Another Way to Say It - 4GT

Grade 4GT mathematics routine

Another Way to Say It

Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP): #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, #8

In this routine, "Another Way to Say It" from Daily Routines to Jump-Start Math Class by John SanGiovanni, the focus is on efficient computation.  It gives students a chance to rethink an expression in a more efficient way without calculating the answer.   

DIRECTIONS:

1. Students should move to the front of the room.  They will need no paper, pencil, or other supplies for this routine. Most students should be able to do this mentally.  
2. Present three or four expressions for the students to examine.  
3. Have the students consider the operation and how they might adjust the expression.  Students do this mentally.
4. Have the students turn and talk and share their adjustment to the expression.
5. As a whole group, have students share their adjustments and record them on the board.  Consider the following questions to ask the students:

• • • How did you think about the addends/difference/factors/quotient?
    • Did anyone think about the expression differently?
    • How is your strategy similar or different than another student?
    • Why was it more efficient for you to think about the expression in that way?
    • Which strategy makes the most sense to you?
    • What is a possible mistake that someone could make trying to find another way to solve the problem?

VIDEO:  Another Way to Say It Links to an external site.

Notice how the teacher asks the students to think about another way to efficiently say the expression. The teacher provides ample wait time and encourages the students to use the thumbs up symbol when they have thought of another way. The teacher called on multiple students and recorded all solutions on the board. Notice that the teacher used some of the questions that this Canvas page suggests but not all of them. The teacher did not use all of the expressions because it was time to start her lesson for the day. 

GOOGLE SLIDES: Another Way to Say It Links to an external site.

These slides include multiplying and dividing whole numbers. Additionally, there are slides with applying all four operations to decimals and adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions. Near the end of the slide deck are expressions with variables and exponents. There is also a template at the end to create your own expressions to solve another way.