How to Teach Division to Fourth Grade Students

Teaching Fourth Grade Students to Divide

Math can be fun if you use several of the teaching aids that engage students with different learning styles - stories, writing, drawing, music and games. However, math needs to be more than fun - children need to understand the math facts and processes.

Before introducing long division, students must know the multiplication table. During fourth grade, they'll build on this foundation when learning the division table. Using any or all of the fun teaching aids mentioned above can't totally replace old-fashioned memorization and drills, including flash cards and timed worksheets. Once your students know the multiplication table, you can introduce long division with 1-digit divisors.

Steps for Teaching Long Division

Hand Out Graph Paper

Have your students use graph paper. It's easier for students to learn correct placement of numbers when their paper helps them see the columns.

Use a Mnemonic Device

Find a slogan to help them remember the steps to follow - divide, multiply, subtract and bring down. You might choose a concept reinforcing phrase, such as 'Doing Math Suits Brains,' or 'Doing Math Seems Brilliant.' Write your saying at the top of the board for marking each time you use a step.

Demonstrate in Detail

Write a problem on the board, e.g., 4284 ÷ 9. Do the problem one step at a time, each time pointing to and underlining the first letter in the slogan word that tells what the next step will be, like this:

1. Underline the D in the slogan, saying, 'Step 1 is divide. We look at the first number in the dividend and divide it by 9.'

2. On the same line and to the left of the problem, write 4 ÷ 9 = 0 and say, '4 divided by 9 equals 0.'

3. Tell your students, 'We write the answer, 0, above the 4 in the dividend,' and do so.

4. 'The next thing we do is multiply.' Underline the M of the second slogan word. On the line below the 4 ÷ 9 = 0, write 9 x 0 = 0, placing the 9 below the 9 in the line above to aid students' visualization of the process. Draw an arrow to a point just to the left of where you'll write 0 under the 4, and draw the sum line under it. The arrow ties the steps you're taking to writing it in the problem.

5. Underline the S in the slogan, saying, 'Now we must subtract. 4 - 0 = 4.' Write the 4 in its place.

6. While underlining the slogan's B, state, 'Bring down means to copy the next number in the dividend by bringing it down next to the 4.' Draw an arrow from under the 4 to where it will be copied, writing the 4 in place.

7. Explain that you'll now start at the beginning of the slogan again, and will divide into the next number. Put another line under the D.

8. Repeat steps 2-7 until you've completed the problem. To the right of the problem, write 'Answer: 476' to visually complete the problem.

Repeat as Often as Needed

Do another problem, again step-by-step, letting students tell you what to say and do at each step.

Monitor Solo Work

Have your students do one problem on the board or on their own on graph paper with your oversight. Some will want to do certain steps in their head, but don't allow that yet. Tell them that soon they may do certain parts in their head. If they write everything out at this stage, it'll help you be sure they know what they're doing - and where they went wrong if a mistake occurs. It'll also cement the process more thoroughly in their minds.

Check Students' Work

Once your students have done a number of problems on their own, teach them to check their work by multiplying the answer by the divisor. Make sure this answer is the same as the dividend.

Allow Students To Do Some Steps Mentally

Once the children are doing these problems easily and accurately, ask them to do the multiplication steps without writing it out. When this has been mastered, they can do the division in their heads. When all of this has been accomplished, your students will have mastered long division with 1-digit divisors.

Praise Accomplishments

Suitable praise each time a student masters a step will encourage the learning process. Praise neat work as well as accurate work.

Reinforce Concepts

Use stories, writing, drawing, music and games to reinforce the math facts for division. Check out the various storybooks, songs, manipulatives and other resources that are available.