Math

We use a four step math strategy as a way to solve our problems, you can find our more by looking at Mrs. Riley's Math Strategy Guide:[[file:Math Strategy Info.docx]]
CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction) is a way of teaching math that looks at how children solve problems on their own, without adult assistance. That's the starting point. To get to know them, what they can do all by themselves, their own way.

No longer do we want to teach problem solving by teaching the students that they must do it a certain way. In CGI instruction, I want to encourage students to find a strategy or strategies that work for them. I always begin problem solving with this question to my students: "Do we all think exactly the same?" The students reply, "No!" I ask them why. The students reply: "Because we have different brains!" My students are so smart, of course they have different brains and therefore they all learn differently. CGI builds on what students already know about math and problem solving and teaches students new strategies that they can keep in their math toolbox.

Many students begin problem solving with using manipulatives (cubes, shapes, beans, etc). The natural progression is then to draw pictures of how students solve problems. Eventually students can do problems in their head. When students can do problems in their head, I ask them to make sure they can tell me how they solved the problem. I also want to see if students can solve the problem in a different way; using a different strategy.

Below are the 13 kinds of problems that you may use as examples so that you can make your own. I have left the numbers blank, so that you may fill them in based on your child's level.

Join Result Unknown Alex had 16 marbles. Thomas gave him 9 more marbles. How many marbles does Alex have now?

Join Change Unknown Kade has 9 marbles. How many more marbles does he need to have 17 marbles altogether?

Join Start Unknown Christy had some marbles. Caitlyn gave her 11 more marbles. Now Christy has 20 marbles. How many marbles did Christy have to start with?

Separate Result Unknown Ali had 15 marbles. He gave 6 marbles to Lee. How many marbles does Ali have now?

Separate Change Unknown Katelyn had 14 marbles. She gave some to Ethan. Now Katelyn has 7 marbles left. How many marbles did Katelyn give to Ethan?

Separate Start Unknown Melvin had some marbles. He gave 5 to Francesca. Now Melvin has 13 marbles left. How many marbles did Melvin have to start with?

Part-Part-Whole Whole Unknown Jesus has 14 red marbles and 8 blue marbles. How many marbles does he have?

Part-Part-Whole Part Unknown <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">JT has 22 marbles. 12 are red and the rest are blue. How many blue marbles does JT have?

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare Difference Unknown <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kade has 23 marbles. Kai has 14 marbles. How many more marbles does Kade have than Kai?

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare Quantity Unknown <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jaime has 17 marbles. Melvin has 7 more marbles then Jaime. How many marbles does Melvin have?

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare Referent Unknown <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joyce has 18 marbles. She has 7 more marbles than Alex. How many marbles does Alex have?