#2395. Pass Back Division

Mathematics, level: Elementary
Posted Tue Oct 9 12:34:44 PDT 2001 by Joy Stovall (jstovall@kaufmanisd.net).
Lucille Nash Intermediate School, Kaufman, TX, USA
Materials Required: 1 sheet of paper/1 pen or pencil for each student
Activity Time: 5-30 minutes
Concepts Taught: The 4 steps of division

This activity reinforces the 4 steps of long division: divide, multiply, subtract, and bring down.

Arrange students in rows of 4. Write a division problem on the board or overhead. The divisor should have at least 3 digits.

The first student in the row solves ONLY the 1st division step, writes the number on the paper, and passes it to the student behind him.

The second student performs the multiplication step, writes the answer, and passes the paper back to the third student.

The third student solves the subtraction step, and passes it to the fourth student.

The fourth student brings down the next number in line, and runs the paper back up to the first student.

Play continues until the problem is finished.

This can be a practice, or a race, with prizes going to the fastest group. Students can rotate positions for each new problem.