Lesson Plan #: AELP-ATH0208
Make the Sum - Math Game
An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan Submitted by: Tracey J. Bowen
Email: bowent@rcn.com
School/University/Affiliation: Memorial Elementary School, Burlington, MA
Date: March 3, 2003
Grade Level: 1, 2, 3
Subject(s):
- Mathematics/Arithmetic
- Mathematics/Process Skills
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Students build addition and subtraction skills by working with numbers in a card game format. Students can play individually or with each other. Students will use number/dot cards to create equations that name whole numbers. Students will apply problem solving skills in the format of a game and share mathematical ideas orally and in writing.
Goals:
- Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems ( NCTM Standards ).
- Understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another ( NCTM Standards ).
- Know addition facts (addends to ten) and related subtraction facts, and use them to solve problems. [2.N.9] ( Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework )
Objectives:
- Student will recognize different names for whole numbers up to 20 (e.g., 6=3+3, 6=4+2, 6=6+0).
- Students will be able to determine addition and subtraction facts up to 18 by using different strategies such as counting all of a set, part-whole, counting on, counting back, counting up, doubles, property of zero, and commutative property of addition.
Materials:
- number/dot card decks (see teacher preparation below)
- paper
- pencils
Procedure:
Teacher Preparation: (allow 30 minutes)
Create several sets of 11 index cards with the numbers 0 through 10 on each card and the same amount of dots on each card to correlate with each number. For example, one index card will show the number 2 on it and two dots. Another card will show the number 1 on it and one dot. Since this game requires a partner, each pair of students will need one group of cards.
Activities:
(5 minutes) Write the number 6 on the board and ask the class for an addition number sentence that will equal 6. (Responses may include 4+2=6, 5+1=6, 6+0=6, etc.)
(5 minutes) Group the students into pairs; distribute one set of number/dot cards and two sheets of paper to each pair.
(20 minutes) Review the directions for the "Make the Sum" game with students. Ask students to find two cards that add up to 10:
- All cards are placed face down in a stack.
- The two students take turns drawing a card and placing it face up in a line that will be shared between them.
- After drawing a card, a student searches the line of face up cards and takes any card that can be used to make a sum of 10.
- He or she must state the sum before taking the card.
- If both students agree that the sum is 10, then they both write the number sentence on their papers and place both cards under the facedown stack of cards.
- Students continue playing and drawing cards until all possible number sentences with sums of 10 have been made and recorded.
(10 minutes) After all student pairs have finished making and recording their number sentences, ask one student from each pair to come forward and write one of their number sentences on the board. The students check their papers as each number sentence combination is written on the board. Students continue until all possible number sentence combinations have been shared. Students turn in their written number sentences for assessment purposes.
Assessment: Monitor the students' oral performance and activity for understanding. Review written number sentences for knowledge and skill. Students also self assess by checking each other's answers.
Useful Internet Resources:
* NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
http://standards.nctm.org/
* Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/
Special Comments: (Extensions or Adaptations): Students may find the sum to other numbers, use more than two cards in their combinations, write subtraction fact sentences, or work in small groups instead of pairs. To change the game, students may keep the cards instead of writing the number sentences down. In this version, the student with the most equations wins the game. Teacher may also substitute stickers for dots or numbers on cards. For older students, the number sentence goal may be changed from addition or subtraction to multiplication, as well as adding 2-digit and 3-digit number/dot cards to the decks for play. In practice, I found this game easy to adapt by giving students a dice to roll and allowing the number to "make the sum" to be randomly chosen that way. To make the game more challenging, add a second die. Students then need to add the dice to come up with the number to "make the sum." If it still needs to be more challenging, add more numbers to the deck so that there are more combinations to solve the problems and write number sentences. Students loved this game!