Math Strategies

Using carefully created story problems is an effective way for me to see what strategies the children use independently in their thinking and problem solving. We also use "number talks" in which the children solve problems in their heads and verbalize their strategies. In kindergarten and first they used strategies such as count all and count up. In first grade they expanded their bank of strategies to partners of 10 (explained in an earlier post), doubles, doubles plus 1, and a few more. In second grade we put an emphasis on efficiently and accurately using strategies and known facts to solve new facts. We will continue doubles (6+6), doubles plus 1 (knowing that 6+6=12 so 6+7= 13), making 10 ( 7+5 is 7+3+2 and 7+3 are partners of 10 so add the left over 2 to get 12). In our journals we draw a picture, a written equation, and words to explain our strategies. This will lead to new strategies such as knowing that numbers can transfer as 31+29 is the same as 30+30 and by the end of the year we will be doing much of this as mental math! 

Check out the journal work below!