Subtraction Strategies - Mental Math

Dear Parents, we just finished learning how to subtract numbers up to 18 mentally (in our head).  Subtraction proved to be a bit more challenging than addition, so please review and practise these strategies with your children.  Many students have unfinished subtraction work, so I am sending it home to be completed over the holiday break.  Please help your child with applying the strategies, rather than focussing on getting the right answer. 

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Subtraction Strategy:

Counting back 1, 2, or 3

When subtracting 1, 2, or 3, start with the greater number and count back.

See:     10 - 2 =                          See:    11 - 3 =           

Think:  10 … 9, 8                    Think: 11 … 10, 9, 8

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Subtraction Strategy:

Zero Facts

When you take away all, 0 is left.

See:     7 - 7 =                      

Think:  Take away all, 0 is  left.          

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Subtraction Strategy:

Zero Facts

When you take away 0 from any number, the number stays the same.

See:     8 - 0 =       

Think:  Take away 0, leave all. 

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Subtraction Strategy:

Doubles

When you subtract half of a number, think of the doubles picture.

See:     14 - 7 =                        See:     10 - 5 =        

Think:  days in 2 weeks       Think: fingers on each hand     

                                               

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Subtraction Strategy:

Counting Up

When the numbers are close neighbours, 

count up.

See:     11 - 9 =                         

Think:  9…10, 11 à That’s 2.          

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Subtraction Strategy:

Think Addition

When subtracting from a teen number, think of the related addition fact.

See:     13 - 8 =                         

Think:  8 + 5 = 13 , so 13 – 8 = 5            

Primary and Secondary Colours

This term in art, we have been learning about how to mix together the primary colours (red, yellow and blue) to make the secondary colours (purple, green and orange).  We made some bugs using red, yellow and blue plasticene.  We mixed two colours at a time to make the secondary colours. Take a look!



Hanukkah Dreidels

Last week we learned about the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.  We learned that it is celebrated for 8 nights.  Children play the dreidel game with their friends and family.  We made dreidels in class and played using counters.  It was fun to play!

Addition Strategies - Mental Math

Dear Parents, we have been learning many different addition strategies to help us add numbers mentally (in our head). That means no fingers or number lines!  Please review and practise these strategies with your children.  Next term, we will be learning 2-digit addition, and knowing these strategies are the foundation for your child's future success.  Flash cards from dollarama are a good tool to help reinforce these concepts.

                                                                                                            

Addition Strategy:

Counting on

1, 2, or 3

When one of the numbers is 1, 2, or 3, start with the greater number and count on.

See:        7 + 2 =                   See:       3 + 9 =        

Think:  7 … 8, 9                 Think: 9 … 10, 11, 12

                                                                                                            

Addition Strategy:

Zero Facts

When 0 is added to any number, the number stays the same.

See:     6 + 0 =                           See:     0 + 9 =           

Think:  6                                   Think:  9

                                                                                                            

Addition Strategy:

Turnarounds

In addition, turnarounds have the same answer.

See:     9 + 2 =          

Think:  2 + 9 = 11, so 9 + 2 = 11

                                                                                                            

Addition Strategy:

Doubles

When the numbers are the same, think of the picture.

See:     7 + 7 =                            See:     5 + 5 =         

Think:  days in 2 weeks                      Think:  fingers on each hand     

  

                                                                                                            

  

Addition Strategy:

Doubles plus 1

When one number is 1 more than the other number, think of the doubles picture and add 1.

See:     7 + 8 =                           See:     4 + 5 =           

Think:  7 + 7 = 14…15          Think:  4 + 4 = 8…9

                                                                                                            

Addition Strategy:

Making 10

When one of the numbers is 7, 8, or 9,

make 10 and add the extras.

See:     7 + 4 =                           See:     3 + 9 =           

Think:  7 + 3 = 10                   Think:  9 + 1 = 10

         10 + 1 = 11                               10 + 2 = 12



Word Wall Words: Dec. 10 - Dec. 14

Our word wall words to practise this week are:
little

big

where

very

after

Skating - our 2nd visit

In November, we went on our second trip to Leaside arena for our skating lessons.  This time, the students were much more confident on the ice.  They used some skate trainers to help stay balanced and move around the rink.  Everyone showed improvement during this visit!

 

Waiting for the bus.

 

We were a little early, so we got to watch a hockey team practise.

 

 

On the ice!

 





Mkeka Mats for Kwanzaa!

In Social Studies, we are learning about all of the different celebrations and special days celebrated in Canada.  Last week, we learned about the African Canadian celebration of Kwanzaa.  We learned about the many symbols and traditions for Kwanzaa. 
We made mkeka mats that are used as decorations for this celebration.  We weaved red and green pieces of construction paper to make the mat.  Red, green and black are the special colours for Kwanzaa.

Level 4 Sentences

In the fall, our class created a rubric that helps us to assess our sentence writing.  We chose success criteria (captial letters, punctuation marks, good spelling and editing) to determine what makes a really good sentence.  We know that level 4 sentences are the best, and that is what we are all working to achieve!
Check out our class rubric below:

Word Wall Words: Dec. 3 - Dec. 7

Our word wall words to practise this week are:
way

come

find

down

may