Tens and Ones

Although many of our students know how to add double-digit numbers using the standard algorithm, sometimes the conceptual understanding behind the math gets lost or forgotten.  To warm up our double-digit addition skills in this unit, we went back to representing numbers using base ten blocks.  In groups of three, students chose the correct pieces to respresent two addends of an addition problem.  When they combined (added) their pieces together, they were able to identify whether they could regroup ten ones blocks as a single tens rod.  The banker helped them make the trade, and students could then identify the final solution to the addition problem.  Keeping this concrete process in mind will allow them to make greater sense of the more abstract process of regrouping ones as tens using the algorithm.
 

Adding Tens or Ones

Our enthusiasm and competitive nature were sparked with this game on the hundreds chart.  In pairs, students took turns rolling a die, and decided whether to move that number of ones or tens, with the goal being to land on 99 exactly.  If a student was able to land on the same number as his/her partner, the partner got booted back to square 1! 
 

Fun with Data

As an introduction to data, surveys, and tally charts, students each created their own survey question with answer choices.  Next, they set up a tally chart to gather data from their peers.  As a class, we did a gallery walk in the hallway and responded to every student's survey question.  Students were then able to use their data to create a pictograph on a folder paper.  Learning is much more meaningful when we can personalize it!