Math Strategies
for
Kindergarten, first and second grade students
Presented by Lisa Wisinski
and Christine O'Neil
Grade Level Expectations:
* These are the addition and subtraction objectives that your child will learn throughout the primary grades.
Kindergarten
l Rote count to 100
l Identify and name numerals from 0-20
l Count backward from 10- 0
l Order numeral 1 – 10
First Grade
l Exhibit an understanding of relative magnitude of numbers 1 – 20
l Identify and name numerals from 0-100
l Write numerals 0-100
l Count objects accurately in a variety of real world situations
l Count to 100 by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s
l Count backward from 20 – 0
l Demonstrate an understanding of relative magnitude and position of numbers 0-100
l Use the following addition strategies: count on (1,2,3), doubles, doubles + 1, turn arounds and make ten
l Use the count back (1, 2,3) and count up strategies
l Select appropriate operation to solve a problem
l Demonstrate fluency with simple addition and subtraction facts
Second Grade
l Count backward from any number 1 – 100
l Demonstrate an understanding of, and use symbols for, equal, does not equal, greater than and less than.
l Use the following addition strategies: count on, doubles, doubles + 1, double the skipped number, turn arounds and make ten
l Use mental computation to solve problems
l Demonstrate fluency with addition facts up to 12 (Trimester 1) and 20 (Trimester 2)
l Use the following subtraction strategies: count back, count up and think addition
l Demonstrate fluency with subtraction facts for numbers less than 20
Resources:
Books
Math for All Seasons by Greg Tang
Grapes of Wrath by Greg Tang
Rooster’s off to See the World by Eric Carle
How Much Is a Million? By David Schwartz
Games
Racko (number sequence)
War (Greatest number, least number and
Compare 2 numbers)
Addition / Subtraction Bingo
24 Game (1 dot, 2 dot and 3 dot)
4 Way Count Down (add, subtract, divide
and multiply)
Dominoes
Websites
www.aplusmath.com/games/index.html
www.apples4theteacher.com/dot2dot.html
Other
Trimester math pamphlets
Math games sent home by your child’s teacher
Addition Strategies
l Count On: When an addition problem contains a 1, 2 or 3, we use this strategy. Start by whispering the large number and count on out loud the lower number.
Example: 7 + 3 = or 2 + 6=
l Doubles: When an addition problem contains two numbers that are the same we recognize this as a doubles problem. These are memorized facts.
Example: 5 + 5= or 3 + 3=
l Doubles + 1: When an addition problem contains consecutive numbers on a number line, you double the smaller number and add 1
Example: 4 + 5 (4 + 4 = 8 and 8 + 1 = 9)
l Double the skipped number: Students recognize these facts because the numbers are two apart, or a number is skipped if counted in a sequence.
Example: 5 + 7 = or 4 + 6 =
l Turn arounds: If I know 5 + 4 = 9, then I know 4 + 5 = 9
Example: 5 + 4 = and 4 + 5 =
l Make ten: Students need to be familiar with the combinations that make tem.
Example: 8 + 2 =, 6 + 4 =, 5 + 5 =
Subtraction Strategies
l Count back: When the number being subtracted is a 1, 2 or 3 count back.
Example: 7 – 3 = 4 Start at 7 and count back 6, 5, 4
l Count up: When numbers are near neighbors count up from the smaller number.
Example: 8 – 5 = 3 Start at 5 and put up one finger for each number you count up to 8. So whisper 5 6, 7, 8. How many fingers did you put up? 3 The answer is 3.
l Think addition: I know that 4 + 3 = 7 so 7 - 3 = 4 and 7 - 4 = 3
School and Parent Connection
1. Combining Sets and Matching Amount to Number
Materials: Dice (dotted) and number cards 1-12
Place number cards face up in numerical order. Take turns rolling two dice and counting the dots to see who has the most dots. When the child counts his/her total, help the child find the corresponding number from among the numerals and take that card.
Compare numbers. Determine who has the greatest total. Use chips if necessary to determine
As you play, discuss who has the greatest total, the least total, etc. Watch for miscounts and assist as necessary.
2. Anything But Ten!
Materials: 2 dice - 1 with dots and 1 with numbers
Small markers
Players take turns rolling dice and finding the sum of 2 numbers rolled. If the sum is NOT 10, player takes that number of markers. Player may roll again and continue to take the sum of markers until player either chooses to stop OR until player rolls a sum of 10. If this happens, player loses all them markers earned on that turn. After 5 turns count the markers and determine the winner.