Mrs. Storch, Math Coach

This year, we will be focusing on becoming fluent with the addition combinations up to 10 + 10. Students learn these combinations over the course of the year. Combination sets include:

Make Ten (combinations of 10 with two numbers like 8 + 2)
Plus 1 (any number plus one like 1 + 8)
Plus 2 (any number plus two like 3 + 2)
Doubles (any number plus itself like 5 + 5)
Near Doubles (any number close to a double like 5 + 6)
Plus 10 (any number added to 10 like 3 + 10)
Plus 9 (any number added to 9 like 3 + 9)

Students will learn these combinations through frequent and repeated use. In school, we will be playing several games that help students learn particular combinations. Students will also play some of these games for homework, such as Plus 1 or 2 Bingo and Make 10.
Students will learn these combinations through frequent and repeated use. In school, we will be playing several games that help students learn particular combinations. Students will also play some of these games for homework, such as Plus 1 or 2 Bingo and Make 10.

We will also be using “Combinations Cards” to help students practice. We are not encouraging students to memorize these combinations! We are encouraging students to find efficient ways to solve the combinations. For example, look at the sample cards below:

We want to encourage students to efficiently (quickly and accurately) solve basic addition combinations. We are doing this by having students think of clues to help them solve the combinations. They may write the clues on their practice cards to help them. For example, if they are familiar with the double combination of 6+6, they may choose to look at 6+7 as one more than 6+6. If they are more familiar with the combination 7+7, they may choose to look at the combination as 7+7-1. There are many different ways to look at these combinations. Again, we are stressing that we are NOT looking for memorization, but efficiency and problem solving.

Money

What should your child know about money this year?

-to recognize the value of coins by picture and by name (example- know what a dime looks like and what is is worth as well as knowing the word "dime.")

-to count values of money (example - if your child has a small handful of coins, he/she should be able to tell you how much money is in the pile. We typically only use values up to $1.00 at this time of the school year.)

-to tell you how much change students will get back when purchasing something for less than $1.00. (example- I have $.75 and I want to purchase something for $.25. How much change will I receive?)

How can class activities be reinforced at home?

This is a great activity to work on with your child at home. Have your child help you clip coupons from the paper (or even from sites on the net that have coupons to use). Gather change from around your house and have your child decide how many of each coin will be needed to equal the amount on the coupon. Have your child count the amount of money and practice writing it as well.