January Math Box Homework

We have been studying number facts to 10 (addition and subtraction), estimation, graphing, and skip counting by 5’s, 10’s and 2’s. We do mental math every day and problem solving activities several times a week. Feel free to make up your own problems for homework or adapt these ideas to meet the needs of your child. (harder or easier) Computer math games can be counted as a math activity too.

1. Using a new year’s calendar, count how many months until your next birthday. How many week’s? Can you count how many days? Say the months in order. Say the days of the week in order. Have your mom or dad ask you which day comes before or after Tuesday and other questions like that.

2. Use the NUMBER CARDS from 0-5 & DOT CARDS and place then upside down on the table in two separate piles. Choose from the number pile first and say the number, then choose a dot card and “count on” from the first number (4 … 5, 6, 7) Do lots of problems for 5 minutes.

3. Use two sets of NUMBER CARDS from 0-5, and make some pattern block shapes. Pick 2 cards. (i.e. 5, 3—Get 5 triangles and 3 squares and make a design on the table. Say the equation 5+3=8). Do several more with any 2 different shapes to match the number cards.

4. Using the sidewalk as a number line (write one number with chalk on each line starting with 0 up to 10). Pick an ADDITION FACT CARD and walk out the equation (4+6=10) Start at zero each time. Do several . Use the sidewalk idea for subtraction. Pick a SUBTRACTION FACT CARD and start at the first number. Walk back the 2nd number to see what the answer is. Say the subtraction equation.

5. Using a GAMEBOARD & FACT CARDS, play the fame from last month. (Move your marker the amount of your answer. Play it for addition cards and subtraction cards.

6. Using the PENTOMINOES, try to make a rectangle. Use as many of the 12 pieces that you want to. Then see if you can make a different sized rectangle. (This is a challenge, don’t give up).

7. Count out 10 BEANS. Put them into 3 groups. Write the equation on the CHALKBOARD. (1+3+6=10). Then arrange them into 3 different groups. Write that one down. Do several like this.

8. Take the CALCULATOR with you in the car. Pick a license plate and add up all the numbers. Try it with several plates. See which one is the highest number.

9. Make a list of the birthdays of family and friends. Make a bar graph on paper to show the number of birthdays each month. Add the birthdays in two months together. Add three months together. Talk about what you have discovered from your graph.

10. Count to 10. Count backwards from 10. Count backwards from 12, 15, 17, 20. If it’s too hard practice with a numberline or with numbered objects in a line. (Goal—Visualize the numberline pattern in your head as you count backwards with larger numbers).

11. Use NUMBER CARDS 0-8. Spread them out on the table and then count out BEANS to match the number. Add BUTTONS to the beans to make the total add up to 8. Write the number fact on the CHALKBOARD that will match each group of beans and buttons.

12. At the same time, both you and your partner hide 0-5 fingers behind you backs. Count to three and then show your hands at the same time. Add the number of fingers held up altogether. You should try to add the two numbers without counting all the fingers. (“add on”)

13. Take advantage of various situations to practice addition facts that equal ten or less. Add the number of buttons on his or her shirt to the number of buttons on your shirt. Add the number of his or her pockets to the number of your pockets. Point out a stack of 4 books and a stack of 5 books. How many books in all? Use you imagination to find other addition problems.

14. On a walk or drive, each of you choose similar objects to count out loud. For example, you could count parked red cars, and moving red cars. Then when you have a few of each, add the.

15. Get out the NUMBER CARDS 1-7 and 10 pennies. Pretend they are postage stamps and you have to get 3 stamps to add exactly to 10 cents. Match up the pennies with the cards and find as many combinations of 3 cards to add up to 10 cents as you can.

16. Mom or dad will get 8 spoons and put all of them behind his or her back. He or she will show you some of the 8 spoons but keep some of them still hidden. Can you tell how many are hiding? Do it several times. (This is an excellent missing addend problem. Do it with other amounts of objects many times throughout the next few months).

17. Find 9 different objects and put them on the table. Look at them carefully. Close you eyes and you mom or dad will take some away. How many are missing? Which ones? Take turns setting up the game for each other.

18. Put 10 different objects on the table and label them with prices 1 cent → 10 cents. Use 10 pennies to buy the items. How much change do you have left from 10 cents?

19. Mom will get 3 same-sized small glasses or gars. Put some M&M’s or other small candies into the first jar. Then put twice as much in the next, and twice as much again in the 3rd jar. Have your child estimate how much is in each jar. See if it is a reasonable estimate. (Start out with small amounts like 10 in the first jar, and then advance to larger amounts in the first jar. Do it several different times in the next few month).

20. Find 5 pieces of paper or cardboard. On the left side of one of the pieces of paper, write a large number 1. One the right side, write a large number 9. Put the following pairs of numbers on the other four pieces of paper: (2,8), (3,7), (4,6), (5,5). Then cut each of the 5 pieces of paper in half with different zigzag patterns. Mix up all the pieces of paper and find the puzzle pieces that add up to 10.

You may review any items that you like a lot and play them again. You can even choose review activities from previous months. Any math activity will count.