Lesson of the Month for May 2026: Dividing Larger Numbers

Anyone who has ever taught students division knows how difficult it can be for some students to understand how to divide larger numbers.  For May 2026, the Brick Math Free Lesson of the Month will help students learn how to divide longer numbers by modeling the math with bricks. Try it today by clicking here.  You'll also get a new free Brick Math lesson every month after that. ​​

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This lesson, Dividing Larger Numbers, is taken from Brick Math Division. The lesson includes 5 pages from the Teacher Lesson Guide and the corresponding three pages from the Student Workbook. When you use Brick Math, you'll need both a Teacher Edition and a Student Edition.  The lesson starts by modeling a 4-digit number with bricks, using a place value system. In this way, the lesson also reinforces the concept of place value. This place value modeling method is used through the Brick Math Series where appropriate, starting in the Addition curriculum. If your students are unfamiliar with modeling this way, you can give them a few sample numbers to practice how to model place value with bricks, and then start the division lesson.

Since the first problem here is 222/2, students model the number 222 using two 1x3 bricks to show two hundreds, then two 1x2 bricks to show 2 tens, and two 1x1 bricks to show 2 ones. To divide the bricks by two, students break apart the model into two separate groups, each having one 1x3, one 1x2, and one 1x1 brick, modeling 111. 

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The second problem uses the same methodology to divide a 4-digit number, and it also includes the result having a remainder. Modeling with bricks makes the whole idea of dividing larger numbers concrete rather than abstract, which is really helpful for students who struggle with the concept. 

The ​ Brick Math curriculum is divided into 13 separate content areas: Counting, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Basic Fractions, Basic Measurement, Fraction Multiplication, Fraction Division, Advanced Measurement and Geometry, Decimals, Data and Statistics, and Pre-Algebra. 

​Students can start anywhere in the curriculum. Brick Math can be used as a complete math curriculum or brought in as a supplement to help students who aren't having math success with other programs.

​Check BrickMath.com to learn more!

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