From: Linda <lindalob@slip.net>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 1998110716:07:43
Subject: division of fractions

I had given up trying to get students to understand the algorithm of
division because I had been unable to really get my mind around some
good ideas for working through it. Then, keeping a good eye out for
suggestions, I have run across several articles in "Mathematics in the
Middle Grades," the NCTM journal for middle school teachers. They have
had 3 or 4 articles in the past two years that have addressed this
exact issue. I would recommend getting those articles and reading
them. Now that I am back teaching sixth grade I will be using those
ideas with my students. Essentially, it suggests that you begin with
students working on familiar division problems and incrementally
moving toward problems that may be new to them, at least on a
conceptual level.

If you are unable to get ahold of the articles, maybe you would want
to contact me directly. I do not have the articles here with me at
home but could reference them more directly if I knew to bring them
home from school.

Good luck	

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