Today we began with a mixed warm up. I noticed he was having trouble comparing numbers. He was focusing on the numbers in the ones place rather than considering the actual values. We discussed place value and I modeled the steps to follow to correctly compare numbers in the tens and hundreds. He successfully compared numbers in the hundreds. Our main focus during the first hour was column addition. I modeled how to solve problems with multiple addends by grouping the addends into easier parts (making 10, finding doubles, doubles plus 1 or near 10s). Max practiced this several times. After taking a break we used the column addition strategy to work on his homework. The homework asked the students to make numbers adding 3 digits from a group of six digits. This was very confusing and frustrating for Max. I ended up using playing cards to help Max focus on two digits at a time. This seemed to help him. Next we took another short break. Max was showing me some of his yoga skills! We played a few rounds of Make-10 Go-Fish. Then I taught him Addition War! After that, we completed parts of his other homework pages. Lastly we worked on counting by 5s. I started by showing him the pattern of 0 & 5, seeing if he could identify and continue the pattern through 100. This seemed new and challenging for him. Tomorrow we will revisit comparing numbers, column addition, addition with regrouping and subtraction. We will also work on the 5's pattern and completing homework,

After taking a few minutes to get to know each other and choose an office, Max and I started on math. Based on the homework and information given by Mom, I created a quick and informal pre-assessment on the white board which covered making 10, comparing and ordering numbers, 3 digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, algebra and place value (for my own information). Based on the results, I focused on basic subtraction and 3 digit subtraction with and without regrouping. To begin I taught Max a tapping strategy. This strategy allows Max to physically see and touch the value he is subtracting. We then applied this concept to numbers up to 9. This tactile approach seemed to lessen his frustration and increase his confidence almost instantly. After that I taught him a few math games including make-10 go-fish, take a card and make a number. He definitely enjoyed playing make-10 go-fish. Next, we revisited subtracting with 4-digits (Max really wanted to work in the thousands). He applied the tapping strategy and was successful. I also had him practice reading numbers in the thousands and ten-thousands. Lastly we worked on multiplication.