Click Here For Free Blog Backgrounds!!!
Blogaholic Designs

Sunday, February 20, 2011

2+2=22???

When it is time for the babies to begin adding numbers, they unfortunately revert back to thinking about how the numeral looks. For example, if I make the mistake of saying one and one is...? Instead of one plus one is...? They automatically say, "11!" It makes me remember that the way I phrase my vocabulary is so important in my job. Over the course of the next few weeks, my kindergarteners will be learning how to combine numbers; adding them by way of pictures, manipulatives, numerals, and addition stories. On Friday, we did an activity to introduce them to this new concept.

 We began by using blocks to represent objects in a story: "I had 7 blocks in my drawer. My brother found 2 more blocks in his drawer. How many blocks did we have in all?"


 The next step was to write the number sentence. We began this after we had represented several different scenarios with the blocks. (Magic trick: dry erase markers WILL easily wipe off of student tables with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and they think they are getting to do something spectacular when they get to write on the table!)

The final step of our lesson was to apply what we could now do on paper! They did great! I really love it when they begin transferring all of their newfound knowledge to do 'hard' work...which we sometimes refer to as first grade work...and then they really feel as smart as they are!!!

Blogger Templates

2 comments:

Joyful Learner said...

I love the writing on the desk idea! Thanks for linking to our Monday Math Links!

Unknown said...

I found your blog over at picket fence (I'm on there too). I am so happy I found you as my middle daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall and my older boys, twins, do alot of work on the kindergarten level. What a wonderful blog with great teacher insights! stop by and say hello if you want! cheers, katie

Post a Comment