Halloween & Fall Fun-Introduction to 5 & 10-Frame

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  Halloween & Fall Fun 

The Introduction to the 5 & 10-Frames

Turn over a number and find the frame

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I'd love to share a fun Halloween and 10-frame idea with you.

Pumpkin 10-Frame

I have experimented with different activities to introduce my kindergarteners to how and why to use a 5-frame. Some students had difficulty connecting the concrete idea with more abstract unit frames, and thus, engagement wasn't as high as I wanted.

This posting outlines my latest and most successful (so far) way of introducing the 5-10 frames concept. The 10-frame is a useful strategy and will assist the understanding of decomposing numbers and addition activities.

I found these fun pumpkin ice cube trays at the Dollar Tree-of course, for $1.00 each. It seemed like they would be much more engaging for a beginning introduction lesson than the usual cut-apart egg cartons I had been using.

Use to introduce a 5-frame

Firstly, I start with the idea of the 5-frame, so I cover up the bottom 5 in the '10 frame'. Tape a piece of paper over the bottom part so only the 5-frames are visible. Get your students familiar with the order of the frame spaces. Start at the top left and move to the right-exactly as reading a page in a book.

At this point, only give each student the numbered sticks 1-5. Turn each number stick face down, so they see the sticker and not the number. Select one number stick and turn it over. Whatever the number, count that may spaces

Use 5 or 10 numbers for your frame

in the 1-5 frame. Counting by 1's, place a pompon in each area until you have that many spaces filled. Suppose you turn over a 4, count to 4, and set a pompom in each frame. Clear the spaces and select another number stick.

Compare With Pumpkin 5-frame

Continue until all the sticks have been turned over. To help make a connection and better understand the more abstract 5-frame, display the 5-frame to your students.

Start a discussion comparing the ice cube tray frame and the 5-frame. What do your students notice? There have been occasions that I have asked students to use their journals to briefly write what they observed.

Once you believe your students understand the concept and purpose of the 5-frame, take the tape off the tray, so students see all the 10 spaces. Demonstrate how to use the bottom row-same as the top row-start left to right (again like reading a page to 10 with the 10-frame.

You may want to display this 10-frame on the board. Have students discuss with a buddy how the 10-frame is like the 5-frame. How are they different? Write their responses on the board as an extra visual.

Once you believe your students understand the concept and purpose of the 5-frame, take the tape off the tray so students see all the 10 spaces Demonstrate how to use the bottom row-same as the top row-start left to right (again like reading a page to 10 with the 10-frame.

Turn over a number stick

Compare to Pumpkin 10-frame

Using the pumpkin 10-frame, give the students 10 pompons and all 10 numbered sticks. Play the 10-frame number game as you did the 5-frame, by turning over a number, one at a time. Counting by 1's, place a pompom in each space for that number.

Stickers on the back of each stick

               

Suppose you turn over an 8. Fill in the top row and immediately go to the bottom row-again left to right.   Clear the spaces and select another number stick until all the numbers have been turned over. It will be easy for students to quickly clean up the activity if they check the back stickers to ensure they are all the same design. Place the sticks with the same stickers in baggies or other containers for other uses. In the next blog, I will discuss how I use the same materials to add and subtract.

Stay tuned!

 

The Many Uses of 'Links' In Your Math Centers

What Else Can I Do With 'Links'?

MATH CENTER IDEAS

In my last post, I discussed possible ways to use Links with patterning activities. When I use a manipulative, I try to think of other skills in which teachers can use it to cut down on additional cost and storage space.

I also love to use Links at Math Stations or small group work in areas other than patterning. Let's talk about building concrete experiences with 1 to 1 counting, beginning addition, subtraction and multiplication skills also using the Links. If you do not have that material in your classroom, select another material that is readily available, which will serve the same goal.        

1 to 1 Matching

1 to 1 Matching

1 to 1 Counting With Objects and Links

I found these 1-20 Numerals Flash Cards at The Dollar Tree, one of my favorite places to find inexpensive items for the classroom. Use Links or any counting material to represent 1 to 1 representation of that numeral. To represent the 5 objects on the card shown here, I used the Links in no particular color or order and your students may see a different way to show that number. On my second number 8, I used 2 red, 3 blue, and 3 yellow links. If you wanted a simple follow-up assessment, ask them to write that numeral in their journal.

Using Links for 1 to 1 object matching

Using Links to match number and objects

Both types of card usage

Another simple differentiation activity for children not quite ready to associate a numeral with 1 to 1 counting, uses a different set of number cards. Cut off the numeral on the top of the cards you want to use and students could match 1 to 1 Links to an object.  
There are several examples of each number in the card deck so you can make a set with the number and the objects.
ready to associate 

More Number Matching

Free digit cards

Row of sequential numbers

Number Sheet Used

These free digit cards and the number sheet are available at the bottom of this posting? Just click on each sheet and print. Please leave a comment about how it works for you and also follow me if you want to be friends!

Use this as a math center, independent task or quick 1 to 1 counting assessment-use Links and plain digit number cards with no objects if that is the goal. 

A tip--When you run off the numerals and number sheet, be sure to use stiff paper, such as cardstock, so it won’t be too bendable. On my initial use of these, my paper was not sturdy enough so when the Links were applied it was too weak to support the weight of the material.

Another mistake I made on my first try was punching the hole too far up on the paper. The Link wouldn’t extend that far up to go through the hole! If you use colored paperclips, you might encounter the same issue.

Beginning Addition Idea

These Dollar Tree’s Addition Flash Cards were perfect for how I wanted to use addition facts. Select the facts you wish students to review and use only those cards. I like to have them select 2 different color Links (or other materials, if no Links available), to demonstrate their understanding of putting together 2 addends to make that total sum.

Addition using 2 addends

It is very important to consistently incorporate math vocabulary in your classroom-verbally, in your display areas-any manner that is going to make the meaning understandable to your students.

Beginning Subtraction Idea----

Using Subtraction Flash Cards, manipulate the Links around to show the differences between the two numbers. Demonstrate how to link together material to represent the higher number. 

String together Links to represent
The high number

Then take away or remove
The smaller number.

How many Links are left?
What is the difference
between the two numbers?

Beginning Multiplication Ideas

Count by 2's-multiply by 2's.

Use the same number sheet for multiplying by 2’s or use as counting by 2’s. Cut out the strip(s) of numbers you wish to use and hole punch for the Links to attach.

Multiply by groups of 3's

When we work on multiplication with children who need more concrete activities, it is helpful to link the pieces together in groups of 3’s, 4’s or whatever family of facts you are targeting. Below I used them for multiplication families of 3’s and 4’s.

Multiply by groups of 4's

   Have your students record their findings in their journals.  Click below to print the digit cards and the number sheet.