Whenever you can think of a way to teach a concept via a game your students will enthusiastically want to learn.

Dice are the perfect way to introduce simple addition for numbers 1-6 and then move students to subtraction.

To make the game even more fun, I’ve included clip art to guide them. Because I want students to practice writing their numbers, I have them not only solve the dice equation, but rewrite it in all numbers.

I also feel that student need to “see” counters to visualize the true concept of addition and subtraction.

I have a variety of ways for my students to do this, but stumbled across bead bracelets and manipulative Baggies via 2 creative teachers on Pinterest.

I decided to incorporate the “seeing-is-believing” and the “doing-is-understanding!” principal to this dice game by making it even more hands on.  After students write the equation they SHOW it, using either the bracelet or Baggie.

Ta Da! Hopefully the light bulbs will be going on while the kiddo’s are having a fun time.

Students can either work independently or choose a partner and play against them, seeing who can solve the most equations before the timer rings.

Here’s how to play the game:

Children roll 2 dice and find that equation on their paper.

They rewrite it, solve the problem and work it out on either their bead bracelet or manipulative bag.

If they roll the same 2 dice that they already have an equation for, they lose their turn.

After students have played the addition version of the game, have them switch to subtraction.

Click on the link to view/download Addition and Subtraction Dice Game

Bead bracelets:

To make a class set of bead bracelets for this game put 6 pony beads on 25 pipe cleaners. (Or however many students you usually have in class.) Twist the ends so they look like a bracelet.  Students move the beads to show the various rolls of the dice.  i.e. 3http://tunstalltimes.blogspot.com/2011/08/number-bracelets.htmlQ + 2 = 6

I got the bead bracelet idea from: Mrs. Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits click on the link to check out her cute site and how else she uses her bracelets.

Baggie Manipulatives:

Put 6 buttons, or whatever manipulatives you have, in small Ziploc Baggies.   I used poker chips becaus you can buy them at The Dollar Store. Draw a blue or red + sign in the middle of the bag with a black line above and below it so that the line runs down the center. 

Make another set of Baggies for subtraction and put a minus sign in the middle.  If you only want to make one set of Baggies, simply put a line down the middle. 

I really believe that it is worth the few extra dollars to make separate addition and subtraction bags, because I think that the more students see thosee math symbols, the more the concept gets ingrained in their brains.

Students move the manipulatives to the right and left of the line to show what equation they rolled.  i.e. 3 + 3 = 6

I got the Baggie idea from Mrs. T’s First Grade Blog click on the link to see her sweet site and how else she uses her Baggies.

Hopefully your students will enjoy this game and things really will start to add up in your class!

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you can drop in tomorrow for another teaching tip!

Feel free to PIN if so inspired.