CRYSTAL BUILDING MATH ACTIVITY

This particular set up came with the curriculum I use with B to give me a framework, but it is something many of the creative accounts that follow me could recreate without much difficulty. Each player takes a turn with the spinner, adding or subtracting cubes until the grid has been completed and the crystal built.

To be honest, I hadn’t introduced B to addition or subtraction AT ALL, nor had she ever seen the + or – symbols, so I wasn’t sure how well this was going to work out. To my surprise, however, it went great! Instead of saying “add” and “subtract,” I chose to use “add” and “take away.” Pretty soon she could identify which sign meant what and required less and less help to understand what the spinner wanted her to do.

We later extended the activity by making patterns with the cubes as well as comparing lengths (longer vs. shorter). I plan to use it again throughout the month because the practice she gains in number recognition and naming, as well as basic calculations, is worth it to me. Also, she loves it. When children are engaged, they can learn just about anything.

To #adaptmyplay, add higher numbers or multiplication. The counters can also be colored chickpeas or any number of items you already have at home.

If you decide to try it, please tag me. I’d love to see it. 💕