This past Monday, we had a faculty meeting where we got to see what our first graders are tested on in math in October. To say I (and by I…I mean all of the Kindergarten teachers) was shocked is an understatement. A lot of our kinders (and I’m sure yours too) come in barely knowing how to read and the growth they are expected to show in one years time is a bit crazy,for lack of a better word. We do our Wednesday Word Problems every week, teach them subtraction/addition, introduce number sense in general, and between all that we try to keep their fingers out of their noses and pants free from pee.
Rant over.
We got this.
I really was at a bit of a loss trying to think of a way to help students understand some of these concepts they are going to be expected to know. Here is what I came up with to help with the transition in to first grade after taking to some of our first grade teachers. 
This is how I am going to start to introduce it and then I am going to go back and talk about it until the end of the year. Basically, the students should be able to look at a problem like this: 4+2=3+3 and understand that those two sums are equal to one another. They also have to know something like 4-2=2+0.
We are going to use unifex cubes to introduce the concept. I thought that if students could see the height of the unifex cubes side by side, then it might make sense visually. The students are going to make 4,5,6, and 7 to start on Tuesday when we finish shapes. I am going to give each student two different colored unifex cubes. This will be a perfect way to practice our addition facts and learn about equality. This is going to be the start of a new product, so I thought I would let everyone try it out and let me know how it goes so I can create more activities to help students grasp this concept.
Excuse the fabulous handwriting here. It’s not so easy trying to draw on your computer screen from home. This is an example of what it might look like when you are finished with the activity.
Let me know what you think. What else would you like to see to help students grasp this concept?
On a personal note, I would so appreciate it if you all could keep Jennifer {you can keep up with her on her Caring Bridge site} in your prayers. She is a Momma of one of my sweet sweet students and also the computer teacher at our school. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. I can’t tell you all how much it has meant that you have been praying and loving on Hunter. Jennifer needs it as well. She has a pretty long road ahead of her. She has an awesome attitude and is so very brave. We are sad not to have her in the computer lab and we need her back asap! 
