Subtract-a-Palooza: Math Magic Under 5!

Kindergarten Grade

Project
1 week

Subtract-a-Palooza: Math Magic Under 5!

April Sterbin

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse kindergarten students in practical, engaging experiences that develop their ability to subtract within 5. Through activities like role-playing, cooking, and game creation, students will explore subtraction in familiar, everyday contexts. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts while encouraging creativity and collaboration.

Learning goals

Students will develop the ability to flexibly and efficiently subtract within 5 by engaging in real-world scenarios and hands-on activities. They will enhance their understanding of subtraction through role-play, creative board game design, and practical cooking tasks, fostering their ability to visualize and articulate subtraction processes. By reflecting on their experiences, students will strengthen their problem-solving skills and learn to communicate their mathematical thinking with peers effectively.

Standards

Common Core - K.OA.A.1: Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds, acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.
Common Core - K.OA.A.2: Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, using objects or drawings to represent the problem.
Common Core - K.OA.A.5: Fluently add and subtract within 5.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create a subtraction-themed board game and a reflection journal filled with drawings or stickers illustrating subtraction scenarios. By the end of the learning experience, students will have developed a collaborative recipe book, showcasing their cooking activity and the subtraction processes involved in ingredient management. These products will serve as tangible evidence of their understanding and application of subtraction within real-world contexts.

Launch

Begin the project with a nature walk around the school grounds where students collect small objects like leaves, pebbles, or sticks. Encourage students to observe and discuss how they can subtract these items from their collection. After the walk, gather in a circle to share findings and brainstorm creative ways to use these objects to demonstrate subtraction within 5. This activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for exploring subtraction in everyday contexts.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, host a "Subtraction Showcase" where students invite family members to explore their subtraction board games and participate in the role-play activities. Set up stations for each game and scenario, allowing students to explain their subtraction strategies and demonstrate their understanding through interactive play. This exhibition provides a platform for students to share their learning journey and celebrate their achievements with the school community.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Nature Walk Subtraction Exploration - Students collect small objects like leaves or pebbles and discuss ways to subtract these items from their collection, introducing subtraction within 5 using real-world contexts (20 min) Circle Sharing and Brainstorming - Gather in a circle to share findings from the nature walk and brainstorm creative subtraction strategies using collected objects (25 min)	Subtraction Role-Play - Facilitate a role-play activity where students act out real-life scenarios like shopping, subtracting items, and discussing the subtraction process with the class (25 min) Reflection Journal Creation - Students draw or use stickers to represent subtraction scenarios they encountered, preparing for partner sharing (20 min)	Cooking Subtraction Activity - Students participate in a hands-on cooking experience, practicing subtraction by counting down ingredients as they are added and removed (25 min) Subtraction Board Game Design - Students work in pairs to design a board game involving subtraction, sharing game rules and strategies with classmates (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A completed reflection journal with drawings or stickers illustrating subtraction scenarios. 2. A subtraction-themed board game designed and tested by students. 3. A collaborative recipe book with a simple recipe and subtraction notes.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for the nature walk, including collection bags and magnifying glasses. 2. Prepare ingredients and utensils for the cooking activity, ensuring all items can be counted and subtracted. 3. Provide art supplies like paper, markers, and stickers for the reflection journal activity. 4. Design a template for the board game, including spaces for subtraction tasks and game pieces. 5. Set up a comfortable space for role-play activities, with props relevant to everyday subtraction scenarios. 6. Coordinate logistics for the Subtraction Showcase, including invitations for family members and setup for game and role-play stations.