Learning Activity

Snap to It... Making Numbers

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

1

Overview

This learning activity is a fun and interactive game. It will develop number sense by composing and decomposing numbers as well as building a foundation for place value skills. It can be used in whole group and small group instruction.  Before this game, the students will need to know strategies for making numbers in different ways. After the students are comfortable with this game, it can be varied by playing it with breaking into three parts. Students will have the opportunity to use several of the mathematical practices. This task allows the teacher to assess students' mathematical understanding.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.6

Add and subtract within 20.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.6

Vocabulary

  • Fluency

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies for finding sums and differences within 20.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use addition and subtraction strategies.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Addition and subtraction strategies can be used to compute sums and differences, and how.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.8

Solve for the unknown whole number in various positions in an addition or subtraction equation, relating three whole numbers that would make it true.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.8

Vocabulary

  • Equation

    • Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Strategies for solving simple addition or subtraction equations with one unknown.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • solve simple addition and subtraction equations.
    • Justify and explain their thinking.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • equalities contain expressions that name the same amount on each side of the equal sign, even with quantities unknown.

    Phase

    During/Explore/Explain
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    • The student will add and subtract within 20.
    • The student will use relationships between addition and subtraction.
    • The student will determine the unknown whole number in addition equations and subtraction equations relating to three whole numbers.
    • The student will justify and explain their strategies to others.

    Activity Details

    1. Organize students in groups of 3-4 students.
    2. Distribute bags with chips, cubes, and number card deck to each group.
    3. Students place the deck of number cards facedown where the cards are accessible to the entire group.
    4. Each student will get twenty snap cubes.
    5. Student 1 selects a number card from the number card deck and shows that number to the group.
    6. All students will write that number in their math journal or on a piece of paper and build a train with that number of snap cubes.
    7. When everyone has built a train, everyone will hold the train behind their back or under the table (where others can not see it) and snap (break) their train into two parts.
    8. Students will keep one part hidden but place the other part of their trains on the table until it is their turn to share.
    9. Student 1 shows one part of their train where the group can see it while keeping the other part of the train hidden.
    10. Students in the group count how many they see and try to be the first to name the number of cubes that are still hidden. The first player to answer correctly must also tell what the equation is with the unknown part. For example, the number card is 12.  Student 1 broke the trains so that 4 cubes are showing.  Student 2 is the first to give the correct response of 8, but they must also state an equation to match the response, 8!  "I see 4 and I know that 12= 4+8." or "I see 4 and 12-4=8."
    11. The first player to name the hidden number of cubes and make a correct equation gets one chip.
    12. Play continues until all group members have shared their trains for 12.
    13. Students record each equation that is made for 12 in their math journal.
    14. Round 2 begins with Student 2 selecting a new number card from the deck, repeating the steps above.  Play continues, if time permits with each student selecting a number card.
    15. The player with the most chips after several rounds wins the game.
    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    The teacher would use anecdotal notes to assess the students' strategies and understanding using the following questions during the game:

    • How did you decide how many cubes were hiding?
    • How did you decide how to write the equation?  
    • How is your equation the same as your neighbor's equation?  How do they differ?
    • How might you organize your equations for this number to show a pattern?
    • What else can you know, if you know 12= 8 + 4?  What other equations could you write?  
    • What does the equal sign mean in your equation?

    The teacher will collect and check math journals or papers.

    Variation Tips

    Students can continue to play this game during workshop/center time to demonstrate fluency.

    After students are comfortable with this version of the game, the game can be varied with students breaking trains into 3 parts.

    If students are struggling to determine the unknown, give students smaller numbers as well as work with the teacher in a smaller group.

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    • Review Standards for Mathematical Practices that you will focus on during the lesson.
    • Review the significant ideas in the standards to connect this lesson with key mathematical ideas for developing an understanding relationship between addition and subtraction.
    • Create a list of students who will be grouped into teams of 3-4 students.
    • Reproduce copies of number cards resource, 1 deck for every 3-4 students. Laminating is suggested to be able to use again for this game and other games.
    • Gather enough snap cubes for each group of 3-4 to have 20 snap cubes.
    • Gather 10-12 chips for each group.
    • Place snap cubes, chips, and the deck of cards for each group of students in small self-closing bags.
    • Provide a math journal or paper for recording equations.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    Number Card Deck (1-20)
    https://nrich.maths.org/content/id/8506/1-20NumberCards.pdf

    Approved Date

    Owner (Author)

    kimhenderson
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