Math Assessment

I chose to work with my 5^th grade student on division. We did a KWL chart to see what she knew about division. She knew that division is the opposite of multiplication and that it has a quotient, dividend, divisor, and remainder. She also knew about denominators and numerators. She wanted to learn how to divide larger numbers like two digit divisors in long division, so I decided to work with her on this because they were going to start on a lot of division in class for Math. I asked her to work a few problems for me, so I could see how she worked through the process. We started off with a simple one such as 64/8, so I could see what she knew. It took her a while to figure this out because she has to start from the beginning. For example, 8x1=8, 8x2=16, 8x3=24, etc. We also did 21/3, 54/9, and 35/7. She knows how to divide and she can do it, but it just takes her some time.  

            After doing the interview and watching her work the problems I decided that she needs some work with her time tables to help her know them off hand instead of counting on her fingers like she does most of the time. I also found out that she needed help with just simple division instead of larger division, such as double digit divisors in long division, like she wanted to learn how to do. I came up with random division problems, such as 72/9, and worked with her a few times at the back table one on one. We also worked on her multiplication. We used dry erase boards and markers. We worked on this a few times one on one. She improved tremendously. She is getting a lot better at knowing her multiplication tables. Instead of starting from the beginning, she can actually start in the middle now. She has started thinking about what number she can multiply to get close to the number instead of starting with one, which is really good because that is what she will be doing when the class gets to long division with double digit divisors.

            She still needs a lot of help with this, but it is a step in the right direction. I would recommend extra weekly homework to help her practice and get better with this, after school tutoring, or just one on one time with the teacher once or twice a week during PE. She does not need to get any further behind than she is. I mentioned this to the teacher and she is going to continue working with her.