Hillrise kindergarten students have been working on decomposing numbers, specifically the number 10, into pairs using objects, drawings and equations to learn to add and subtract within 10. As part of their lessons, students acted out word problems and physically showed ways to make ten using colored counters and ten frames and writing equations on marker boards.
According to one Hillrise kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Thomas, “One of our favorite ways to teach decomposing numbers is to play a game called Shake and Spill. The students can play it individually or with a partner. They have ten two colored counters in a cup, shake the cup, pour it out, divide the counters into a red group and a yellow group and then put the counters in the ten frame. They then write the equation that matches their ten frame on the white board. The students really enjoy trying to shake and spill to make all the combinations of ten.”
