Math Workshop Updates

This math unit develops students' ideas about counting and quantity, place value, and the structure of the ten number system, the meaning of operations with whole numbers, the development of computational fluency, and generalizations about numbers and operations.

In the first investigation, we are playing games using addition and subtraction fluency cards with numbers within 5. We are playing games like Race to the Sun, Fill the Treasure Chest, and Build and Remove.

At this time of the year students are working on:

• Rote counting through 50 fluently
• Practicing rote counting through 100
• Recognizing and naming single and double digit numbers
• Writing numbers 1-20
• Using math tools/ sketches to make sense of story problems and model appropriately
• Explore addition and subtraction strategies for facts within 5 (within 10 as a challenge!)

In our current math unit, we are working to explore addition and subtraction strategies to gain fluency within 5 and challenging ourselves to work within 10.

Such strategies include:

• Counting all (2+1 would sound like “1,2,3”)
• Counting on (2+1 would sound like “2,3”)
• Counting back (5-3 would sound like “5,4,3,2)
• Using turn around facts to solve (2+3 is the same as 3+2)

Students are using various tools to work towards fluency in problem solving including 5 bead racks, cubes and counting bears. We are also working to support mathematicians in explaining how they problem solved by naming the strategy they have used or letting other mathematicians “hear” the problem solving in their head.