The Wrap Up
In Module 4, picture stories and number bonds introduced the concept of addition. We are midway through Module 5 and students are using the math symbols that represent plus (+), minus (-) and equals (=) . Pictures are still used to tell a math story; however, students write a number sentence that matches the picture story now. Often during lessons students are asked to create a story that matches a given number sentence. The telling of math stories is a strategy that is used to help students understand which math symbol to use when writing addition and subtraction number sentences.
Since kindergarteners are hands-on learners, math tools are always used when completing assignments. A partial listing of the math tools includes: counting cubes, ten frames and counters, number bond mat, and a number path.
It is important to note the students have learned that equals means “the same as” and the two are used interchangeably in the classroom.
Literature Connections
In Ten for Me by Barbara Mariconda, Rose and her friend have a friendly competition to see which of the two can catch the most butterflies. “How Many in All?” they wonder as they race to catch the most butterflies. On each page there is a different number sentence that totals ten.
Domino Addition by Lynette Long is best read with a complete set of dominoes near. It is a lovely book with simple black and white illustrations. Long shows how to add the total number of dots on each domino and how to find different number combinations. While reading this book, your child can locate the domino featured on each page and write a number sentence or a number bond that matches the dots on the domino.
Ten timid ghosts have a big problem when a mean little witch moves into their house and wants them to move out! She is a clever little witch and uses disguises to scare the ghosts away one by one. It is the last ghost in the house that hatches a plan to get their house back. This is a fun book about subtraction that reinforces counting backward from ten. Ten Timid Ghosts is by Jennifer O'Connell.
Homework Ideas
- Dot Sticker Addition - Create addition sentences for your child to solve using dot stickers to solve teach number sentence.
Playdough Addition – Write addition number sentences on white copy paper. Your child rolls out playdough balls to represent each number in the problem, then squishes them together into a ball to find the sum (total). Helpful hint: Enclose the white paper in a sleeve protector and the playdough will not stick to the surface.
Subtraction Smash: Your child reads a subtraction number sentence card and then uses playdough to make balls. If the problem is “5 - 2 = ” your child forms 5 playdough balls, and then smashes 2 to represent the subtraction! Your child then counts the remaining playdough balls to find the answer.
Add and Sort Dominoes - Lay out a number line or make one from 1 -10, then ask your child to sort each domino by the sum of their two sides.
What's Next?
Students have been learning about addition and subtraction separately. In the remaining lessons in Module 5, students will need to determine which operation (addition or subtraction) should be used to solve a specific problem. Additionally, they will have practice finding number pairs that total ten.
In Module 6, the final kindergarten module, students will begin to learn about place value.