Two of Everything

Last Tuesday, December 1, me and my dyad partner (Heba) led a short math lesson in our first grade class. The lesson included a read-aloud of a children's book called, Two of Everything--A Chinese Folktale, written by Lily Hong. Following the story, I created a practice activity to teach them about doubling numbers--or counting the same number twice. I showed our students a big pot--my "magic pot!" I also showed them a basket of various small items. Unbeknownst to the kids--I also had the same number of same items hidden on the bottom of the pot. As was told in the story--every time I put items in the pot--I could pull out double the number of items--magically! We did this several times. Each time, I asked the students..."If I put in this number of items...how many will I pull out? (Answer: double the number)Most of the kids were in total awe and were also able to guess the correct number outcomes. I felt like a magician! There were a few boys who kept creeping closer to the pot...they guessed that I already had those items on the bottom of the pot.

I loved this activity. I can't believe I just thought of it that morning. It was great to see the kids so engaged and having fun and doing math all at the same time.

For a wrap-up, and to see if kids "got" the concept of doubling, we asked them to complete a worksheet: a picture of a big pot. They had to draw items (two equal sets) in the pot and fill in the blanks of a picture sentence...___ plus ___ = ___ (something like that). The kids were able to use their imaginations in choosing what they wanted to see doubled. We walked around visiting kids during this time and made sure they understood the doubling idea...Most got it!