Activities to Teach Students to Complete Addition and Subtraction Sentences
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Addition and subtraction are fundamental mathematical concepts that students learn in the early years of their education. However, mastering addition and subtraction can be tricky for some students. As a teacher or tutor, it is important to have a variety of activities that help teach students to complete addition and subtraction sentences. In this article, we’ll explore some engaging and fun activities to help students develop their addition and subtraction skills.
1. Number Tiles
Number tiles are a hands-on and engaging way to teach addition and subtraction. For this activity, students will need a set of number tiles, which can be purchased online or made at home from foam or cardboard. To practice addition, students should take two number tiles and place them next to each other to form a number sentence. For example, if they choose a 5 tile and a 3 tile, they would place them side by side to make 5 + 3 = ___. Then, they can use additional tiles to complete the sentence or hold up fingers to show the answer. For subtraction, students would start with a larger number tile and remove a smaller one to complete the sentence. For example, with the same 5 and 3 tiles, they could create a subtraction sentence 5 – 3 = ___.
2. Board Games
Board games are a fun way to practice math skills while also incorporating playtime. To teach addition and subtraction, there are several board games that can be used such as Math Dice, Sum Swamp, and Math-Builders. These games are designed to help students practice computation while having fun. For example, Math Dice involves rolling two dice and then adding or subtracting the two numbers to find the answer. Students can then move their game piece the correct number of spaces based on their answer.
3. Flashcards
Flashcards are a classic tool for teaching math facts, and they can be used for addition and subtraction. The teacher can create flashcards with simple addition and subtraction problems or purchase pre-made ones. Students can practice solving the problems on their own, with a partner or in a small group. Flashcards are also portable and can be used for quick practice on the go.
4. Word Problems
Word problems are a great way to teach students how to apply addition and subtraction to real-life situations. Teachers can create word problems that are age-appropriate and have students work in pairs or small groups to solve them. To incorporate technology, teachers can use websites such as Math Playground and IXL to find interactive word problems that students can solve on their own.
5. Math Drills
Math drills are a focused way to practice addition and subtraction. Teachers can create timed drills with a set number of problems that students need to complete within a certain amount of time. These drills can be given as homework or during class time. Teachers can also use online resources such as Math-Drills.com, which has a variety of printable worksheets that cover addition and subtraction in a range of difficulty levels.
In conclusion, there are many fun and engaging activities that teachers can use to teach students how to complete addition and subtraction sentences. Whether it’s through games, word problems, flashcards, or math drills, students can develop their skills and confidence in math through practice and repetition. These activities can help students feel more comfortable with math and ultimately lead to greater success in their academic studies.