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Math - Month of October

During October, kindergarteners will focus on addition and subtraction within 5. Students will explore how numbers can be combined and separated through hands-on activities, math games, visual models, and real-world problem-solving.

Our goal is to help students develop a strong understanding of how numbers work together while building confidence in their mathematical thinking.

➕ Addition: Putting Numbers Together

Students will learn that addition means combining two groups to find out how many there are altogether.

We will practice:

Combining groups of objects and counting the total.
Using fingers, counters, pictures, and other hands-on materials to model addition.
Solving simple addition problems with sums up to 5.
Understanding that numbers can be combined in different ways to make the same total.
Explaining our mathematical thinking using words, pictures, and objects.

For example: If I have 2 apples and get 3 more, how many apples do I have altogether?

➖ Subtraction: Taking Numbers Away

Students will explore subtraction by learning what happens when objects are taken away from a group.

We will practice:

Taking away objects and counting how many remain.
Using pictures, fingers, and manipulatives to represent subtraction.
Solving simple subtraction problems within 5.
Understanding the relationship between a starting amount, the amount taken away, and the amount remaining.
Explaining how we solved a subtraction problem.

For example: If I have 5 pumpkins and give 2 away, how many pumpkins are left?

🧠 Building Number Sense & Problem-Solving Skills

Throughout the month, students will strengthen their understanding of numbers by:

Counting and representing quantities within 5.
Recognizing different combinations that make 5.
Connecting numbers to real objects and everyday situations.
Using different strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems.
Sharing and explaining their mathematical thinking.

We want students to understand why addition and subtraction work, rather than simply memorizing answers.

🏡 Supporting Math at Home

Families can reinforce these skills through everyday activities and playful learning opportunities!

🍎 Snack Math: Give your child 2 crackers, then add 3 more. Ask, "How many do you have altogether?" Try taking some away and counting what remains.
🎲 Dice Games: Roll a die and count the dots. Use two small groups of objects to create an addition problem with a total of 5 or less.
🧸 Toy Math: Use toy cars, stuffed animals, or blocks to create simple addition and subtraction stories.
✋ Finger Math: Hold up 3 fingers on one hand and 2 on the other. Ask, "How many fingers are showing altogether?"
🍂 Nature Math: Collect 5 leaves, then take 2 away. Ask, "How many leaves are left?"
🧩 Make 5: Give your child 5 small objects and challenge them to separate the objects into two groups in different ways. For example, 1 and 4, 2 and 3, or 5 and 0.
📖 Math Story Problems: Create simple word problems using familiar experiences, such as sharing snacks, picking apples, or playing with toys.

Math - Month of August

In Math, we are beginning Unit 1 of our i-Ready Math curriculum: Position, Length, Height, and Sorting! 📏🔎

This unit gives students lots of opportunities to explore math through conversation, movement, hands-on materials, and objects in our classroom. Rather than focusing only on numbers, students will learn that math can also help us describe where things are, how objects compare, and how things can be organized into groups.

🌟 What We Are Learning

Throughout this unit, students will practice:

📍 Position
We will use positional words to describe where objects are, including above and below. Students will also practice listening to positional directions and placing objects in different locations.

📏 Length & Height
Students will compare objects and describe which is:

longer • shorter • taller

We will practice using math vocabulary to explain how we know two objects are different.

🧸 Sorting & Classifying
Students will look closely at objects and notice their attributes. We will sort objects into groups based on things they have in common, develop rules for our sorts, and explain our thinking.

🔢 Counting Our Groups
After sorting, students will count how many objects are in each group and begin comparing the groups they created.

🏡 Try It at Home!

These skills are especially easy to practice through everyday conversations and play!

Try asking your kindergartner:

“What is above the table? What is below it?”
“Which one is longer? Which one is shorter?”
“Who or what is taller?”
“How could you sort these objects?”
“What is your sorting rule?”
“How many are in each group?”

You can use almost anything—toys, socks, crayons, blocks, snacks, stuffed animals, or household objects. Challenge your child to find more than one way to sort the same collection!

💬 Math Talk Matters!

One of our biggest goals is helping students learn to talk about their mathematical thinking. You can support this at home by following an answer with:

“How do you know?”

There doesn't always have to be one perfect way to solve a problem. We want our kindergartners to become confident mathematicians who can notice, compare, explain, and share their thinking. 💛