math

In November we focused a lot on arithmetic: trade first subtraction (borrowing), column addition, and fact families. Students played the card games Less Than You and Top It, wrote subtraction number stories, and practiced their facts by completing flip overs. We went over the relationship between subtraction and addition in our discussions of subtraction and fact families and students created their own fact family houses.

During this time, students were mostly placed in a group by grade level, and occasionally by ability. Second grade students practiced time to the half hour and completed activities based on coin value. They also have been practicing place value by playing the game Largest Sum Wins. All students have been working to solve task cards that are individual to their ability as well as solving mental math activities such as Place Value Logic, Shape Logic, and challenges.

In addition, I have been trying to make math meaningful to them by bringing in real life math problems. These have included basketball scores and paychecks- we practice finding differences (subtraction); and buying avocados - I provided the students with the prices of Ken’s avocados and gave them a budget of $20 and they had to find a combination of avocados to buy with their $20. Later, I placed them in groups and they each made their own version of guacamole and then tasted and compared. My husband was amazed when I told him that all the students ate the guacamole!