Hands-on modeling of the traditional division algorithm: Consider a problem such as 798 _ 6. Model the dividend (798) with base-ten blocks. The divisor (6) tells how many equal-sized piles you want to...

Hands-on modeling of the traditional division algorithm: Consider a problem such as 798 _ 6. Model the dividend (798) with base-ten blocks. The divisor (6) tells how many equal-sized piles you want to make. Start by sharing the biggest blocks possible, and then make trades if necessary. Next, share the next biggest  blocks. Again, make trades if necessary and continue the process until all blocks possible have been shared. Try several other problems such as 458

_ 3, 597 _ 2, 4782 _ 4, and 7365 _ 5. After doing several of these problems using just the materials, do them over again and record your findings step by step. Questions to ask yourself (repeatedly), after sharing cubes or flats or longs or units: