I find it challenging trying to create a math program that is an equal balance of inquiry and exploration without completely abandoning the writing component to math: solving math stories and equations on paper. I try to do a mix of hands on problem solving with partners, in groups and independently, as well as exploring centre games and activities. We start each morning with our arrival activities which are generally math oriented based on what strand we are currently learning. I also try to incorporate as many math centres as possible. These centres are pretty low-maintenance. Many can be completed with number cubes, playing cards and paper and pencil. The ipad centre was my first math tech centre, borrowed from the wonderful Mrs. Wideen.
Many of the games and activities I have in my bins and centres I have borrowed from other fabulous teachers I have met either in person or through endless google searches. Today we explored addition and subtraction in 5 hands on centres!
Centre 1 "Race to a Unit"
This centre came from my fabulous grade three teaching partner. She originally introduced me to this game as "Race to a Flat" where students roll a number cube and trade in their ones for rods as they add up to 100 (a flat). In "Race to a Unit," students do the opposite. They start with a flat and subtract each number they roll. Now they are trading the flat in for rods, and the rods in for units as they try to get down to 1. Great way to introduce borrowing!
Centre 2 "Find the Missing Number"
This centre requires 3 players and 1 leader. We decided that Aces would be worth 1, and Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10. The players are each dealt one card that they don't look at. They hold the card up to their foreheads facing out. The leader calculates the sum, and tells the players. The players look at their opponents cards and try to figure out what number is on their heads by using the sum and adding, counting up or subtracting.
Centre 3 "Roll up to 50"
Here, students start with 0. They roll a number cube and add the number to their total each time. The first person to add up to exactly 50 wins! However, if you go over, you have to start again! The fun never ends!
Centre 4 "Make the Greatest Difference"
We have played this game with addition as well trying to find the greatest sum. We used UNO cards. Students are dealt 4 cards and need to create two 2-digit numbers. The goal is to arrange the numbers, so that when they are subtracted, they are left with the greatest difference. The student with the greatest difference gets a point. Students learned that they needed to create a large number on top and a small number on the bottom. Wild cards were free cards. Students could make them be whatever number they wanted (9's and 0's became popular choices as the game caught on).
Centre 5 "Fact Family Stories"
This activity comes right from Mrs. Wideen's Blog. Here students drew a fact family card, took a picture of it, explained it on the ipad using Educreations. They uploaded their Fact Family Stories to Kidblog.
When I can figure out how to attach documents, I will add the instruction sheet.
These were done well. We had issues with the technology, that slowed things down a little. I had to continually log in and out of my Educreations account in order to save and get a link to their Fact Stories. It was somewhat of a nuisance, and meant that the students couldn't do it independently, but overall, I'd do it again.
Many of the games and activities I have in my bins and centres I have borrowed from other fabulous teachers I have met either in person or through endless google searches. Today we explored addition and subtraction in 5 hands on centres!
Centre 1 "Race to a Unit"
This centre came from my fabulous grade three teaching partner. She originally introduced me to this game as "Race to a Flat" where students roll a number cube and trade in their ones for rods as they add up to 100 (a flat). In "Race to a Unit," students do the opposite. They start with a flat and subtract each number they roll. Now they are trading the flat in for rods, and the rods in for units as they try to get down to 1. Great way to introduce borrowing!
Centre 2 "Find the Missing Number"
This centre requires 3 players and 1 leader. We decided that Aces would be worth 1, and Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10. The players are each dealt one card that they don't look at. They hold the card up to their foreheads facing out. The leader calculates the sum, and tells the players. The players look at their opponents cards and try to figure out what number is on their heads by using the sum and adding, counting up or subtracting.
Centre 3 "Roll up to 50"
Here, students start with 0. They roll a number cube and add the number to their total each time. The first person to add up to exactly 50 wins! However, if you go over, you have to start again! The fun never ends!
Centre 4 "Make the Greatest Difference"
We have played this game with addition as well trying to find the greatest sum. We used UNO cards. Students are dealt 4 cards and need to create two 2-digit numbers. The goal is to arrange the numbers, so that when they are subtracted, they are left with the greatest difference. The student with the greatest difference gets a point. Students learned that they needed to create a large number on top and a small number on the bottom. Wild cards were free cards. Students could make them be whatever number they wanted (9's and 0's became popular choices as the game caught on).
Centre 5 "Fact Family Stories"
This activity comes right from Mrs. Wideen's Blog. Here students drew a fact family card, took a picture of it, explained it on the ipad using Educreations. They uploaded their Fact Family Stories to Kidblog.
When I can figure out how to attach documents, I will add the instruction sheet.
These were done well. We had issues with the technology, that slowed things down a little. I had to continually log in and out of my Educreations account in order to save and get a link to their Fact Stories. It was somewhat of a nuisance, and meant that the students couldn't do it independently, but overall, I'd do it again.
Your math centers sound like lots of fun. What a great way to practice all the number skills you are learning. I would love to try some of those games with my students. We'll let you know how we do once we try them! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading our blog. What math games do you play? What are some of your favourites?
DeleteWe liked looking at your math centers too! We were surprised by how you spell the word centers. Here in the USA, we end our words with -er, never re! Do your students have a favorite math center? We think center number two looks great. It reminds us of a game called Headbandz. We cannot wait to try your centers in our room. --Miss Goldstein's class
ReplyDeleteThank you for looking at our blog. Our favourite math games are 6 more weeks of winter, addition war and goldfish 10. In our country we spell some words differently. Did you know that we spell favourite with a u? We know the game Headbanz too. It is a lot fun.
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