ACTIVITIES:

Counting Up and Down/ Addition and Subtraction

Learning objective:

1) Count and recognize “how many” in sets of objects.

2) Develop understanding of relative position of numbers on a number line.

3) Understand meanings of addition and subtraction and the relationship between the two operations.

4) Introduce the concept of zero and “below zero” (optional)

Grade Levels: Pre-K, K, 1st Grade

Number of Participants: 1-4

Activity Sequence Number: B.5

Skills:

Develops: Addition, Subtraction

Uses: Counting, Number Order

NCTM Standards:

Pre-K - 2

1.2.1 Understand meanings of addition and subtraction and relationship between the two operations.

1.2.2 Understand effects of adding and subtracting whole numbers.

1.3.2 Develop fluency with basic number combinations for addition and subtraction.

Grades 3 - 5

N/A

Grades 6 - 9

N/A

Tips & Tricks:

Some children have a difficult time “unlearning” something they learned as an absolute truth (ie: there are no numbers below zero). You have the option to gently introduce the concept of below zero without actually perform calculations for below zero. Rather than put the zero on the first step, we put it on the second step, to allow us to occasionally “dip” below zero. We’ve had good success even with kindergarteners with this optional format.