As much as we teach our students to add and subtract, division is an essential arithmetic operation that also requires attention. In particular, dividing whole numbers with 3-digit divisors can be a daunting task for students, so it’s imperative to provide them with activities and strategies that will help them master this concept. Below are some activities that you can use to teach students about dividing whole numbers with 3-digit divisors.

1. Round it Up

While dividing any number, it’s crucial to get an estimate or an approximate answer to the problem. The first activity that the teachers can introduce to students, to teach them division with 3-digit divisors, is rounding up the 3-digit divisor to the nearest ten. This simplified the whole divisor as a two-digit one, making the division process more comfortable to handle.

For instance, when dividing 2,852 by 394, we can round the divisor to 400 to make it more manageable. Then, students can use long division to find the quotient.

2. Divide and Conquer

Long division is a challenging skill that takes time and practice to master. To help make it more engaging, create an around-the-room scavenger hunt where students solve division problems using long division. Divide and conquer could also be a tag-team activity where students take turns solving each part of the division problem.

3. Use Manipulatives

Some students might find it challenging to master the concept of division with 3-digit divisors. One way to make the learning process more comfortable is by using manipulatives such as base ten blocks. Use the blocks to represent the numbers, and show students how they can divide the blocks up into groups to find the quotient.

4. Practice with Word Problems

Word problems involving division with 3-digit divisors can be challenging for students. Provide them with plenty of practice problems to give them experience in solving these types of problems. Encourage students to underline the relevant information in the problem, reword the problem as a division problem that they can solve, and check their work by using multiplication.

5. Math Games

Math games can be an excellent way to teach and reinforce division with 3-digit divisors. Games based on the classic board game “Snakes & Ladders” or the game “Connect Four” challenge students to solve division problems while simultaneously competing with their peers.

In conclusion, teaching division with 3-digit divisors can be tricky, but using different activities can help students learn the concept in a fun and engaging way. Incorporate games, manipulatives, and word problems to help students better understand division with 3-digit divisors. By making math more interactive and enjoyable, students can learn this essential arithmetic operation without getting overwhelmed.