ED316 Math Buddy Lesson Plan 10/25/2011
Name of Activity: Skittles Subtraction
Mathematics Topic:The main math content I am focusing on with my activity is subtraction and specifically the concept of missing addends. I also tie in the idea of subtraction and addition being commutative, along with a mentioning of patterns in math.
Mathematical Core Objective(s):
MA.1.3 Algebra and Functions Students use number sentences with the symbols +, -, and = to solve problems.
MA.1.6 Problem Solving Students make decisions about how to set up a problem.
MA.2.3 Algebra and Functions Students model, represent, and interpret number relationships to create and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
MA.2.3.1 Algebra and Functions Relate problem situations to number sentences involving addition and subtraction.
MA.2.3.4 Algebra and Functions Create, describe, and extend number patterns using addition and subtraction.
Grade Level(s): This activity can be used with 1st and 2nd graders
Materials Needed: Skittles, a White Board, and paper/pen
Description of the Activity:Landen had asked me in the previous lesson if I could bring in any candy for him since it was drawing closer to Halloween and had noticed other buddies receiving candy. Seeing that Landen was really interested in doing something math related with Skittles I told him I would love to create an activity for him. I figured he would be more engaged in the lesson given that candy he liked was involved. My lesson focused on missing addends. I started off by opening each bag and having Landen count. After we had counted them as a whole I started to take some away and ask him to write on the white board the subtraction sentence that we created. I also had him draw representations to help him count out the Skittles if he needed to. Together we worked through various problems with the Skittles and the White Board.
Assessment:
I created a sheet written in mark that has various problems of subtraction and addition that have missing numbers which were boxed in red. At the end of our lesson I will give Landen the assessment and let him use whatever tools he would like to figure out the answers. I also had written a question on the back asking him if he noticed anything about the problem selection. After he answers the question we will discuss.
Reflection:
The lesson plan I think could have been more structured but I really wanted to see what direction Landen would take it. He loved the materials that we used which I think was a positive and negative for they both kept him in engaged but also distracted him at times. I felt overall though the lesson went well. He was starting to really catch on to the missing addends concept and after we discussed the relationship between subtraction and addition. He even stated he was beginning to see a “pattern” with the problems on the assessment. I was just so proud of his level of engagement along with him growth in math he was definitely way more confident in his subtraction problems then he was in the beginning of our time together.