Math Fact Fluency

In the primary grades, it is so important for students to gain math fluency.  It will help them the rest of their lives.  But some get it quick and others need LOTS of practice throughout the school year and beyond.

One thing that I think promotes fluency and my students just love is our daily math password.  Every day I write a problem on the board and as the students come into the classroom they whisper it in my ear.  Sometimes I help them with the problem by suggesting a strategy (count on).

Math Code, Password

Another whole group game that excites my students every time is what some call the Snowball Game.  I have my students sit around the carpet facing out with whiteboards on their laps.  When I say "GO!", they grab two snowballs, open and add.  This game has so many uses...and it's FUN!

One other thing that we do to gain fluency with math facts to 20 is practice on our desks with dry erase markers.  The kids are so quiet on the days that we do this which is an added bonus!

 I also  try to use objects and problems that the students might find in the real world.  I want them to see math is important and is useful.

I created a pack of no prep activities to print and use at any time that my students need more practice with fact fluency.  This pack is great for whole-group, independent practice, centers or even homework.  These activities are a fun way to help support all learners.

 No Prep - Addition and Subtraction Within 20

At the end of the day, I just want my students to go to the grocery store and be able to do mental math and not be the person counting on their fingers!

Adding and Subtracting with Place Value

I have new math centers for Adding and Subtracting with Place Value!  

You can get your free copy here----> Adding and Subtracting with Place Value

Subtraction Freebie

Here is a quick center I whipped up to support the strategies we have been learning to subtract :)

 

Subtraction Strategies Circus

Enjoy!

Jen

 

 



Addition/Subtraction Center FREEBIE!

The other day I showed a problem my students had been solving, There's three chickens and 2 horses.  How many legs in all? It really pushed their thinking because they had to know more than one thing: the animal and how many legs the animal had.  I mentioned that they all started by adding the animals and then slowly came to other realizations.

 

 

 

So as I have been thinking about my next bunch of centers I thought that I would like to continue this kind of thinking.  Here is my freebie: How Many Legs in All?

 

The students will drop 3 pencil cap erasers onto the board.  Draw the three animals the erasers land on.  Add up the amount of legs (three addends).  Then take one animal {and their legs!} away.

 

This was also my first foray at making my own set of graphics :)

 

I hope you and your students enjoy!

Jen

 



Subtraction! {With loads of FREEBIES}

So much of first grade math is learning how to add and subtract.  In my class, we just finished our introductory unit of adding so now we are on to subtraction.

Here is a free activity to get you started too!

Spin Into Subtraction

Here are some of my old freebies for subtraction!

This is a game to use with Candy Land.  The students pull a math card and if they can find the missing number in either an addition or subtraction problem then they get to select one of the game's card and move that amount of spaces on the board.  There will be more of these to come, so check back for them!

Candy Land, What's Missing- Addition and Subtraction

Spin, Subtract and Color, provided two spinners for each student. I have mine labeled 1 & 2.  On 1, I have numbers 11-18 and on 2, I have numbers labeled 0-10 (purchased at Dollar Tree).  The students spin and subtract and then color the difference.

Shinning Stars Subtraction- Each student needs a playing mat (several are included), cubes, a die and a recording sheet.  Directions are attached.

Place Value Subtraction, Whole Part Part

Hog Heaven: Adding and Subtracting with a Number line

Subtraction Tables

Subtracting with Zeros

No Place Like tReE!

The Math Name Game

No Place Like tReE!

I'm back with more Common Core goodies!!  Today I stuck with Operations & Algebraic Thinking.
As I help with curriculum design for my county I'm continually reminded about the increased writing and having students provide evidence.  I truly see the value in both and included it in this math center.  Today during lunch a bunch of teachers from different schools were commenting on the "Paper Problem"!  All of our schools have some sort of paper restriction.  With that in mind I included journaling into this center.  I know our firsties need LOTS of support so I made headings and an example journal page....I also included language stems and helpful words!!  I hope you find it useful in the coming year :)

No Place Like tReE!

Adding and Subtracting with a Number Line

Inspiration is all around you!  This game was inspired by my sister-in-law's father, Randy, who loves his Harley!  I saw the graphic and knew I had to create a game with it....although it took me a bit to figure out what and how. 

The students select a card, use their number line to solve and move their playing piece on the Hog Heaven board.

Hog Heaven: Adding and Subtracting with a Number line

Enjoy!