Math in First Grade

First grade math consists of a variety of skills including concepts,

computation, and problem solving.  The more the students practice these

skills, the more proficient they become in math.  Our math routine includes

our morning meeting at the calendar each morning, daily fact practice, a

lesson with hands on learning, as well as written practice.

Calendar skills

We begin each day with a fifteen minute morning meeting. During this meeting we update our class

calendar and work on a variety of skills which revolve around the calendar.  You can help prepare

your child for this by discussing the day of the week in terms of yesterday, today, and tomorrow on

the way to school.  The students need to know there are 7 days in a week, 12 months in a year, and

365 days in a year.  They also need to know how to find the date on the calendar.

We practice counting to one hundred by ones, twos, fives, and tens forwards and backwards.

We record the weather on the weather graph and record this information in our daily news.

Math Facts

The mastery of addition and subtraction facts is a vital part of success in first grade.  The class practices

daily using flashcards, drill sheets, reviewing charts with numbers concepts and addition and subtraction

strategies.  Students make and receive flashcards each time a new set of facts is introduced to take home

and practice.  The students are taught a variety of strategies to find solutions to all problems and are

encouraged to use the strategy that works best for them.  I focus on touch math (adding or subtracting

by counting up or back using dots placed strategically on numbers) and using number sense.

Number sense is a thorough understanding of how numbers work.  It is really helpful for 
students to have a basic understanding of number concepts such as:

adding zero: anytime zero is added to a number the answer stays the same

adding one:  anytime one is added to a number the sum is the next number

adding two:  anytime two is added to a number, you count up two from the higher number

adding ten:  when ten is added to a number, the number in the ones place stays the same and the number in the tens places goes up 1

doubles:  adding matching addends (ex:  1+1, 2+2, 3+3) these are memorized because they are easy to remember

doubles plus one:  adding numbers to numbers that are one more than the other addend (ex:  1+2, 2+3, 3+4)

When adding sums of ten, the order of the number does not matter, you can always count up by saying the higher number and counting up.

subtracting zero:  when zero is subtracted from a number, the difference is the top number

subtracting one:  when one is subtracted from a number, you count back one

There are several links to fun sites to practice facts on the Students and Games People Play pages.

If your child uses their fingers to add and subtract, and that is the strategy they feel the most comfortable using,

I would never try to stop them.  First graders should be able to add and subtract two digit numbers without regrouping.

Money

First graders should know the value of a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar.

First graders should be able to count money using pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.

Please practice counting pennies, nickels, and dimes with your child.

If it is difficult then begin with just pennies, then go to pennies and dimes, then pennies, dimes, and nickels.

Just letting you child count the change left in your pocket at the end of the day is better than no practice.

Don't let them talk you into giving your change to them, or they will expect it every night, and the next thing

you know they are rich and you are broke.

Time:  First graders should be able to tell time to the hour and half hour on an analog and digital clock.

First graders should be able to say the time to the half hour as half past the hour or as (hour)thirty.

Fractions

First graders should be able to recognize one-half, one-third, and one-fourth fractions.

Story Problems

First graders should be able to solve story problems with addition or subtraction.

You can help practice these skills by helping your child make up stories about

household objects.

	For example: I had two cookies.

			I ate one.

			How many cookies do I have left?  Let them tell you the number sentence.   2-1=1

Measurement

First graders should be able to measure using nonstandard units (measuring in paper clips), centimeters, and inches.

First graders should also be able to recognize the best scale for objects by size.

Place Value

First graders should be able to identify the place value of numbers to the hundreds place.

	(For example:  the number in the tens place of 267 is 6)

This is one of the more difficult skills for first graders.  You can practice by asking them what number

is in either the hundereds, tens, or ones place in two and three digit numbers.

First Grade Hands-On Math Activities

Count and determine the value of a collection of the same type of coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters) whose total value is $1.00 or less.
Count and determine the value of a mixed collection of coins (combinations of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters) whose total value is $1.00 or less.
Know the exchange value of coins. For example, how many nickels have the same value as a dime.
Measure weight and length with non-standard measurements. For example, how many paper clip lengths are the same as the length and width of a piece of paper.
Compare the capacities of two containers and describe the relative capacities as holding more, less or the same, or being larger, smaller or the same size.
Compare the weight of two objects using a scale or balance and describe the relative weight as heavier, lighter or the same weight.
Compare the length of two objects and describe the relative length as longer, shorter or the same length. Learn the terms taller, shorter, wider and narrower.
Describe how objects are located in space in relation to other objects such as near, far, close by, below, above, up, down, beside, next to, to the right of, to the left of etc.
Draw geometric figures such as circles, triangles, rectangles and squares.
Describe common geometric figures by the number of straight or curved sides, angles, corners and square corners.
Find geometric shapes in common objects (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles).
Display collected information in an object graph. Describe the categories by the relative terms more, less, fewer, greater than, less than and about equal.
Sort and classify objects by similar characteristics, e.g. circles, squares, rectangles, triangles.
Sort and classify objects by two characteristics, e.g. blue triangles, large circles, etc.
Create, recognize, describe and extend a variety of patterns such as numbers, letters, shapes, colors, size, rhythmic and actions.

**First Grade Hands-On Math Activities**

First Grade Hands-On Math Activities