Illustrative Mathematics
Field Day Scarcity
Introduce young mathematicians to concepts of financial literacy with this open-ended word problem. With seven dollars to spend during field day and given a list of available items and their prices, children must determine how they want...
Curated OER
Why Mastery of Math Facts is Important
Discover why young mathematicians should master their math facts and use this strategy to motivate their proficiency.
Curated OER
Book Title: Ten Flashing Fireflies
This instructional activity engages learners in a variety of activities to build 1 to 1 correspondence, estimation, and problem solving skills. They discuss problem solving strategies, hear the story Ten Flashing Fireflies, compose their...
Noyce Foundation
Movin 'n Groovin
Examine the consequences of varying speed. An engaging set of five problem sets challenges young mathematicians by targeting a different grade level from K-12. In the initial lesson, scholars make conclusions about the time it takes two...
Noyce Foundation
Miles of Tiles
Create number sentences and equations to solve geometric problems. Each activity in the series of five asks young mathematicians to consider different-sized tiles to build structures according to specific criteria. The first activities,...
Curated OER
Mouse Count
How many ways can you arrange ten mice? After listening to the story, Mouse Count by Ellen Stone Walsh, it's the young scholars' turn to figure out how their mice can be organized, with some inside a jar and some out. Using visual and...
American Library Association
Even and Odd Numbers: Lesson Plans and Sample Problems
If your youngsters are new to numbers, here are several interactive strategies to get them thinking about even and odd numbers. For example, they can count the number of desks, people, etc. in the room and determine if it is even or odd....
Curated OER
Domain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Practice basic operations for young mathematicians in fun ways! Using two decks of cards (Ace through 10 plus the joker), learners play "memory" by matching numbers that can be added to make 10 and writing number sentences. In another...
Curated OER
Solve Story Problems: Sold! A Mathematics Adventure
Young mathematicians listen to the book Sold!: A Mathematics Adventure by Nathan Zimelman where they encounter ways to solve story problems. They then create and solve start unknown addition and subtraction equations. Resource builds in...
K-5 Math Teaching Resources
Show Your Work Recording Paper
"Show your work!" It's the math teacher's mantra. Support your class with meeting this reasonable requirement with this set of recording paper templates.
BBC
Simple Addition and Subtraction
Here is a wonderful lesson plan designed for young mathematicians. In it, they employ simple addition and subtraction strategies in order to solve word problems. There are some excellent activity sheets embedded in the plan to make the...
Curated OER
Measurements: Inches
Children solve problems involving measurement using information taken from various items measured (wooden blocks and boxes). This is a particularly good instructional activity to use when introducing how to use a ruler and how to add...
Curated OER
Counting From One
Students continue to practice counting by ones. Individually, they are given a story problem from their teacher and count numbers in their head only saying the final answer. To end the lesson, they count the objects in their classroom.
Curated OER
Part-Whole Mats
A part-whole mat is a great way to practice simple addition using math manipulatives. Learners choose a number card and place it at the top of their mat. Using counters, they record the different number pairs which would add together to...
Curated OER
Snack Time
Students explore mathematics by participating in a snack eating activity. In this math problem solving instructional activity, students utilize different children's snacks as visual aides in a variety of math problems. Students receive...
Illustrative Mathematics
What’s Missing?
Now you see them, now you don't! This fun peek-a-boo activity engages young mathematicians in developing their ability to compose and decompose numbers. After being presented with a series of counters, children close their eyes while the...
Curated OER
Ravishing Rings (Multiplication with a Snack)
Young scholars understand multiplication through the use of snack manipulatives. For this multiplication lesson, students solve a multiplication problem using pretzels and then create and answer original problems. Young scholars analyze...
Curated OER
Swimmy's Friends
Students solve problems using various strategies. In this problem solving lesson plan, students read the book Swimmy by Leo Lionni. Students make fish swimming patterns, measure how many goldfish crackers it takes to make a handprint and...
Curated OER
It Counts
Learners explore how numbers can identify objects. In this math lesson, students determine how numbers are used to describe objects used in quantitative data collection.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Comparing Sets
Young scholars count back with cubes to model subtraction problems. In this subtraction lesson plan, students compare sets of problems and record their results in a table.
Curated OER
Tiles, Blocks, Sapphires & Gold: Designing a Treasure Map
Young cartographers in groups hide treasure at school and then create a map to find it using pattern blocks and tiles. They make paintings with clues to create a visual representation of the location of their treasure. Groups present...
Curated OER
It Counts
Students classify and compare plants using specific information, observations, and numbers. In this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use plant characteristics to describe, compare, and classify them. They attempt to develop a system...
Curated OER
Building Sets of 13 and 14
Compose and decompose sets of 13 and 14 and compare sets of each with your little learners. They use objects to construct sets of 13 and 14, record their answers, and compare sets in several different ways.
Curated OER
Odd and even
Learners play a game requiring them to select groups of odd or even numbers of objects with the aim of reaching a total which is an odd number. They carry out a more formal investigation of patterns in additions of odd and even numbers.