Welcome to another week of mathematics! If you seem to be scratching your head over some of your child's homework, you are NOT alone! Topics as simple as counting, number sense and basic operations can seem really difficult if you learned a different way! I understand how challenging it can be to help your child complete their homework if you are having trouble understanding the concepts yourself. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! I have provided one of the workbook pages from Chapter 3 and a visual for your reference. In these step-by-step visuals, I created different scenarios for each number pair (ex: 4+2=6 OR 3+3=6).
Lets look at the worksheet here:
Here we are given the "ten frame" or two rows of 5 boxes. Most people find it easiest to recognize sets of 5 in two rows, therefore we will use the "ten frame" to teach counting and basic operations.
The directions ask that you use two-color counters to model the different ways to make "6". This requires your child to use a hands on approach, and physically manipulate the counters in order to come up with an answer.
Now let's take a look at the first example I have demonstrated:
Here, we see 5 yellow counters in the first row, and 1 pink counter in the second row. When counting all together, we can see 6. Encourage your child to talk out loud as they are counting and placing each yellow and pink counter. Count along with your child as they place each counter down on the page.
The next example provided shows another way to make 6:
Here, we see 3 yellow counters and 3 pink counters placed in the "ten frame". As you are going through this worksheet with your child, remember that wrong answers or multiple attempts are always encouraged and used to teach!
Here is another way to make 6 with the yellow and pink counters:
and finally, we can make 6 without using any pink counters at all. 6 yellow counters and 0 pink counters, still make 6!
It is important to teach students the model and count method as it is going to be the foundation for all future math lessons. When we teach counting and modeling as it is shown here, we are building upon what they already know and can do with ease. If students can count to 6 by modeling this way, they will have a much easier time learning addition. For example, if you can make 6 with 4 yellow counters and 2 pink counters, you can add 4+2=6 ! Using hands on approaches such as the one above can help your child visualize and work out concepts as they go.
Still confused?! Here is a great video tutorial explaining Model and Count from Chapter 3!
Good luck and remember to have FUN :)
Oh wow!! Thanks for the explanation!! I was going nuts when my daughter who's on VPK brought this home.
ReplyDeleteWhat is absolutely confusing on this is that there is no way to do all four scenarios in the counting blocks at one time. Are we suppose to just do one scenario? This to me is a completely confusing assignment. There should be 4 different counting blocks sections to do each scenario instead of just one.
ReplyDelete