1st Grade Fall Addition and Subtraction Word Problems + Halloween Freebie

One of the skills I have to practice all year when I teach first grade is addition and subtraction facts (for automaticity) and solving word problems. Initially, my students need to act out and represent the problems in various ways so they can 'see' the problem and know whether to add or subtract.

I initially start with acting out and drawing pictures to represent the problem. But this is very time consuming! When students are ready, I show how 'mathematicians' use short cuts to become efficient at math, and we move onto using symbols to represent the objects in the word problem.

When modelling to the class, we always use 10-frames and different colors of cubes to represent the different parts of the problem. Finally, I move onto using number paths and recording in an equation. 

If you are looking for seasonal word problems for Fall, I have a pack in my TpT store. It has 3 types of addition and subtraction within 10 problems:

• result unknown (20 addition and 20 subtraction)
• change unknown (10 addition and 10 subtraction)
• start unknown (10 addition and 10 subtraction)

What are the benefits of using this pack for your class? 

CONSISTENCY

The pages in this pack all follow a consistent format to help in developing student independence. Each page has an addition or subtraction number story (or word problem). Students visualize the problem and draw a picture to represent it. This can help some students work out whether the problem requires them to add or subtract. In addition, students will complete a 10-frame (make it hands-on by using unifix cubes or counters), number line or track and number sentence (or equation) for each problem.

VERSATILITY

You can use the problems in different ways. For example, to start off the year you might project each page and complete whole class. Later, you might work with a small group before moving the pages to an independent work math tub.

LOOKING FOR A DIGITAL OPTION?

I've included JPEGS of each word problem for you to upload to SeeSaw (or other password protected online app). This gives you complete FLEXIBILITY in how you upload the problems - addition OR subtraction OR both, number line OR number track, problem type, how many etc. Use the word problems how YOU want to use them.

If representing and solving word problems in multiple ways is something your class needs, you can find the pack here. Winter, Spring, Summer and a Seasonal Bundle are also available. 

On another note, the other week we were looking at probability and events that will, might and won't happen. I made up this quick little activity which you can download in Google Drive. 

My kids had a lot of fun with it. I hope yours do too!

Halloween Addition and Subtraction Game Freebies

If you are like me, you love the Halloween season! Even though Halloween isn't a major holiday in Australia, it is getting more popular and it's just so much FUN! 

Here are some math rotations I've used with my class that have a Halloween theme. I use T.I.M.E. for my rotations - Teacher's Choice (usually this is working with the teacher, unless I have individual assessments to do), Independent Work, Math Facts and Easy Revision. You can read a blog post about T.I.M.E. Math here. 

For our T (Teacher's Choice) Tub, we are working on solving and representing addition and subtraction number stories. I am using my Fall Word Problems with my lower group. We are drawing a picture, using unfix cubes in a 10-Frame, number path and number sentences to represent each problem. 

You can pick up my pack of 80 Fall themed addition and subtraction problems for K-1st Grade in my TpT store. 

For our Math Facts rotation, I made some 'broomsticks' (addition and subtraction facts written on craft sticks) and wrote the totals 7-12 on Halloween themed tubs or 'cauldrons'. Students pull a 'broomstick', solve, and sort the sticks into the 'cauldrons'. 

Here's a recording sheet I made to go along with it if you want to make this activity for yourself. I added some Hundred Charts to work out the answers as differentiation for those who needed it and some flash cards for fast finishers - they love testing and timing each other!

Another game we've been playing to master addition math facts the last two weeks is Witchy Brew. You can download it here in google drive. 

Do you love Halloween as much as me?!

Math Work Stations Chapter 6: Place Value

Place Value Chart WITH Arrow

Here is a place value chart I made when I started Year 2 this year. 

This chart is a little different to other ones I see because I've added an arrow in the ones place. 

This helps students when we play games like The Bundling Game and the Trading Game and when it comes to two-digit addition and subtraction with regrouping and trading. 

This is how the arrow helps with addition and subtraction: 

• The arrow reminds students to start with the ones, while also leaving room in the tens column to place the bundled ten above the existing tens - just like we do when we record addition with regrouping.
• For example, you tell students an addition story.
• e.g. The farmer's wife picked 37 apples from their trees while he picked 26. How many apples did they pick altogether? 
• Lay out 37 sticks, then 26 underneath. You'll have to pretend the 3 lines with a cross through it is bundling sticks (a bundle of 10 icy-pole sticks with a rubber band)- if I was at school I would have taken a photo to show you what I mean!

• I recommend icy-pole sticks or connecting cubes over Base 10 when introducing this concept as students can 'see' the regrouping - not taking away 10 ones and then adding a long base 10 block.
• The arrow tells you where to start, so you start by adding ones. Bundle the ten and move it to the tens column. It is placed above the 3 tens since this is where we write the bundled 10 when we record it 

 

• When students are ready to record, they will understand why they have to 'put the one up the top' and understand that the '1' is actually 1 ten. It works the same with subtractation (the ten ones go on top of the arrow).

 

• I personally always say somethhing like 7 ones and 6 ones is 13 ones. One ten (record in the tens column) and 3 ones (record in ones)

Sorry about the terrible images, I just quickly did something up. 

Get the Chart here - This is the first time I'm trying Google Docs, so please let me know if it doesn't work. 

Keep your eye out for a Place Value pack that I'll be adding to TpT soon - it is about 55 pages so far, and there is still much to go. I've kept the pack very simple - not much colour or graphics (instead print on color paper) to cut down on ink. 


The document is two pages - laminate them together to make a large PV chart  to fit the bundling sticks or connecting cubes. Also see my Tens and Ones Dominoes. 

Buggy Addition Concept Maps - Letter size version

I've had a request for my Buggy Addition Concept Maps to come in letter size version so here they are. 

No need for the cards, just laminate and use a dry erase marker.

I'm almost finished with subtraction, multiplication and division concept maps so they'll be up soon. Follow my TpT store or blog to be updated when they are uploaded.

FREEBIE - Buggy Addition Concept Mats

Ok just one more for today! Here I have a freebie of bug themed place value mats.

Place the cards on top of the mat, read the story, use materials to work out the answer then write on the cards.

Cards are made with add 0 and count on 1, 2, and 3 number facts and their turnarounds.

Get them here.