Ya'll.... I've shared this before, but I struggle a little bit in teaching Math. I adore ELAR. I LOVE to teach reading. I LOVE to teach writing. I LOVE phonics (really!! so fun!) But....(dun..dun duhhhn...) Math is NOT my favorite thing to teach (eeek!) shhh don't tell!
I have been to various trainings on teaching Math, and they all really help, but a few years ago I went to a thinking maps training by a wonderful presenter that happens to be a family friend (seriously, she is fabulous and SO much fun!) and we learned how to use some various thinking maps in Math. Thinking maps in Math?! My kind of lady!! Who doesn't love a graphic organizer??
This is a spin off of one that she used as an example, and my kids REALLY loved doing it! After my kids are comfortable with simple addition we begin a "number of the day" as part of our calendar companion where they have to come up with number sentences that equal the number of the day. This is critical thinking, friends!! Some of my kids come up with them easily, others it takes a little time. (totally ok!) Either way, it is wonderful practice for their little minds!
In my small group station today, we made these little booklets:
We first used yellow/red bingo markers to show all the ways we could build five (forgot to take a picture!) After practicing, I guided them through making the booklets. On each row, I had them dob on a certain amount of one color of dots. (see in picture) On the first row I said 5, 2nd row 4, 3rd row 3, etc.. They then had to switch colors and figure out how many more dots they needed to create the number five and then had to create the number sentence. YES, I sat with them the entire time - but they really understood the concept and did not have a hard time with this (hooray!!)
Here is a completed (inside) of the booklet. You could use various things to create the dots - cut up paper, shapes, stickers (those garage sale pricing stickers would work well!!) as long as everyone had two different colors or shapes.
I've created a mini packet of these booklets with instructions so you can do the same thing in your classroom!! (for FREE!)
{click on the picture to grab your copy from TpT !}
I would love to hear from you if you grab them!
Hop over to download the binder pages freebie HERE and then check out the fluency packet HERE! 
