Ideas for 1st Grade Math Learning Centers
Pupils in the first grade are rather new to math. Even the most basic concepts of arithmetic and geometry can be difficult for all but the most advanced pupils. Because a math learning center, unlike a school, can devote all of its time to teaching these basic skills, it is more likely to produce pupils with a solid foundation in math.
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Finding the Answer Quickly
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This activity teaches young pupils to process addition and subtraction problems quickly. It can be used in large classes and one on one. Write the numbers 1 through 9 on cue cards and arrange them in a 3-by-3 square on the table. Ask your pupil an addition or subtraction problem whose answer is an integer from 1 to 9. The pupil must grab the right card and hold it up. For large groups, break the class into two teams and stage a one-to-one face-off for each problem. The team with the most correct answers wins.
Math Treasure Hunt
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This game also works for both individual pupils and large groups. Write the digits 0 through 9 on cue cards and hide them throughout the room. Give your pupil an addition or subtraction problem. He must hunt for the appropriate cards to form the answer. For example, if the answer is 19, he must find the 1 and the 9 and put them together properly.
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Tissue Box Geometry
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Glue blank paper to every side of an empty tissue box. On each side, draw a different geometrical shape. Have your pupil roll the box like a die. She must name the shape that lands on the up side. For large groups, break the class into two teams. Roll the box yourself and have a representative from each team square off. Whoever names the shape first gets a point. The first team to get 10 points wins.
Candy Restaurant
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This activity is appropriate for a special day such as a birthday, holiday or the final day of term in your learning center. Buy an assortment of candies. Assign each a price and write a menu on the board that lists them. For advanced pupils, assign complex prices rather than integers. Give your pupil some fake money from a board game and ask him to choose two different candies. He must figure out how much they will cost and count out the correct amount of money to get his "purchase."
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