Category Archives: Addition
5 Frames used 2 ways
We have started learning simple addition, so I came up with a simple game my kiddos could use on their own to help them develop the idea of putting 2 groups together.
We first used the 5 frames and dice. The kiddos would roll a die and place that many of one colored cube on their 5 frame. They would then fill in the rest of the spaces with their second color. They then turned to their partner and would say “2 blue and 3 green make 5.” Then it would be the other kiddos turn. I numbered the die from 0-5 so that they could not roll more than 5. 
We then played again, but instead of dice, we used spinners! Same game, just a way to change it up a bit so it would seem new to them! 🙂 
We spent a day playing each of the ways mentioned above and then another two days playing the same games but with a recording sheet. I got the recording sheets from my Math Their Way blackline masters. It is a 1/2 page with 5 cubes linked together. The children had to color their recording sheet to represent the cubes on their 5 frame.
The 2nd way we will be using our 5 frames is during our Literacy time next week. Part of what we are doing to develop literacy skills is counting the number of words in sentences. The children will each get a 5 frame and a stack of 5 cubes (none of the sentences will have more than 5 words in them). As I say the words in the sentence, the children will place a cube on their 5 frame for each word they hear. You could also use these to count sounds heard in words.
Two fun ways to use 5 frames! 🙂
Kristen 🙂
Spring Problem Solving Pack
I finally got the new problem solving pack done! It snowed here last night, into today, 9 inches! So much for the first day of my Spring Break! It is supposed to be in the 50’s by Saturday though…still…it’s Spring!! 🙂
This pack is designed to cover April and May. It’s got 45 activities in it…and assuming you’re in school every weekday from April 1st to the end of May, you will have one for each of the 42 days that are included in that time. 🙂
Here are some pictures of the new pack. If you click on any of them, it will take you to my Tpt site where you can purchase it for your own. It is a little more expensive than my other packs, but it contains 2 months worth of activities, so I priced it accordingly. 🙂 It covers a wide range of Common Core Standard skills and I made each activity last at least a week, so you can really practice each skill with your students. 🙂
Let me know what you think!
Kristen 🙂
Simple Addition
I gave each of them 10 of a different color of cubes (but you could use anything!). I asked them to show me a particular math sentence, first with cubes and then to write an equation for it. They picked up pretty quickly, now we will just review everyday, until I’m sure they understand. 🙂
How do you practice addition and subtraction with your kiddos? What materials do you use?
Kristen 🙂
Valentine’s Day Math Work Stations
Sorry that I’ve been a little absent lately…I worked really hard during at least 5 days of my winter break so that I could come home from school for a few weeks and just relax! I have some pictures that I’ve been taking and will get those posted later this week, but today, while watching the Inauguration, I worked on this set for Valentine’s Day/February Math Work Stations.
It’s a set of 5 activities that are quick and easy to set up and get going! I’ve included all the manipulatives you might need, but you can add your own if you want to. I found pink and red heart shaped table scatter at the Dollar Tree this weekend and some foam Conversation hearts from the Dollar Tree and in the Target Dollar Spot. I plan on using them with these activities in my classroom, but I will let the kiddos have the real Conversation hearts when we sort and graph them on the sheets included in this pack.
Two different kinds of patterning cards are included and a recording sheet is included so the children can record their patterns. I’ve also added a Valentine’s Day “Make ____ on the Ten Frame” that is very similar to the winter and fall themed ones I have created before. I also put in a “How Many to 10?” game where children look at a Ten Frame with hearts in it and figure out how many more they need to make 10. There is a spot on the bottom of each sheet for children to write the corresponding math sentence. I’ve added a recording sheet for that activity as well, so using 2 different colors, students record combinations to 10.
I’m giving one pack away, so hop on over to my Kristen’s Kindergarten Facebook page and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Valentine’s Day Math activity is! 😉
Click on the picture above to get your own pack> 🙂
Kristen 🙂
Winter Addition Practice
Today, I sat down to do my plans for January and after looking over my math data, I discovered that we need some more work with addition. I created these winter themed math mats so my kiddos could practice seeing the number sentences and practice writing them. When you use them, you will want to laminate them or place them in a sheet protector so your kiddos can use them over and over to practice. Just use a dry erase marker and a sock (to erase) and you’re all set!
Click on the picture above (the blue one) to go to my Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s store to get them for your class! 🙂
iSpy bags
I’m hooked! On Pinetrest that is! I found this idea a few days ago and had the materials (mostly) laying around.
I found this great tutorial here and l decided that because I had most of the materials already laying around, I could make some of these. I went to Jo-Ann’s and looked for things that were small: beads, rhinestones, buttons, etc., that would fit inside one of these bags. I also purchased two 32 oz. bags of plastic pellets, used to fill up dolls/children’s toys. I have made 13 so far (they are not all pictured). I also purchased some bags of trinkets from a store on etsy. (LOVE etsy!)
The items you see laying on the white paper will eventually be printed off, laminated, and attached with grommets so that the children can use a dry erase marker to circle the items that they have found.
Wouldn’t these be great with magnetic items inside as well? 🙂 For the bag with the numbers, I was thinking it would be great addition and subtraction practice for the children to find a number, then roll a die to see if they would add or subtract the next number they find! You could do all kinds of things with these! Use them in Work Stations, make them easy or difficult…how about putting sight words in them and letting the children write them as they find them? How about printing the words in tiny font and using a magnifying glass to read them and then say them out loud? The alphabet bags could be used to spell words…the ideas are endless…do you have any other ideas? Leave them in a comment here! 🙂
I am thinking of making some to sell. I made mine so that they correlate to units or themes we are working on in our IB units. So far, I’ve got one for ponds, letters, numbers, recycling, gingerbread men/women, animals, pets, and a few just for fun ones!
Let me know if you might be interested in purchasing one or two…I’m thinking $10 for each one, with laminated tag included and attached. 🙂
Kristen 🙂
New Math Work Stations
Here are some more pictures of our newest Math Work Stations. We’ve moved on to the 3rd quarter Math Common Core Standards (mainly addition and subtraction and 3D shapes). I’ve introduced a new puzzle that helps with addition and subtraction, some games about weight (heaviest/lightest), and a dramatic version of 5 Green and Speckled frogs to help with the idea of subtraction.
Kristen 🙂
Kristen's Kindergarten 