Magnetic Division

By Mary Anne Edwards

The mere mention of long division may make your kid cringe. But there's no getting away from it: it's an important fourth grade math skill, and one he needs to know well. The key to conquering long division is lots of repetition and practice, but that doesn't have to mean all worksheets and scratch paper. Make this hands-on game, and explore the fun side of division.

What You Need:

• Roll of blank magnetic strips (with a white surface on one side)
• Magic markers
• Pencil
• Lined paper
• Scissors
• Large baking sheet (or use side of refrigerator)

What You Do:

1. Have your child grab the pencil and a sheet of lined paper and review his multiplication facts by completing the following problems:
   1. 3 x 2=____
   2. 4 x 5 = ____
   3. 6 x 7= ____
   4. 8 x 9 = ____
   5. 9 x 9 = ____
   6. 7 x 4=____
   7. 8 x 3 = ____
   8. 5 x 8 = ____
   9. 9 x 5 = ____
   10. 10 x 10 = ____
2. When he's done, check his answers. If he's a little shaky on certain multiplication facts, it doesn't hurt to try a few more problems.
3. When he’s ready, create the number tiles by writing the following numbers and symbols on the magnetic roll:
   • 2 sets of  numbers 0-9
   • 1 division sign
   • 1 set of numbers 10-100
   • 1 decimal point
4. Snip the numbers into individual tiles with the scissors.
5. Use the baking sheet and magnetic numbers to complete the following division problems:
   1. 250 / 2
   2. 1075 / 50
   3. 6728 / 46
   4. 9258 / 71
   5. 3478 / 62
   6. 8120 / 89
   7. 9671 / 34
   8. 754 / 12
6. Remind him to use the decimal point when needed. When he's done, help him check his answers. As he gets more confident, encourage him to try problems with larger numbers.

Need to practice addition, subtraction, or multiplication instead? No problem: just make plus sign, minus sign, and multiplication signs, too.

Mary Anne Edwards is a freelance writer with teaching experience in Preschool, First, and Fourth Grades. She has also taught Second Grade Title One reading groups.