Common Core Glossary Table 1

Penguin Problem Solving and a Very Important Table

Have you looked at table 1 in the glossary of the common core standards? If you haven't (or you have and need a refresher)Go here

Go to page 88. Side Note: If you teach multiplication/division you really need to check out page 89

Here is a screen shot of the table I am talking about

This table shows all the addition and subtraction situations that your students need to be familiar with. The grade level standards specify which ones each grade is responsible for and the size of the numbers involved. I looked at our math program and the problems we were currently using. Oops! We are missing some of those. We seem to have a lot of add to, result unknown. We also had a lot of compare, difference unknown problems. The rest of the problem types either did not exist or where not in an appropriate number range. Time to create some new ones.
 Because I have been so involved with the penguin theme, I decided to stick with it. I created a series of picture problems that represent the different problem types in the glossary table 1.

These picture problems are available at my teachers pay teachers store.  They are sold on their own and as part of the ultimate penguin pack.  Check them out!

On each problem, I wrote the problem type on the sun. This helps me keep the terminology straight and gives me a chance to expose myself to these different problem types. I used numbers in the first grade (up to 20) range for these problems. I ended up using some of them with kindergartners as well. At the end of this week, I am planning on using some of them with an intervention group of second graders. They really aren't familiar (or proficient?) with some of these problem types and I think I need to back down to smaller numbers and give them more concrete experiences.




Here is another example

 Here is a type of problem I hadn't ever thought about presenting to kids.  They had a lot of fun with it, were very engaged and practiced their combinations of ten

Another favorite problem is the put together/take apart: addend unknown problem

The kids had some really interesting strategies!

Does your math program expose students to all the problem types?  If not, how do you give them the exposure they need?

Head to Tpt to grab your copy:)

Penguin Mania!

First Grade Common Core Standards Penguin Style!

Penguin Themed Subtraction Game

I have really been on a roll with creating these new penguin games!  As I have been working with my first graders lately, I have noticed that some of them need a lot more practice with subtraction.  Our math program has many more games for practicing addition facts than subtraction facts.  I created this game to help a specific group of kids practice subtraction facts with a heavy emphasis on counting back as a strategy. 

Help!  An Orca is Coming!

This game has been very engaging!  Each student who is playing (usually in pairs sometimes in groups of 3) gets a game board (the one with the picture of the whale) and 6 penguins (if I run out of penguins or they become distracting to kids, I give them bingo chips and they pretend they are penguins).  They place the 6 penguins on any of the numbered icebergs (more than 1 penguin can be on each one) The students then take turns spinning the spinner and figuring out the answer.  If they have a penguin on the iceberg that has the answer, they get to move it to safety. There are dots on the spinner to support counting backwards as a strategy.  You will see some kids relying heavily on them at first but the more practice they get, the less they need them.  Kids who are ready will not use the dots at all. 

I created a record sheet to go with the game. Depending on my intentions when I have kids play this game, I sometimes opt not to use the record sheet.  This is especially true if I have kids who are really struggling and I am going to be sitting there with them for most of the game.  I also will have kids play this game without the record sheet when I am pushing for fluency. 

The game is over when a student gets all of their penguins to safety.  After playing this game a few times, kids start to notice which differences appear more often and start being very intentional about where to place their penguins.  I love that this is a subtraction game but probability is also stuck in there as well.

I have a few more penguin ideas.... stay tuned!!!