When I look at math strands separated on standardized testing, number sense is typically the lowest strand. Woot Math provides my 5th graders a place to target the lagging skills, reinforce new skills, and really love doing math.
In general, I have found in 5th grade, students have huge gaps in learning regarding fractions. Our 3rd grade teachers introduce fractions but because the concept is so abstract, many students still don’t have a conceptual model of fractions.
About 5 years ago, many 3rd through 5th grade teachers attended Rational Number Project (RNP) training and it completely changed how we taught math. We saw the need for visual models, representing in multiple ways, and the importance of number lines. The RNP curriculum was wonderful but we needed more to help fill in the gaps. Our school had bought a different online math program but it didn’t reinforce conceptual understanding, the placement test put students in the wrong spot, and students disliked it.
Last November at NCTM Minneapolis, I was introduced to Woot Math, which partners with the researchers from the Rational Number Project and immediately signed up for a free account. I also shared it with my 3 math classes, and they were instantly hooked. Since our school is 1-to-1 with iPads, students were able to use Woot Math at school and at home to reinforce skills taught in the classroom.
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