Educating the First Graders with Math - By: Sara Mays

Math can be one of the most boring and difficult subjects for kids especially for beginners like first graders. Adding and subtracting numbers up to 100, counting coins, and identification of shapes and simple patterns consist as the curriculum for 1st grade math. Worksheets, games, drawing, and other form of activities are also necessary for development of their young and innocent minds.

As a parent or a teacher, you want to be sure that your kids are grasping all the math concepts that are being introduced to them. Fortunately, there are lots of activities that will bring them clear and better understanding of theories which will help them to learn more complicated math concepts in the future. Here are some tips on how to teach math to first graders.

Learning Numbers

It is important that in the beginning of educating your kids, they are being introduced to number concepts. Help your struggling kids to reinforce skills by letting them perform activities that teach them about numbers. You can do that by giving them a number line and show them how to move up and down of it. This will help them how to count and know the difference of greater than and less than as well.

Money Matters

Teach them the value of money by involving them in the process. Using your creativity you can design a bill that will decorated. Use paper and markers to decorate them. You can get as extravagant as you want buy supplying them with glitter and glue to customize it. Set up a student store and have toys and treats that are labeled with a price tag. Have them use the money to figure out how much to pay for the items. This will not only teach them the value of money but be rewarded as well for being correct.

Addition and Subtraction Concepts

Introduce them to concepts of addition and subtraction by explaining them the different functions of numbers. Show them the mathematical symbols, such as plus, minus, equal, not equal, etc. Tell them the definition between addends, subtrahend, minuend, sum and difference. These basic concepts are essential for future learning that they may be facing. Help them to work on simple addition of numbers not greater 10. Then start to introduce subtraction facts using addition facts. Introduce also the theory of “greater than” and “less than” which are known as the “alligators” and give some examples.

Time Activities

Help students to become familiar with time. Begin by introducing to them the hour and the minute hand. Explain the functions of each hand to them. Orient them also to the 12 hours around the face of the clock and have them use their skills of counting by fives to tell time to the hour and the half hour.

Identifying Shapes

During first 1st grade kids begin to practice their skills in identifying shapes and patterns. Kids must identify the hidden shapes and they need to color them accordingly. You can make this activity to be more fun if you group them and each group should go around the surrounding to identify shapes. This kind of activity will help them recognize the differences between each shape.

Using foundational math games when they first start school will emphasize the how much fun learning can be. First graders attention spans are very short so you must incorporate some of these ideas above. By providing variation to the learning process you will not only teach more effectively, your student will learn more effectively.

About the Author

Sara Mays is an math enthusiast who love teaching kids math by making it more effective with games. By using games she is able to break through and help those kids that are struggling.

Do you want to learn how to teach your child more effectively by using foundational math games. Visit my website at KidsLoveMath.com for helpful tips to make math easy, exciting and fun!

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Sara-Mays/152022

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