Number Games and Crayon Puzzles

Students solve missing addend and subtrahend problems and solve story problems with new variables.

The first grade is working through a new unit in mathematics called Number Games and Crayon Problems. We are working on adding and subtracting numbers to 20 in many different contexts, with the goal being fluency with addition and subtraction problems within 10. Students encounter new variables within story problems, and think about the notation mathematicians use for addition and subtraction. 

On math workshop days, children are invited to choose among a variety of games that help them meet the goal of building fluency with addition and subtraction facts while also learning how to think strategically and flexibly about solving math problems. Embedded in each game are opportunities to make it more challenging and complex for students who have already memorized math facts.

Games used in this unit are Tens Go Fish (a game that helps students to consider multiple ways to make a given sum), Ten Plus (a game about regrouping to find equivalent expressions), Five in a Row Subtraction, Five in a Row with Three Cards, and Dot Addition (another game about finding multiple combinations to make the same sum).