Preparing for Elementary Math Work
As we’re beginning the Montessori Lower Elementary curriculum, the math sequence becomes even more varied than it was before. Geometry becomes a separate subject. Which is good for Danny because he still loves math and again chose it first when presented a work plan on the first day.
Operations
Danny has been working with 4-digit addition and subtraction for awhile but since we took the summer off from doing math, I wanted to start with some review before introducing him to the Large Bead Frame, which will be the next step to doing this work abstractly.
I found these cute addition and subtraction cards on Teacher’s Pay Teachers and I knew Danny would enjoy checking his work by scanning the QR Code. I had meant for him to use them with the Stamp Game but he asked to do the first one with the Golden Bead material so I obliged.
Stamp Game
Next he wanted to do the snake game, which is a fun way to memorize addition facts. The QR Codes on the TPT bundle that I purchased inspired me to see if I could make my own. So far Danny had mostly does free-range snake games, where he made his own. I wanted him to do some snakes set up to “search for 10”. In these snakes every 2-3 sets of beads adds up to 10. So I made a few pre-designed cards and found a free QR creator online. You can download these cards for FREE here:
The first page with 5 cards are all “search for 10” and the second page of 5 cards are random sequences that don’t always add up to 10. I printed them onto glossy cardstock and Danny uses an app on my iPhone to check the QR code.
Addition Facts
Although Danny almost had his addition facts memorized at the end of last spring, we hadn’t worked with them all summer so I expected he might need some review. I split the equation tickets into three piles: 1-Both numbers 5 and under, 2-At least one number 5 and under and 3-Both numbers over 5. Today I gave him the first stack and the Addition Finger Board. I told him to choose a ticket and if he knew the answer, write it down. If he didn’t, use the board to find it. Sure this was the easy set, but he took right to it and completed a lot more in a short time than I expected and only checked the board on one equation.
Fractions
Elementary math is full of fraction work. A friend shared a YouTube video of how to present early fraction work and it included matching number form, word form, fraction of a whole and fraction of a group. It inspired me to make a set of cards for Danny to match. The first set I made was for 1/2 up to 1/10. I wasn’t sure how Danny would do with the cards so I split them into two groups, up to 1/5th and above 1/5th. Danny matched the first set without blinking so I gave him the second and he took a little longer with it, mostly because he had to actually count the sections to know how many were there, but he clearly understood the concept. So I went back and made a second set with random numerators instead of all 1.
I’m sharing these cards for FREE here too:
The first 4 pages are Sets 1 & 2 in cursive and the last 4 pages are Sets 1 & 2 in print. Your choice.
Clock Work
Okay, clock work is actually considered a history work but Danny’s love of numbers is drawing him to this work these days. I have a rubber stamp that prints the clock image on the page. Then I gave Danny 9 of these flashcards in 2 sets, one with the clock face up and one with the written time up. The cards are double sided so the opposite side has the other format for Danny to check his work. The first day all the cards were on the hour and the second day they were all 15 minutes after the hour.
So there we have it. All the math work that Danny completed in the first two days of school! It’s going to be a wild ride!