Thursday, February 3, 2022

I Can Learn About Math in Many Different Ways!

We have been hard at work in First Grade as we stretch and build our knowledge in math each and every day. We have just concluded our measurement unit and are gearing up to tackle adding and subtracting numbers through 40. First grade isn’t JUST learning to add and subtract within 40, but we take it even further and break down the value, comparison and concept of numbers. We have already started this learning within the first week of our new unit. 

Today we had the opportunity for Mrs. Schade, our district math coordinator, to visit our classroom and teach us a game to help us build fluency in math.


If you want to try this game at home, here are the directions! In order to play this game, you will need a deck of cards. (Take the face cards out of the deck) To start, turn over two cards and place in the center of the playing area. Then, split the deck in half. Each player turns over 5 cards and places them in front of their space. The object of the game is to play a card from your 5 cards that is either one more or one less than the number in the center of the playing area. You try to do this as fast as you can, because the person that uses all of their cards first is the winner! You must always keep five cards face up in front of you.






















We love learning about math and we love learning about math in MANY different ways. Sometimes we work on our whiteboards, sometimes we partner up and coach each other on the best way to arrive at our answer. Here is a snapshot from the past week as our students participated in Sage and Scribe in order to explain and coach their partner to the right answer. Being able to vocalize strategies and our own understanding of number sense helps us to solidify these concepts. In first grade, we are laying the foundation in math for the rest of our lives! We want STRONG foundations!


One additional way we support math understanding and provide opportunities to practice math is through our Math Tubs. At the end of math, the students turn in an exit ticket that allows them to go on to their math tub. The tubs are filled with extension activities of recent past lessons. This allows students to transfer their knowledge from the lesson to a practice activity and therefore solidify their understanding further. The students LOVE exploring their math tubs and are so excited to work with students from other tables and groups.


We love learning new things each and everyday! Hearing the students talk about their math knowledge, and share it with their classmates makes me smile! So proud of these Firsties!

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