Time for our students to explore number concepts is important! It allows our students to play with numbers in a non-threatening way and to make sense of the math in a way that works for them. This primary exploration allows students to play with numbers in a cooperative way.
Partner your students up. Each has a different color of unifix cubes. One is responsible for the sticks of 2, and the other for sticks of 3.
After they have created their "sticks," they begin to hook their colors together to see if they can get them to match up. In this case 3 + 3 = 6 and 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
Have them continue in this way, finding how many times the two groups will match up. Encourage them to write number sentences to match their blocks. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
Can they begin to see the pattern on when the blocks match up? When they run out of blocks, can they figure out how many they would need to make the next match? You might take this opportunity to introduce the word multiples in 2nd or 3rd grade. You could differentiate/extend this as you wish for your students by changing the lengths of the sticks...
When you are done with the exploration, be sure to have a Notice and Wonder session. Write down the things that your students find so that you can refer to it at later times.
What other ideas do you have for this activity or one similar to it?
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