Subtract-a-Palooza: Math Magic Under 5!

Kindergarten Grade Project 1 week

Subtract-a-Palooza: Math Magic Under 5!

April Sterbin

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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.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Subtraction Scavenger Hunt - Students explore the classroom or outdoor area to find objects like leaves, blocks, or pencils that can be grouped and subtracted, practicing subtraction by removing some from their collection and sharing their findings with the class. (20 min) Reflection Journal Introduction - Students draw or use stickers to represent the subtraction scenarios from the scavenger hunt, sharing their reflections with a partner to discuss different approaches and feelings. (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Reflection journal entries depicting subtraction scenarios using drawings and stickers. 2. Subtraction role-play skit demonstrating real-life subtraction scenarios. 3. Subtraction board game with rules and strategies. 4. Cooking activity product showing subtraction in ingredient usage.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for subtraction scavenger hunt: leaves, blocks, pencils. 2. Prepare reflection journals and provide drawing materials and stickers. 3. Collect props for role-play activities: play money, snack items. 4. Provide ingredients and utensils for simple cooking activity. 5. Obtain game materials such as cardboard, markers, and dice for board game creation.