Simple Number Line Car Race to Teach Math

Click here to read Simple Number Line Car Race to Teach Math on Hands On As We Grow®

---

Get ready to start your math engines! Make adding and subtracting more fun with a simple number line car race from Brigitte!

To get my daughter more involved with learning addition and subtraction, I created a number line on our floor using painter’s tape.

Adding and subtracting activities are definitely more fun and engaging than worksheets or flashcard drills. Don’t you agree?

Simple Number Line Car Race to Teach Math

So what makes this number line fun and engaging? Cars!

More specifically, a car race. Who doesn’t love racing cars?

When I showed a flashcard, my daughter would place the car on its starting line. We used the first number shown on the flashcard as the start.

Then, she would race the car up (adding) or down (subtracting) the number of lines shown as the second number on the flashcard. When the car ended up at its “finish line,” we had our answer!

For example, if the flashcard said 5+3. The car’s starting line was 5.

She would then move the car as she counted up 3 lines to end on the 8. That was the car’s finish line.

This allowed her to see that 5+3=8.

For beginning learners, it can be helpful to add in arrows to show which way to move.

Draw one arrow pointing “up” the number line toward bigger numbers for addition. Use another line going “down” the line to show subtraction.

If she raced two cars side by side with different addition facts, she could see which car went further. It’s a great way to compare the value of numbers.

This simple activity can also help children build fact fluency or the immediate recall of math facts. By repeating the same “race” again and again, muscle memory might help your child recall these facts more easily!

This super simple number line car race could also work for little ones learning their numbers. When you call out a number, they can race the car to that space on the number line!

Have more math fun with  40 number activities for preschoolers.

What are your favorite ways to make math more active? We’d love to check out your suggestions!

from Hands On As We Grow® https://ift.tt/2C2sNyA