Friendly Math Mats

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In Pre-K, we practice early addition and subtraction concepts through the use of stories.  By playing with manipulatives as they combine and separate groups, the children gain a strong understanding of the relationships between numbers.  They are also learning to identify the vocabulary used when making and breaking sets.

We are keeping this project for the rest of the week so that we can use it with all of the students.  However, when it comes home, you can join in on the fun.  Ask your child to tell you a story using their friend puppets. Now make one up for them.  You can play this as a game, “My Turn, Your Turn,” where you move the manipulatives and find an answer when your child tells the story and vice versa.

Here are some examples to start you off:

Once upon a time, three friends ran to the park. They climbed a tree.  Later, two more friends came. How many friends were there all together?

One day eight friends were walking through the park.  Four friends had to go home for dinner. How many friends were left?