First Grade Math
First grade is the time when children develop a solid understanding of math concepts. They learn about number sense, addition and subtraction, estimation, money, patterns, and more!
First Grade Math
Learning these skills can help them in many different ways. However, if you want your child to be able to succeed in the classroom, it’s important that they also enjoy the lessons they’re taking.
Number Sense
Number sense is the ability to understand numbers and their relationship with one another. It is a critical skill that students need to develop, as it gives them the tools they need to perform mental mathematics and make comparisons in the world around them.
Children develop number sense gradually over time through opportunities to explore, play and visualise numbers in different contexts. They also begin to spot relationships and predict the patterns they see in numbers.
They develop a range of mathematical strategies to help them solve problems and are flexible enough to adapt these for new situations. They are often more effective when estimating their answer and are able to find links and connections between numbers that can lead them to the solution faster.
Teaching strategies that promote early number sense include giving students opportunities to manipulate objects and combine small groups into larger groups. This can be done through moveable materials such as counters and blocks, or more static materials such as ‘dot cards’.
A good way to start counting with students is to use a hundred chart that displays numbers from one to 100. This can be a fun way to practice one-to-one correspondence and will help students get accustomed to the idea of pointing to a number as they count.
You can also use a ten frame to practice subitizing and building place value understanding. You can match the ten frame to the number card, and ask the students to say whether or not they can figure out which numbers are subitised.
This is an important part of number sense that students need to develop as they learn how to count. It is an important foundational skill that will allow them to work with more complex math for kids concepts in the future.
Addition and Subtraction – First-Grade Math
One of the most important math skills first graders learn is addition and subtraction. Students need to understand these concepts thoroughly before they can move on to other operations, such as multiplication and division.
To master these operations, students need to develop a strong grasp of place value. They also need to be able to apply their counting skills to the problem-solving process.
Counting is an important part of learning to add and subtract, as it helps students remember the sequence of numbers and build number sense. At home, you can help your child practice with objects or drawings to reinforce this concept.
Students also use word cues to help them solve addition and subtraction problems. They’ll notice that words such as “all together,” “put together,” and “in all” suggest adding, while phrases such as “how many more,” “compare,” and “find the difference” mean subtracting.
Teachers at Brighterly.com also use objects and games to challenge their students to think creatively about numbers. They may show children a group of objects and ask, “How many ways can I make 6?” or, “How many balloons are there?”
In addition to teaching the concept of place value, teachers also teach students how to count by 2s, 5s, and 10s. This skill will come in handy when they begin to solve math equations since it helps them skip count by the smallest possible numbers.
By the end of first grade, students should be able to add and subtract two-digit numbers using place value techniques. They’ll also be able to solve two-step word problems involving adding and subtracting within 20. This ability will give them a foundation for later work, including working with larger numbers and solving word problems involving length, picture graphs, and bar graphs.
Counting – Math First Grade
Counting is a foundational skill for first-grade math. It builds one-to-one correspondence, teaches number patterns, and enables kids to build base ten understanding (place value).
The key to learning counting is practicing it frequently. Children need to count out loud as a class or with partners and practice pointing to the correct number when they hear it. Using manipulatives that have a visual representation of the numbers, such as chips or coins, can also help students build this skill.
After children have mastered counting up to seven, they can begin to add to teen numbers. They can practice this with a 1-100 chart or a tens and one’s chart.
Once they’ve mastered this strategy, they can move on to adding numbers up to 120. This will help them understand that one-digit numbers can be made up of tens and ones, and three-digit numbers can be made up of hundreds and tens.
In addition to counting, kids in first grade are expected to add and subtract within 100. This will give them an introduction to place value, and they’ll need to know that 59 + 10 = 49 and that 4 – 7 10 equals 3.
When they’re ready to practice this, ask your child to compare two-digit numbers using a greater than/less than mat or a hula-hoop sorting activity. They can use a number chart to look for patterns and compare items in the same category.
First graders are also expected to learn how to tell time by both digital and analog clocks. This is a skill that will be a valuable life skill throughout elementary school. They’ll also need to learn how to write and count money.
Shapes
Shapes are an important part of first grade math. They can help students learn to count, create repeating patterns, and even measure their own bodies. They can also help students build their understanding of symmetry, and help them develop the ability to identify a number’s corresponding quantity.
Students will learn how to name shapes that have different attributes, such as color, size, orientation, and vertices (the points where two sides meet). They will also practice sorting objects by these attributes, a valuable skill for future learning.
First graders will build and draw triangles, squares, rectangles, and other basic 2-D shapes. They will also explore the concept of symmetry and how to build things like cubes and rectangular prisms.
They will also practice identifying defining and non-defining attributes by circling the correct shape with a crayon that matches its color. In addition, they will learn that shapes are made up of different colors and that two-dimensional objects have a flat surface, while 3-D shapes have a rounded surface.
Ultimately, these skills will help them solve complex problems in the future. If they aren’t sure how to solve a math problem, they can use their knowledge of shapes and patterns to make a guess.
To help them with this, consider reading books that feature simple shapes. Then, have kids walk around the class and point out other examples of those shapes in their surroundings. They can even take pictures with an iPad or other smart device to document their findings. This is a fun way to teach students about shapes and spark their creativity! It also helps them remember what shapes they’ve learned. Plus, it’s a great activity to do on a field trip or during a class picnic!
Patterns
One of the first skills students learn in first grade is to recognize and explain patterns. This is a vital early math skill that they will use later on in their learning of counting, addition and multiplication.
Patterns are repeating sequences of objects, images, sounds or words. They can be simple or complex, and they help kids understand that things change and that they happen over time.
Children may start to learn about patterns by noticing the shapes they see in their environment, such as vertical stripes on a sweater. They will also be able to recognize patterns in their books and on the television.
To help your child develop pattern recognition, have them play with building blocks and shape-sorting puzzles. As they play, they will have the opportunity to create their own patterns with the different pieces. This activity will also help them develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills, both of which are crucial for understanding patterns in math.
When introducing patterns to your child, it’s important to start with one rule at a time and from easy to more complex. Then, have them practice adding and subtracting to extend the patterns that are presented.
Using place value blocks or base-10 blocks can help students visualize the patterns in numbers and learn to identify number values. Once they are familiar with the different numbers, they can then begin to compare two-digit numbers by circling the greater and smaller numbers in each row.
These first grade math worksheets will help your child master the skills they’ll need to start learning about fractions and time. As they move up from counting to arithmetic, they’ll also begin to develop their understanding of mathematical concepts related to fractions, time, money and measurement.