What are Numbers?: Learning to Add

LESSON: WHAT ARE NUMBERS? AND LEARNING TO ADD
SUBJECT AREA(S): MATH, WRITING, & TECHNOLOGY
GRADE LEVEL: KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST

The purpose of this lesson for Kindergarten is to be able to identify numbers from 0-20 and be able to show quantities to 20. Students will work cooperatively in small groups and take pictures of items demonstrating the number(s) we are learning about. Students will then form the number shape using their bodies and take pictures of what that number looks like. Students will write a book telling about their pictures and numbers. The picture books will be linked on the district web site to share with family and community members.

The purpose of Learning to Add is for first grade students to make up number sentences and showing that sentence using the pictures of a digital camera. Students will create their own story problems and illustrate it any way they choose using the digital camera. Students will work in small groups and create a classroom workbook of number sentences that will have meaning to them and will be exciting for them to solve.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, the students will:
-be able to use and operate a digital camera
-be able to identify numbers 0-20
-be able to show one to one correspondence with manipulatives from 1-20.
-be able to write simple sentences describing their book
-be able to share their experience with members of their family and members of our community
-be able to write a story problem
-be able to problem solve
-work cooperatively with peers

ILLINOIS STATE LEARNING STANDARDS LESSON WOULD CORRELATE WITH:

STATE GOAL 3: WRITE TO COMMUNICATE FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES
*3.A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.
*3.B. Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.
*3.C. Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.

STATE GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.
*5.A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas.

STATE GOAL 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.
*6.A. Demonstrate knowledge and use of numbers and their representations in a broad range of theoretical and practical settings.

*6.B. Investigate, represents and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.

*6.C. Compute and estimate using mental mathematics, papers-and-pencil methods, calculators and computers.

STATE GOAL 8: Use algebraic and analytical methods to identify and describe patterns and relationships in data, solve problems and predict results.

*8.A. Describe numerical relationships using variables and patterns.

*8.C. Solve problems using systems of numbers and their properties.

STATE GOAL 10: Collect, organize and analyze data using statistical methods; predict results; and interpret uncertainty using concepts of probabilility.

*10.B. Formulate questions, design data collection methods, gather and analyze data and communicate findings.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

The lesson will be introduced with a letter formulated by the principal asking kindergarten students in my room to make a book for our library that would help other students in our building learn their numbers and what they look like, and asking first grade students to develop a book that would show others how to write a number sentence and that tells them how to solve the problem. The letter would include the details of what the book has to include (numbers 1-20 or a specific number of number sentences), who will be reading the books, and why our school needs these books.

ACTIVITIES

Day 1: Read the letter from the principal and discuss with the children how we could develop such a book. Show students digital camera and how to work it. Let students practice taking pictures of one another.

Day 2: Encourage students to use their imagination of items they will use in their book. Take them outside on a walk to use different items in nature, encourage them to use classmates or teachers for illustrations, discuss asking the principal and secretary to pose for a picture. In groups students will decide what pictures they will take.

Day 3: Students will get in groups and locate and photograph items 1-10, first grade will make pictures for five number sentences.

Day 4: Students will work in groups and take remaining pictures for book.

Day 5: Students will write a rough draft of book, teacher will pull groups and take pictures of number pose for kindergarten.

Day 6: Student-Teacher conferences to be held with each group to help with spelling, grammar, and complete sentences.

Day 7: Students will work in groups at the computers to type stories and insert pictures from digital cameras.

Day 8: Students will continue to write and complete their books.

Day 9: Students will print out their books and assemble them.

Day 10: Principal will be invited into the room so students can present their books to him and read them aloud.