Creative Way to Teach Distributive Property

As we are getting closer and closer to Thanksgiving...... I thought I would reintroduce this blog.  Enjoy!

The following is a great GED Math help activity on distributive property.

Yesterday I was introducing the concept of distributive property and needed to come up with a quick activity to help explain.  I have found that with most of my adult students, and I am sure it it also true with younger learners, understanding and simplifying an expression that contains the Distributive Property is difficult and confusing.  This is especially true for those prepping for the the GED Math test.

So, I decided to try to come up with a way to make the lesson more meaningful and concrete.  Here is what I did.... and not only did my students enjoy the activity.... but I think they GOT IT!

1.  I showed an example of distributive property on the overhead.  i. e.    4(x+2)

2.  I explained how to determine if it truly was a distributive property problem.  You have a set of parentheses, inside the parentheses you have two terms, the terms are separated with either a "+" or "-", and there is a term directly on the left side of the parentheses.

3.  Once they 'kind of" understood the components of a distributive property problem, I created a "nonsense" example for them.  Because we are so close to Thanksgiving, we decided to "distribute" 2 turkeys to Sally and Peter.  I set up the problem as follows:

2t (Sally + Peter)

The result was 2ts (two turkeys for sally) + 2tp (two turkeys for peter)>>>>    2ts + 2tp

We did several examples where we distributed "real" items.  After about 3 examples they began to understand....

4.  Once the students understood, I then took out the second person and added a number instead.  We distributed 3 pumpkins (3p) and practiced the idea of multiplying the factor by the sum of the terms inside the parentheses

3p (s + 2)  >>>  (3p)(s)  +  (3p)(2)  =  3ps + 6p

Sally got three pumpkins + six pumpkins

Tomorrow we will continue to practice using some great GED Math Worksheets.

GED Algebra: Order of Operations (PEDMAS)

It is important that you understand the order of operations. If you think back, you may remember the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". First complete everything within brackets or parentheses. Second, simplify exponents. Third, do any multiplication or division from left to right. Finally, do any addition or subtraction from left to right.



Example: 4+6x2=?

First multiply 6 and 2. 

Add 4 to the product of 12.

Your answer is 16. Can you come up with an example?

GED Math Vocabulary- Whole Numbers

The following are 20 GED  math vocabulary words that GED students need to know.  They all focus around "whole numbers".  For worksheets to help learning and reinforce this vocabulary, go to worksheetsdirect.com



addition- the process of adding two numbers to get their sum

difference- the difference between two numbers is what you get when you subtract one from the other

division- a basic arithmetical operation determining how many times one quantity is contained within another

estimate- a rough guess at the value of a number

interval- in math, the space or distance between numbers

multiplication- the basic arithmetic operation of repeated addition

number line- a line on which each point represents a real number

place value- within a number, each digit is given a place value depending on it's location within the number

product- the result of multiplying two numbers

remainder- the number left over when one number is divided by another

subtraction- a basic operation of arithmetic in which you take away one number from another

sum- the result of addition

digit- in the decimal system, one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

period- each group of three digits in a series of numbers, starting from right to left

rounding- the process of approximating a number to a nearby one

comparing- to note the similarity or dissimilarity between two numbers

add- combine quantities, find a total

subtract- find a difference, take away a quantity, "how much left", "how much is left"

multiply- to put together a number of equal amounts to find a total, add the same number repeatedly

divide- to put together a number of equal amounts to find a total, Add the same number repeatedly

more GED Math Worksheets

GED Math Help- Small Group Instruction

One GED math help concept I taught this week was on reducing fractions.  Some students had difficulty understanding the idea of divisibility rules (for 2, 3, 5, and 10).  We went through many problems and many of them were still confused. 

I taught the concept of finding common factors.... and choosing the greatest common factors.... or at least using a common factor.  They were still confused.

Until one student said," When I was in school (way back when...) they told us to think about splitting the number in halves or thirds."

That the students understood. So we practiced the idea of "can we split BOTH numbers evenly in half, in thirds, in fifths, in tenths.  They finally understood reducing AND they understood that in simplifying a fraction such as 4/6 they were indeed dividing it by 2/2.

Be open to what your students have to say.  This "method" of teaching reducing fractions is something that I know I will use again.

reducing fraction worksheets

GED Math Help

It's been three weeks into school and busy!  Seems there are just as many "out of work" or "don't have a diploma" adults visiting our Center.  All are anxious and all just want to learn the skills and either move on or pass the GED Math Test.

This Fall I am focusing again on small group math instruction within a lab environment.  Why you might ask?  That is a good question.  The answer is two-fold.

First, it is a matter of money.  As we all know, money for education keeps getting tighter and tighter.  I am trying to be creative in how the Center is being used and hoping that offering individual and groups of instruction will be appealing to many students.

Mostly, though, it is because I have found that there are a large group of individuals who like the group setting.  They get direct instruction and then have the time to practice skills on their own.

For math, I have been using worksheets from www.worksheetsdirect.com   Its a great site.  I included an image below of a sample worksheet. 

GED Math Help: Adding Mixed Numbers

GED Math and School Again!

It is hard to believe that it is that time again. Back to school and back to thinking about finishing your GED.

Again, as I survey my students.... I find that the GED Math Test is one of the hardest and most challenging!

I have been busy putting together GED math worksheets and other tools to help students pass the GED Math Test.

They are collected on Worksheetsdirect.com

Check it out.... and if you like what you see "Like" Worksheetsdirect on Face Book.  As new worksheets are generated and added to the site, it will be posted on Face Book.

Enjoy and good luck!

GED Math & Subtracting Negative Integers

Perhaps one of the most difficult concepts for learners to comprehend is negative integers. If you show them a problem such as 7-4, they know that the answer is 3.

But if you give them 7-(-4), they may still think the answer is 3.

So what is the best way to teach subtraction of integers, both positive and negative?

I have found that if you teach the basic method of "adding the opposite", that will help.

Example: 7-(-4)= ??

7 + (4) = 11

Step one: Keep the first integer 7
Step two: Change the negative sign to a positive sign
Step three: Change the sign of the second integer. In this case, The opposite of negative four is positive four.
Step four: Add the two integers.

To anyone and everyone who has been following this blog, have a very merry Christmas and and a great 2010. It is my wish that everyone who doesn't have a job.... be able to get a job... and to those who are struggling... you get some relief.

Have a great 2010!

GED Small Group Math Instruction

Many students can successfully prepare for the GED Tests on their own. But there are equally as many, if not more, that require at least some instruction.

I have found some success in small group math instruction. It is, in a sense, a GED Math support group. There is a group of students that meet 3 mornings a week for about an hour and a half. We work through the Steck Vaughn GED Math book. Most days there is about 3-4 students. New students join on a regular basis. Some do not come every day, but for those who are able to... it really pays off. Two students have recently taken their GED math tests, and both passed with scores in the 500+.

If you can, join or start your own GED Math Small Support Group. Have a "math conversation" every day and have fun!

Remember.... math can be fun!

GED Summer Help

Just because it is June, does not mean that you should slack off studying for your GED. In fact, it may be the best time. Why?



Teachers are off work. Many will be looking for other things to do and tutoring/mentoring a GED candidate for their GED tests may be just what they are looking to do. Plus it will look great on their resume. Call a teacher you know..... today!



Learning Centers typically have fewer students during the summer months. Therefore, you will get more one-on-one attention. Check the schedule of your local GED Learning Center and get signed up today!



Even though it is summer, your local GED Testing Center should be continuing to offer the GED testing. Call today and schedule an appointment.



Good luck!!

GED Math Anxiety

Have a student who just cannot pass that GED math test? Have they taken the test more than once and failed? Now they are scared to even try.... but they have to pass so that they can get the job to support their family.

If you have a student who struggles with GED Math, or you are a student struggling with GED math, you are not alone!

Again, I am working with a young adult who has failed the GED math test twice. Although she is determined to continue studying and attempt it again... she is a bit scared. She knows that if she takes it again this year, and fails again, she will have to wait until next year, 2009.

When she returns to the tutoring center, our first step will be to re-evaluate where she is mathematically.

Then we will go from there. In the meantime, I will be encouraging her and letting her know that she is not alone.

There are many GED candidates who struggle with the GED math and have taken the test more than once.

GED and the older GED Candidate

Have an older student who is struggling to get their GED? It is my experience that many times they may take longer to "learn" some of the material. Of course this depends on what their job/s have been since high school. If their job requires alot of reading, writing or math..... great! If not they will need to prep.

As jobs get tougher and tougher to find, more employers are requiring a high school diploma or GED. Also, older students who in the past did not need a diploma to get a job, are now finding that they cannot get hired without one.

Be patient with them..... guide them...... also check to see if they might qualify for accommodations.

GED Math Dictionary

Did you know.....

is, is equal to, equals, the same MEANS =
of, the product, times, multiple, multiplied by MEANS x or ∙
add, more than, plus, sum, increased by, added to, more MEANS +
subtract, less than, minus, difference, decreased by, less MEANS -
divide, divided by, the quotient MEANS ÷
double, twice, twice as much MEANS 2x or 2 ∙
half, half of, half as much MEANS ½ x or ½ ∙


A great math dictionary to use for preparing for the GED test is Usborne Illustrated Math Dictionary. It is a great bargain and less than $15.

GED: General Education Diploma

GED stands for General Education Diploma. The GED is a battery of five tests which test your knowledge in reading, math, writing, science, and social studies. Depending on where you are located, you may need to take the entrie battery of GED tests in one or two sittings. Other places may allow you to take one test at a time.

It is important that you contact your local official GED Testing Center to fnd out the specific GED requirements for your location.

GED Reading Level Recommendation

It is important to prepare for the GED using the appropriate learning materials. This means materials that are appropriate with your current skills. It has been my experience that if you have a reading level of at least 10th grade, you should not have any problems with the Language Arts, Reading, Science, or Social Studies tests. If your reading level is lower than 10th grade, consider purchasing Pre-Ged study materials.

GED Orientation

Many states will require a formal GED orientation session prior to testing. In addition, some states may require classes or have other requirements. It is important that you contact them to see what requirements are specific to your area.

Super Savings on GED Math Books

I don't usually do this, but this is such a great deal, that I wanted you to know about this GREAT GED sale that I am having. If you are tutoring students, or you are currently studying for your GED, then this may be the sale for you.

You may wonder why I am reducing inventory. I am getting rid of some of my GED books because I plan on bringing in other GED materials and I need the space!

SOLD OUT