Friday 11 January 2013

Math Resources for Students to Make




Well, it's getting to that time of year where I'm starting to think about the new school year (it's ridiculous how fast these holidays have gone!) I've been thinking about the things I want to do at the beginning of the year... one of the things I like to do is to get the kiddies involved in making resources for the class. Today I thought I'd share some of the easy resources that we make and use in my class.


Number counting sticks

We make a set for each child in the class, these come in handy right throughout the year! Each student makes a set of ten, which they keep in their Maths Toolbox. They can be used for developing number recognition, practicing addition and subtraction to/from 10 or for making bonds to 5 or 10 ... No doubt you could think of many more ideas! Very handy tools!



Number Bonds to 10... 7 and 3 is 10
Number Bonds to 5... 4 and 1 is 5



 To make them, you just need 10 pop sticks per child, beads and craft glue. Simply glue one bead on the first stick, two on the second, three on the third etc. Just make sure the beads are glued on well... It is a pain if they fall off! You could also use dot stickers instead of beads.





Another resource I make with students are subitising cards. We have a class set that I use nearly daily, but I think it's great for them to also have their own set. They use these throughout the year, sometimes as a part of our lessons, sometimes when they have some free time. The kids work in pairs, flashing each card to their partner for one second and asking 'How many dots did you see?' This is a really popular game for early finishers and does wonders for their number sense well!






To make these cards, each child will need pieces of card (I use A4 cut into quarters) and dot stickers. Before they make their own, we look at the class set of subtitising cards and talk about how the dots are arranged - I really important step otherwise you can end up with all sorts of strange cards!


We also make Ten Frames. As with the subitising cards, we have a class set that we use all the time, but it's nice for everyone to have their own set to use as well. I print off copies of the blank five and ten frames and give kids black stickers to stick on. As with the subitising cards, it's well-worth being really clear about the type of patterns you'd like the class to make.

You can click here for a free copy of the frames that I use.

 I've used black dots in this set, as I think it's easiest for the kids to use but you could use stars/colour dots or themed stickers if you wanted to.



I'd love to hear any about any resources you make with your class :)

5 comments:

  1. Hi Jess,
    I teach Grade One in Queensland and we often use subitising cards and tens frames at the beginning of the year to reinforce number concepts but I've never thought of getting the kids involved by making the resources. Thanks for the idea!

    Learning is Rosey with Mrs Josey

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    1. Hi Mrs Josey,

      I'm glad you found it useful! I've just started blogging and am learning so much from everyone's blogs. I popped over to your blog... it looks fantastic!

      I hope you're enjoying the summer holidays, we are back to school at the end of next week... I can't quite believe it's that time already!

      Jess

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  2. Thanks for visiting my blog Jess! I have also only just started blogging. I'm sure we will have loads more to blog about when we go back to school- only much less time to do it!
    My PD days start next Wednesday and then the children come a week later on the 30th. It will be Easter break before we know it!

    Learning is Rosey with Mrs Josey

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  3. Jess thank you for sharing all of these great ideas! I am very partial to making math a more important subject these past two years while learning about the common core. I love all the math centers. I can wait to incorporate some of them in my classroom. I hope you check out my blog <3

    Kindness Counts in Kindergarten
    Hollie

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  4. Hi Hollie :)

    Thank you for stopping by! I'm glad you've found some of my ideas useful :) I've learnt so much from other people's blogs, it's great to be able to share back. You have a fantastic blog.... I love all the photos from your class, their little snowmen names are gorgeous!

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