

Blessings to you,

Kris