Hi, I am going to start teaching my kindergarten kids addition when we return from vacation. The way the classroom is worked out I will see students in groups of 3-6 students at a time for 10-15 minutes. I need some type of beginning activity to keep my students interes. Can anyone offer some suggestions on fun and creative ways to teach addition? Thank you,.
I do addition stories at first. I give the kids plastic bears and we make up adding stories using the bears. For instance: One day there were 6 bears at the park. One more came over to play. How many are left? I do this a few times and then the kids each have a turn to make their own story up. I do it in small groups.
I have a lesson typed up some place that I use. I'll see if I can find it. I have used it during two observations and both Principals loved it.
I also like using the little red adhesive dots on a hand drawn tree--you can do apples on the tree plus apples on the ground--the red dots are the apples!
JaimeMarie- Do you still have the lesson around? I'd love to have a copy! I'm being observed Monday and am doing an addition lesson! Thanks!!
We use two dice rolled and you add the numbers. Depending on the challenge the children are ready for they can note the equations as the game goes. We also have a lot of success with dominos. We draw them out like flash cards and then add the spots together. Again writing the equation is always ok.
JaimeMarie- I'm introducing subtraction, can I see your lesson also? Or do you have any ideas for subtraction
I have "dot cards" that I make. Cards are made out of blank flash cards-3 x 9 inch size. I laminate the cards with one dot on. As I introduce each number, I add one dot (the self-adhesive ones) to the card. I put an elastic band (the type girls use on their hair) on each card. The children move the band to see how many ways they can make the number we are studying. For example, if the # is 5, there are 5 dots on each card. They move the band to show two dots on one side of the card and three dots on the other side of the band, etc. At the end of the year, I remove all dots except for the one laminated and begin again next year adding dots. We also have an "add the date" page in our calendar books that I am introducing in April.
Look up five frames and ten frames. Then you can even move on to teen frames, which is in reality just two ten frames. It is a visual representation and helps the kids bridge to the key number be it 5 or 10. So they can quickly bridge to ten or make a fast ten, just by visually recognizing it, then the kids do not have to count on their fingers or the number line. I found it to be a huge step up for my 2nd graders, who were insane finger counters. It is an excellent strategy.
Our math series (Math Expressions) has us introduce addition and subtraction through math stories. There are different scenes for the children to look at in which there are multiples of certain things (flowers, bunnies, kids, chairs, etc.). I put the picture on the Smartboard and we take turns telling stories as a class. A good book to tell math stories with is Anno's Counting Book.
Ouch-- this thread is 2 years old. I hope you came up with a backup plan, just in case Jaime can't find it or didn't end up online last night.
