The Number Line

This week we focused on the number line. The number line is easily forgotten in the scheme of math, but is the most important component in Kindergarten math after one-to-one correspondence. So many skills can be taught from a number line alone. To practice the number line, we do a variety of activities. Check them out:

 Human Number Line

Finding the correct place in the number line is important and needs to be worked on often.

The following photos are from our Boxcars and One-Eyed Jacks math program. 

This program uses dice, dominoes and playing cards to teach number sense to children (and adults!)

Each week we play a specific game. This one is a dice game. We play the game a minimum of 3 times and then write about our math on Fridays. My students are making a math journal that they will be able to take home at the end of the year. Not only is Boxcars engaging, but it brings in a variety of skills, including social and emotional, critical thinking, and reading and writing.

This week we played a dice game in which students rolled a dice with a partner and placed their dice on the number line (a ruler).

 On Friday we wrote about our math in our journal. I am more a facilitator than an active teacher during our journals. Students have learned the game and can play the game on their own. Now, they need to take what they have learned, gather data, and write about it. Here are some of their examples:

 As you can see, I am not correcting their work as they go. We will discuss their journal writing after the lesson is complete. Because a growth mindset involves critical thinking, failing, and trying again, I let them work through the problem before we hold our discussion. Then, they will try again. 

I love making math more than just a subject in school. It is a part of life, both fun and not-so-fun. But, it is important either way. 

We look forward to having a Kindergarten Family Math Game Night in which parents will be able to play these games with their child. It will be so much fun!