Counting in Multiple Ways

1. Counting in Multiple Ways By Ethel Bush

2. Counting • There are multiple ways of counting. Getting the student to find a way that makes him/her successful is the key. Most students believe that there is only one way to count and only one correct answer. Both are the wrong answer. But this is the way they have been taught over the years. This presentation will show a few different ways that a student can learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers while having fun. You can use whatever you have in your classroom as counters.

3. Instructions • Before introducing the lesson, the teacher will check by oral questioning to see exactly what the students know about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The teacher will then explain to the students what they will be doing and demonstrate the process. This lesson will cover all four areas.

4. Instructions cont’d • Each student will be given a worksheet with eight problems, two for each day, to work on their own. This is to see if they are getting the process and to see if I need to find a different way to explain and demonstrate. Next, the students will be put into groups of four or whatever number divides equally.

5. Instructions cont’d • Each group will be given a container of color blocks/counters. Each group will have four problems to solve, one for each student in the group to work. They will have five minutes to work out their problem. Once finished, each student will get up and demonstrate to the class how they figured out their problem. This will continue until about fifteen minutes before the bell.

6. Instructions cont’d • The assessment will now take place. • There are four stages that the student has to master in order to finish the game. • Since we are on double block scheduling, we will cover one lesson per day. There will be a small assessment at the end of each class, oral/written, to see if the student understands the lesson.

7. Instructions cont’d • Friday the class will take an assessment covering all four areas of basic math discussed this week. All students will be rewarded for their hard work and those that master the content will get to go to the Treasure Chest for a prize (homework pass, computer time (computer, Ipad, kindle fire, kindle e-reader), surprise ticket (could be anything).

8. Preparation • Always go through your lesson before you actually use it with the students. • Make sure the materials you need are available and working if using technology. • Make sure that the activity is fun and that the students can be successful. • Don’t try to teach what you don’t know!

9. Materials • There are not many materials needed for this activity. • Computer • Power-point • Color counters/blocks • Visualizer if available • Worksheets • Assessment and Key

10. Lesson Plan • Title: Counting in Multiple Ways • Focus (TEKS): 1.3 A, B. The student will model and create addition and subtraction problem situations with concrete objects and pictorial models to apply basic addition and subtraction facts. • Engage: Warm-up 2 addition problems • Explain: The teacher will explain to the students what they will be doing and demonstrate the process.

11. Explore: Khan Academy • Elaborate: Addition Group Game and student explanations. • Evaluate: Exit Ticket (oral/written questioning)