MathyMama

Why do we have to make this so complicated? 🤔 ➡️ Let me start by saying that Partial Sums is an introduction to adding large numbers. Most students will go on to learn the traditional algorithm in 4th grade(depending on your curriculum and state). So yes, the “old way” is faster and involves less writing. 🌟 But right now we are focused on your student’s UNDERSTANDING, not on their EFFICIENCY. Now, some background. 🧮 For so long, math was about memorizing algorithms, getting to the right answer, and only having one right way to do the problem. 📕But research has shown that this is not the most effective way to help students become mathematical thinkers. Unless you’ve had to help a kid through elementary math recently, do you remember all those algorithms you learned 20+ years ago (multiplication, long division, adding mixed numbers, etc)? 🌟 We want our students to have a well rounded understanding of numbers and be flexible in the way they approach problems. Memorizing algorithms isn’t going to get them there! 💭 The Partial Sums method focuses on place value and the true meaning of each of those digits. It shows students *why* we need to “carry the one”. When they start with Partial Sums and understand how all of the numbers interact with each other, then they will be less likely to make errors like “forgetting to carry the one” when they finally learn the traditional algorithm. ❤️ If you’ve read this far, comment and tell me something you remember from elementary math! #addition #mathhelp #commoncore #learnontiktok #thirdgrade #mathtok