Learning Activity

What Is the Difference?

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

1

Overview

This learning activity is a teacher-led introduction to solving word problems involving situations of taking from and comparing. The read-aloud and the activity will provide opportunities to review subtraction. Also, it will provide opportunities for a rich discussion about solving story problems. The students will use different strategies including drawings, objects, and equations to learn how to solve story problems. It is helpful to share students' responses to increase understanding of solving story problems.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.1

Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.1

Vocabulary

  • Change unknown
  • Put together
  • Take apart
  • Compare

Knowledge

Students know:
  • addition and subtraction strategies and models.
  • how to form an equation.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • represent quantities and operations (addition & subtraction) with concrete objects, pictorially, or symbolically.
  • Use informal and mathematical language to communicate the representations.
  • Accurately compute sums and differences.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • addition is both putting together and adding to. subtraction is taking apart, taking from, and comparisons.
  • Mathematical problems can be solved using a variety of strategies. models, and representations.
  • variables in the form of blanks, boxes, or letters, represent unknown quantities when representing mathematical situations algebraically.
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.

Phase

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The student will use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20.
  • The student will decompose a number within 10.
  • The student will add and subtract within 20.
  • The student will justify the reasonableness of his/her answer and explaining his/her strategies.

Activity Details

  1. Gather students on the floor to listen to "Ten Flashing Fireflies" on the interactive whiteboard or projector.
  2. As they are listening, stop and discuss what is happening in the book, such as one more firefly is in the jar but then the fireflies start flying away. The teacher can write equations given by the students to illustrate what is happening in the book.
  3. After the book, show the students the following problem on chart paper.   
    • Problem: Sam has 6 books. Joe has 13 books. How many more does Joe have than Sam?
  4. Ask students to restate the problem in their own words. Discuss with the students as they "unpack" the problem with the following: "What do you know about the problem? Tell me in your own words what you need to find or solve. What are some ways you can show your mathematical thinking when you work on this problem?"
  5. Send students to their workspaces to glue a personal copy of the problem in their journals or on a piece of paper.
  6. Have students solve the problem with manipulatives, words, or pictures.
  7. Students should add an equation to match their solution.
  8. While the students work, the teacher observes and asks questions, recording student responses. The teacher will decide which students will share their solution strategies when the whole group reconvenes.
  9. Bring students back together as a group for sharing. The teacher needs to allow the students to do most of the talking and questioning, with the teacher offering support and clarification if needed.
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Observe the following to assess the students: 

  • Did the student solve the problem?
  • Can the student explain his/her solution?
  • What tool did the student use? Why did the student select it?
  • Does the student understand the problem?
  • Can the student find another way to solve the problem?
  • What did the student do first? Why? What did the student do next? Why?
  • Make anecdotal notes as you observe the students.  

Variation Tips

To extend this problem ask students how they might change the problem to tell about Sam's books, making this problem a "How many fewer?" version.  

If students are struggling, assist in unpacking the problem, and use manipulatives to explain.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

  • Connect to the link for the book "Ten Flashing Fireflies" and ensure you have video and audio capabilities.
  • Prepare the word problem on chart paper.
  • Prepare a class set of printed copies of the problem for students to glue in their math journals.
  • Provide paper or math journals for recording solutions.
  • Prepare baskets of hands-on materials for each table or for groups of students to share. These should include problem-solving manipulatives such as two-colored counters, snap cubes, beans, hundred boards, or number lines.

Digital Tools / Resources

Read Aloud of Book: "Ten Flashing Fireflies by P. Sturges"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKvUvrw4lNE

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

kimhenderson
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