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Goals: To use pictures and manipulatives to solve addition and subtraction problems
Time Required: 40 minutes
Materials: "Picture Problems" student reproducible, dry erase board and markers, and colorful drawing supplies. Try these creative supplies from Sanford:
- Mr. Sketch® Premium-Quality Watercolor Markers
- Paper Mate® Retractable Colored Pens
- Foohy™ Colored Pencils
- uni-ball® Vision EliteTM/MC Rollerball Colored Pens
- Expo® Dry Erase Markers
- Paper Mate® Mirado® Cedar Pencils
- Expo® Vis-à-Vis® Wet Erase Markers
Background Discussion:
1. Write several equations on your dry erase board that your students will find challenging, such as:
- a. 10 - 5 =
- b. 5 + 6 =
- c. 7 - 3 =
- d. 13 + 2 =
2. Explain that some math problems are complicated. Ask: What tools could we use to solve these problems? (Fingers, number line, memory, etc.)
3. Hold up a large package of brightly colored Sharpie®, Expo®, or Mr. Sketch® markers. Explain the benefits of using objects or pictures to help visualize number problems. [HINT: Expo® Vis-à-Vis® Wet Erase Markers are great for making templates on your dry erase board. You can refer to them as long as you'd like until wiped off with a wet cloth or Expo® cleaner.]
4. Solve the problems on the board using the markers as counting aids (e.g., hold up ten markers, then remove five and have students count how many are left).
Kindergarten: Using the Student Reproducible:
1. Distribute a copy of the "Picture Problems" student reproducible to each student. Read the directions and complete the first problem together using colorful Sanford drawing supplies.
2. Instruct students to answer the remaining questions on their own. As students work, circulate and provide one-on-one help to clarify any confusion.
3. If desired, complete the bonus question together.
Grades 1-2: Using the Student Reproducible:
1. Distribute a copy of the "Picture Problems" student reproducible to each student. Provide colorful Sanford drawing supplies so students can draw the answers to the word problems.
2. Review the answers together and clarify any confusion. Then instruct students to create their own picture problems in the space at the bottom of the page.
3. Later, ask students to trade papers with a friend and solve the new problem.
Challenge!
Use pictures to help solve a more complex, real-life math problem. Choose a topic that is of interest to your students, such as one of the following:
- a. Of all the students in the classroom, how many are wearing sneakers?
(Total number of students - non-sneaker-wearing students = answer.)
- b. Of all the classrooms in the building, how many are first-grade classes? (Total number of classrooms - non-first-grade classes = answer.)
- c. How many grocery stores are in your town? (Adding a list of similar items.)
- d. How many students have a dog? How many have a cat? What is the total number of students who have dogs and cats?
Instruct students to create a picture problem that shows the answer to the question.
Picture Problems
Student Name:
Use your noodle to solve these yummy problems!
3 + 2 = ___
2 - 1 = ___
4 - 2 = ____
2 + 1= ___
Bonus!
Use this space to draw your own sticky picture problem. Then trade papers with a friend and see if he or she can solve it!
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