Play Popsicle Math

Now that it’s first grade, “Math Facts” are here.    This year, you can expect addition and some subtraction; then, when your child hits second grade, get ready for timed tests and even early explorations in multiplication and division.  Worried? Don’t be.  This is a time to be excited with your child about this new knowledge, and to explore lots of fun ways to develop it.   Here’s a hands-on activity that classroom teachers use to help kids get a feel for equations and start building lifelong skills.

Materials:
• 23 popsicle sticks
• Kitchen timer
• Crayons or markers
• Construction paper
• Child safety scissors
• 2 Ziploc bags

What to do:
Label Sticks.  Have your child hold each stick vertically and label it with one number, going from 1-20.  Use the remaining three sticks to write a plus, minus, and equals sign (+, -, =) using crayons or markers.

Build an equation.  Start with addition.  Help your child make problems by using the popsicle sticks and having them hold up the answers. ( Ex. 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 1+3=4, etc.)  Later, using the same popsicle sticks they already labeled, you can have your child practice making subtraction facts and holding up the answers.

If you like, add a challenge.  Set a kitchen timer, for example, and see if your child can answer each problem correctly in three seconds or less.  Or have your child write a list of problems and keep a “scorecard” of correct equations which you can mark with a happy face or star.