More ways to teach decomposing
I think this blog post makes it official…I really love sharing ideas about how to teach decomposing numbers. I have written about this topic time and time and time again.
Teaching students how to decompose numbers is such a need and challenge for teachers. How do you teach decomposing to students that don’t get it? The easy answer is to provide new opportunities to practice this skill using hands-on activities and opportunities to explain their thinking. The hard part is figuring out how to provide new opportunities that aren’t repetitive and boring.
I created some new and put a twist on some familiar decomposing activities you may want to incorporate in your small group or math centers.
Show 5
Students spin the spinner and record how many more they need to make five and write an equation.
Show 10
Just like Show 5, students record how many more they need to make ten and write an equation.
Spin and Make 5
Decomposing the number five in more than one way is one of the standards for the Common Core in kindergarten. Students spin the spinner and read the number it lands on. Find the five frame that will make ten and cover it with a manipulative.
Missing Number
Students solve to find the missing number using a ten frame and write an equation.
Shake and Spill Balloons
This is a twist on a popular decomposing game. Students place five or two-colored counters in a cup and shake and spill them on the table. They place the counters in the balloons and record how they decomposed the number.
Slide and Decompose with Beads
Students represent a decomposition by sliding beads on a pipe cleaner or string. Record how you decomposed the number by writing an equation and part-part-whole mat.
Show It Four Ways
Students decompose a number by breaking into parts, writing a matching equation, showing it on a number bond and drawing a picture.
What are some decomposing activities you use in the classroom? Let me know in the comments section below.
You can find all of these activities here.
Happy Teaching!
Tee
