Improve Whole Number Skills

Learners must have an understanding of whole numbers to be successful using arithmetic operations to combine whole numbers. A prerequisite skill for using this program is that learners know the names of numbers and how to count. You can use Math Skill Builders to help reinforce these other early whole number skills:

Learners can hear the names of the numbers and symbols used in math problems. In Tutor, turn on Talk and the demonstration says the name of each number and symbol, as it appears on the screen. You can also give learners a chance to hear the names of symbols by reading the problems aloud in Practice and Assignment.

Learners can practice recognizing the names of symbols. In Assignment, print a set of problems. Read a problem randomly from the page. The learner can point to the problem that you read to practice listening, and recognizing the names of numbers.

Learners can practice saying the names of numbers and symbols. Learners can read the problems and solutions aloud in any of the activities. In Tutor, learners can practice saying the words to describe each step, and then listening to the demonstration to make sure they used the same words for each number and symbol.

Learners read numerals in all the activities in the program. They learn to read and recognize the numbers on the screen as well as the numbers on the keyboard.

Learners practice writing numerals and symbols. In Assignment, learners write the solutions to the problems on the Assignment printout.

Typing numbers at the computer requires learners to be able to read the number on the keyboard. Throughout the program learners learn to recognize, and choose, or type, numbers to appear in problem solutions.

In the Tutor activity learners see problems solved with the place values named. The Tutor identifies ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, and hundred thousands. The Tutor activity demonstrates how to solve problems by putting digits in the correct places in numbers.

Use guided solutions to show placement. When Guide Student Solution is on, the program guides the placement of numbers in Diagnosis and Practice. This assures that learners put numbers of the same place value in the correct places. When students have successfully learned how to put numbers in the correct places with guided solutions, they should try to solve problems with Guide Student Solution turned off. Without the solution guided, they practice putting numbers in the correct places in solutions independently.

Use a grid to ease placement. Some students may have difficulty placing numbers by lining them up with other numbers. To ease this problem, Math Skill Builders provides a Grid option in Diagnosis and Practice. By using a grid, students can more easily place numbers in the correct rows and columns.