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The colors and smells of fall are just around the corner! It’s time to start changing themes and activities to inspire learning during the change of seasons. I’m excited to share with you today how you can bring some fall fun to your math activities with these Addition and Subtraction Pumpkin Math Mats! See our math mats series for more easy prep math centers!
These free printables make it so easy to liven up your math center or small groups! With just a few simple supplies you’re on your way to creating a math experience that is so much fun for your students.
Before you begin, decide if you’d like to use this math activity in a center or small group setting. This activity is suitable for Kindergarten and 1st grade. It is most effective one-on-one or with a partner, depending on your students’ prior knowledge of addition and subtraction concepts. Tip: Be sure to model your expectations if you choose to put this in a center where children are working independently.
Print the addition math mat and laminate for use with dry erase markers. Tip: If you don’t have access to a lamintor, then place the math mat in a sheet protector.
Roll two dice (or one die, twice) to get the 2 parts needed to create the pumpkin math equation. Use a dry erase marker and write the numbers in the equation boxes located below the pumpkin.
Build the math equation using fall themed or orange manipulatives. Be sure that students understand the pumpkin is split in half to show the two parts of the equation, and therefore they should place counters or manipulatives in the corresponding half. Tip: Use pumpkin seeds for counting if you don’t have fall themed counters.
Lastly, use a dry erase marker to write the answer to the math equation in the 3rd box located below the pumpkin. Encourage children to count the total number of counters in both sides of the pumpkin in order to find the answer.
In preparation for using the subtraction math mats, it is important to remind children that this pumpkin doesn’t have two parts because you will be subtracting from the whole pumpkin to find your answer.
Begin with rolling one die for the starting point.
Using a dry erase marker, write the number rolled on the die in the first box below the pumpkin, and then build the number with math counters or manipulatives.
Children will then roll a second die to find out how many counters they will be taking away from their pumpkin and write that number in box #2. Tip: Let students know that they should only roll a number that is smaller than the number in box #1 so that their equation works out properly. If they roll a number larger than box #1, then they should roll again.
The final step for completing the subtraction equation is to “take away” manipulatives from the pumpkin based on the second number rolled. Students will then use a dry erase marker to write the answer in the 3rd box.
Now it’s time to grab your FREE Pumpkin Addition and Subtraction Math Mats printable! Then, for TONS of pumpkin fun all month long, grab our Pumpkin Math and Literacy Centers!
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Learn how to create a PLAYFUL classroom with our LIVE Path to Play Training. You’ll leave feeling excited and ready to go for next school year so you can enjoy every minute of summer break!
