Math Fact Families

This week we have been working on fact families in math.  We decided to share our work using an App called a Show Me.  We started by throwing two dice to determine the three numbers for our fact families.  Next, we wrote down our three numbers.  Afterwards, we wrote our fact family.  Finally, we demonstrated our learning using a Show Me.  You can see some of the Show Me's we created below.

Exploring Math Materials

In first grade we spend a lot of time in the beginning of the school year exploring math materials.  During math workshop we complete four rotations.  Today our focus is on exploring math materials.  It's important that we use our materials properly.  Mrs. Ruckes often reminds us that our materials are "tools and not toys".  Sometimes our "tools" are so much fun that we can't resist playing with them.  To solve that problem, Mrs. Ruckes gives us time to do some exploring.  We get to use our math materials in any way we choose.  We can stack, build, design, and create with them.  We can be as creative as we want.  By allowing us time to "explore" with our materials first, we are not tempted to "play" with them when we need to use them for our learning.

These students are "playing" with pattern blocks.  Two students decided to work together to create this design.  Can you guess what it is?  Yes, it's a honeycomb.

The students in this group are exploring with the base-10 blocks.  Some students are creating tall structures that resemble skyscrapers.  Amazing!

Take a look at these students as they create designs using the geoboards.

These students are playing math games on the computer.  The site is called cool math.

Children "play" with pattern blocks, base-10 blocks, and geoboards to familiarize themselves with these materials.  They also play math games on the computer.  Exploring Math Materials is engaging and fun!  Do you get to "play" with math materials in your classroom?