Double Your Pleasure-Double Your Fun, With These Doubler Math Activities

Looking for something to make learning “doubles” fun?

I’ve got several ideas for you!

Hang up the Doubles Poster and use it as an anchor chart.

Remember to take it down, or cover it, when you are testing.

Make extra copies for your students to use.

For an entertaining “craftivity” print off extra apple blackboard answer cards.

Put them in a container. Have each student pick a number out of the basket or whatever.

That is the number that they will have to make a collection/collage or group of sets of things of.

i.e. If they choose the number 2 they will find things that come in pairs like shoes, eyes, ears, dice, etc.

They can use numbers, pictures cut from magazines and catalogs, clip art, stickers, real drawings, photographs etc.

Students also need to put the equation for their number.  i.e 1 + 1 = 2

After students have shared their “math-erpiece”, hang them up on a hallway wall with the caption:

Our Math-erpieces! “We are doubling our pleasure with numbers as we learn about doubles.

Afterwards, follow this activity up with My Doubles Addition Booklet.

This is an activity that will help with the addition portion of the Common Core State Math Standard for first grade: 1.OA.8 (Determining the unknown whole number in an addition equation relating three whole numbers. i.e. 2 + 2 = ).

After completing their math-erpiece and booklet ask students: "Did you think of the same items that were in the booklet?"

Children trace the numbers and solve the equations.

I wrote the equations horizontally as well as vertically, because some standardized tests do both, so students should learn both, so they are not unfamiliar with either version and thrown for a loop.

I like to include writing and reading along with math, so students trace the number word, and then write it.

I’ve also included some simple sentences that discuss what groups of things are found in that number.

The picture clues will help students with the words.

I believe that if a child can latch onto a picture, to go along with a numerical equation and answer, it will often help students whose light bulbs don’t turn on from mere rote memorization.

By associating groups of things, that students are familiar with, that are often grouped by that specific number, you help children bring their real world into the classroom and make their studies more relevant.

Challenge them to try and think of other things that are often grouped with “that many” in it.

Because I discuss Lifesavers and Smarties for the number 14, you may want to have several packs, so that your students can actually count and see if this is true.

Reward their efforts by giving each one a piece.

This is also a great time to review colors. Whenever I did colors with my Y5’s we also said the words in Spanish and Sign Language.

For the last page, as a silly activity, have everyone take off their shoes and socks and count up to 20 using their fingers and toes!

Students can make their own Itty Bitty booklet out of the blackboard equation and answer cards.

Make extra sets and laminate them.  Play “I Have; Who Has?” Someone will have 1 + 1 and ask who has the answer 2 card?

Play Memory Match Concentration.  Run off the answer cards on ivory and the equation cards on white. Students play with a partner.  The person with the most pairs when the timer rings is the winner.

Toss the equation cards in a basket.  Students draw a card out and give the answer. If they can’t, they are out of the game.

There’s a praise certificate as well as mini “I know my doubles” cards, to pass out when children have achieved this standard.

Click on the link to view/download the Doubles Packet.

Do you have a fun way that you teach “doubles?”  I’d enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com or leave a comment here.  Thanks in advance for sharing!

Thank you too, for visiting today, I hope you can pop back tomorrow for more back to school tips.

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“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein