Share it out first
Before any symbols, give kids 20 counters and 4 paper plates and say "Share these fairly." Then switch: "Make groups of 4. How many plates do you need?" Doing both kinds of division with real objects is what makes the ÷ sign mean something.
Why it works: going from real objects to pictures to symbols is a core recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.
Try it withDoghouse Division ActivityActivitiesOpen it →























