Keep it Simple
Objective: SWBAT identify the "friendly" number sentence that helps them solve a 3 addend equation.
Big Idea: Introduce students to the concept of "simplifying" as they find the friendly number sentences that help them solve 3 addend number sentences!
Print Lesson
Student Share
If your students have used number bonds to represent concepts before, then this activity will need less explaining. If this is the first time using this representation, students will need to practice more before heading off on their own.
I’ll model showing what we did in the last problem using a number bond. A number bond is one way students can practice modeling with mathematics. They are very visual, and help students see how numbers come together to create one total.
- Big points for students to understand about the number bond: These lines show me that these numbers are being combined to create this sum at the top. We have 3 circles below the sum because we have 3 addends in our problem.
Game Rules: I’ll go through each step of the game rules and model each step.
- Roll 3 dice. Write each number in one of the addend circles.
- How many in total? Write the sum at the top.
- Which two numbers did you combine first? Highlight the friendly numbers.
See me example number bonds and game boards here: Strategy Chart
After I model each step, I’ll have students practice with me on the rug using white boards. I'll roll the dice and have students draw on their white boards. White boards are a great engagement strategy and allow me as the teacher to quickly identify any misconceptions students have. We will then share out what students did and show our white boards to a partner.
You can watch 2 students explain how they solved 2+2+3. You'll especially love the little girl at the beginning! She is so excited to show what we she knows!
Independent Practice
Directions: Students use the number bond recording sheet! You can find it here on this blog for free! Students color the two numbers they added together that made the number sentence "friendly".
Differentation note: Students will be at a variety of levels during this activity. For a list of strategies students might use and how to push them to the next level of their thinking, see attached Adding 3 Numbers Strategy Guide.docx
Intervention idea: Students create cube towers for each roll. Students can actually combine the cubes together. These students need the concrete visual.
Extension idea: Students can use number cards instead of a dice if you want them to use larger numbers! Go to Doodle Bugs Teaching for a free adorable set of decade cupcake number cards. Or you can play it with a "grab it" spin. I used that method so kids were able to include ones in their number bonds. You can watch a video of us playing here!
