Dividing by 12 can seem daunting to students who are just starting to learn multiplication and division. However, with the right activities and tools, students can become confident in dividing by 12 just like any other number. Below, are some effective activities to teach students to divide by 12.

1. Skip Counting:

One way to help students remember their 12 times table is through skip counting. Encourage students to skip count by 12s until they reach 120 on a number line, and then work their way back down. They can also do this activity with flashcards, where they call out the answers to multiplication problems that involve 12.

2. Chunking Strategy:

The chunking strategy is a useful mental method for division that students can employ when dividing by 12. In this method, students break the number they are dividing by into smaller parts before dividing them. For example, when dividing 72 by 12, they could break the 12 down into 10 and 2, and then find how many 10s and 2s they need to equal 72.

3. Division Games:

Games are an excellent way to make learning fun and engaging for students. Divide the class into pairs, and give them a race to complete 12 division problems. The first pair to complete all 12 correctly wins. Another excellent game is “Division War,” where students play a regular game of war using division problems.

4. Word Problems:

Word problems are another effective way to help students master dividing by 12. They can be given word problems that involve dividing by 12, such as “If Andy has 36 candies and wants to give 3/12 to each of his friends, how many friends can he give candies to?” Word problems not only reinforce division skills but also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.

5. Technology-Based Learning:

Technology provides several resources that teachers can use to help teach their students to divide by 12. Several educational apps and websites provide online games and quizzes for children to practice their division skills. Encourage students to use these apps or websites during class or home learning for additional practice.

In conclusion, teaching students to divide by 12 requires a combination of both traditional and modern teaching approaches. With the right activities, games, word problems, and technology-based tools, students can master dividing by 12 in no time. Remember, building and reinforcing foundational understanding and skills is essential to the success of students in math, now and in the future.