Primary Math Lessons

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100 Frame Bingo

A bingo board with numbers to the left.
Students will practice arranging place value to compose two-digit numbers in this variation of Bingo.

99

A graphic and title that read "99".
In this collaborative game, students try to keep the cumulative total under 99 until the deck runs out.

Adding Up the Number Line

A line with different numbers being linked together. A title reads, "Adding Up the Number Line".
In this addition and subtraction game players attempt to arrive exactly at 500 on the number line.

Alphabetical Statistics: Part 1

Letters linked to numbers and a title that reads, "Alphabetical Statistics".
Using excerpts from books, students predict, collect samples, and compare their findings to make statistical inferences about larger sets of data.

Area and Perimeter

Graph papers overlapping with a title that reads, "Area and Perimeter".
Students use the sum of two dice to create the perimeter and area of shapes on a grid.

Barrier Game

A binder dividing the space of two people and a title that reads, "Barrier Game".
One student builds a structure and gives instructions to his/her partner to build an identical structure.

Block Party

A grid with different Tetris pieces and dots within it, and a title that reads, "Block Party".
Using their spatial skills, students transform and relocate unique shapes on a coordinate grid, attempting to avoid their opponent's pegs.

Box or Not?

Three Tetris style pieces with a title that reads, "Box or Not?"
Students sort and classify 2D/3D figures by geometric properties and using spatial language.

Building Towers

Two piles of green and red blocks with some stacked in the middle of the picture. A title reads, "Building Towers".
Students use a number card to build a Unifix tower and compare to determine whose tower is taller.

Can You Draw This?

A child drawing with a title that reads, "Can You Draw This?".
Students are briefly shown a series of designs inside a square and must recreate them from memory.

Can You Make a Square?

A bunch of different shapes with a title that reads, "Can you make a square?"
Students use spatial reasoning to create squares using different tangram combinations.

Card Collectors

Four playing cards stacked with a title that reads, "Card Collectors".
Students work in teams to determine the maximum, minimum, mean, median, mode and range of a group of playing cards.

Circle to Bar Graph

A circle graph beside a table graph. A title also reads, "Circle to Bar Graph"
What is easier to read - a circle graph or a bar graph? Children discover the answer in this lesson.

Closest To

Six playing cards in two rows. A title reads, "Closet To..."
In this game, students develop place value comprehension, probability, and social-emotional skills.

Coding Pictures

An image made within a square pattern, and a title that reads, "Coding Pictures".
Students practice coding skills in order to recreate an image.

Collect the Shapes

Random shapes on a grid with a title that reads, "Collect the Shapes".
Children collect 2D shapes on a grid by giving directional instructions and answering questions on shapes attributes.

Copy My Flag

Two flags made of paper with a title that reads, "Copy My Flag".
Students will practice their spatial language as they design and describe their geometric flags to their partner.

Crocodile Bridges

A book cover and text, with a title that reads, "Crocodile Bridges".
Students practice composing quantities of 10 using multilink cubes to cross their very own Silibobble Sea.

Cube Challenge

A bunch of cubes making shapes on a table with a title that reads, "The Cube Challenge".
In this lesson, students work together to build unique structures out of 3, 4, and 5 unifix cubes. Can you build them all?

Cuisenaire Rods

A box filled with different coloured Cuisenaire Rods, and a title that reads, "Cuisenaire Rods".
Students investigate relationships between numbers by comparing the size of cuisenaire rods.

Daily Calendar

A classroom with a bunch of people seated and an instructor standing and pointing at a calendar. A title reads, "Daily Calendar".
This daily lesson with many small activities gives students the opportunity to practice all five strands of math every day.

Dice Toss

Two dice with a title that reads, "Dice Toss".
Students engage in a simple probability experiment that requires dice and mental math strategies.

Dice War

Five dice on a table with a title that reads, "Dice War".
Players aim to collect all the dice in the game. They roll to get a score, and the highest roll wins all the dice.

Dominoes Parking Lot

An illustration of a parking lot with some dominos. A title reads, "Dominoes Parking Lot".
Students are challenged to place dominoes in their corresponding parking spot.

Don't Break the Hex

Ten hexagons and a title that reads, "Don't Break the Hex".
Students cover hexagon blocks with pattern blocks in this don't-get-caught-with-blocks-in-your-hand game!

Doubles

Four papers showing addition problems where the numbers being added are the same. A title reads, "Doubles".
Students organize doubles from 0 to 12 in a way that makes sense to them. This allows them to see number patterns.

Doubling Numbers: Part One

A book titled "Two of Everything" with a Lesson Plan, and a title that reads, "Doubling Numbers".
After reading "Two of Everything," students explore number pattern rules by using a T-Chart to illustrate the relationships between whole numbers.

Doubling Numbers: Part Two

A book titled "Two of Everything" with a Lesson Plan, and a title that reads, "Doubling Numbers".
After reading "Two of Everything," students explore number pattern rules by using a T-Chart to illustrate the relationships between whole numbers.

Doubling Up

A woman with a room full of items. A title reads, "Doubling Up".
Help children understand exponential growth and doubling with this fun hands-on activity.

Exploring Tangrams

Students working with tangrams and a title that reads, "Exploring Tangrams".
The history behind tangrams is a great way to explore composition, decomposition and spatial reasoning.

Find Your Match

A bunch of playing cards face down, with two faced up and a title that reads, "Find Your Match".
Students collect a matching number pair or two cards that add or subtract to a predetermined sum/difference.

Finding 10s

A bunch of playing cards and a title that reads, "Finding 10s".
Students use their knowledge of addition and multiplication facts to create 10s and multiples of 10.

Flip and Ponder

Five playing cards, with four face up and one face down. A title reads, "Flip and Ponder".
Students are challenged to create, transform, and compare improper and mixed fractions.

Fraction Bump

A variety of shapes split up equally. A title reads, "Fraction Bump".
In this competitive game, students use equivalent fractions to lock in as many fractions on the game board as possible without getting bumped off!

Fraction Sudoku

Two sudoku boards with fractions and shapes. A title reads, "Fraction Sudoku".
Develop skills in fraction recognition, comparison, and logical reasoning. Students practice analyzing patterns and applying problem-solving strategies collaboratively.

Garden Patio

A baking pan with purple coloured squares on it. A title also reads, "Garden Patio".
Children explore measurement and geometry and spatial sense through a narrative about a garden patio.

Go Fish

A child sitting and playing Go Fish. A title reads, "Go Fish".
Using the four basic operations, players take turns asking opponents for cards that will create a target number.

Going for Gold

A pot of gold surrounded by playing cards forming math equations. A title reads, "Going for Gold".
Students use three cards to try to get as close to 15 as possible without going over.

Golf

An icon of a person golfing with playing cards. A title reads, "Golf".
Students attempt to minimize the value of their hand in this competitive card game.

Graphs on Paper

Four line graph with lady bugs in each of the bottom rows. A title reads, "Graphs on Paper"
Students practice precise graphing skills by using a graphing package to sort and classify objects.

Growing Patterns

Three snakes with different patterns on their backs. The title "Growing Patterns" at the top.
Through a story about magical snakes, children think about numerical patterns.

Hexagon Card Game

Four white hexagons and various other shapes. A title reads, "Hexagon Card Game".
Students race to completely fill in the outline of a hexagon using different combinations of pattern blocks.

Hole-Punch Symmetry

A hole-punch with a piece of paper and a title that reads, "Hole-Punch Symmetry".
Students visualize how folded and hole-punched paper will look when unfolded.

How Many Dots Do You See?

An illustration of cards with dots and a title that reads, "How Many Dots Do You See?"
Students use visual pattern/arrangement to develop how to recognize quantity with accuracy and speed.

Introduction to Graphing

A bar graph with a title that reads, "Introduction to Graphing".
Children use previous sorting lessons to make a graph, realizing there is a clear way to display data.

Introduction to Patterning

Coloured blocks making a pattern. The title "Introduction to Patterning" at the top.
Students learn to recognize and extend patterns in different contexts, as well as identify features that define a pattern.

Ladybug Houses

An illustration of ladybugs in and outside a frame with a title that reads, "Ladybug Houses".
Students develop an understanding of numbers by comparing ladybugs inside vs. outside of a house.

Ladybug Patterns

A pattern of illustrated ladybugs with a title at the top that reads, "Ladybug Patterns".
By using only one kind of material, students are challenged to think about making patterns in a different way.

Lucky 7s

Playing cards forming a math problem and a title that reads, "Lucky 7".
In this collaborative game, students create math equations with various mathematical operations to achieve target outcomes.

Making Clocks

Students sitting on the carpet with an instructor and a paper clock. A title reads, "Making Clocks".
Students explore ways of measuring the passage of time by making their own clock!

Math Code

Eighteen squares with either a math problem or number within them. A title reads, "Math Code".
Math Code is a collaborative game that allows students to read, represent, compose and decompose whole numbers in a variety of ways.

Missing Puzzle Pieces

A variety of different shapes and an arrow with a title that reads, "Missing Puzzle Pieces".
Students develop reasoning and discussion skills by identifying the missing piece of a puzzle.

Multiplication Mania

A multiplication table, a hand holding playing cards, and two playing cards forming a multiplication problem. A title reads, "Multiplication Mania".
Children work their spatial reasoning and multiplication concepts in this strategic board game.

Number Hunt

A bunch of numbers and dots in circles with a title that reads, "Number Hunt".
Students practice one-to-one correspondence in this fun dice-rolling, bingo-dabbing game!

Operation ZERO

Various cards with two cards appearing in a box called, "Target Number". A title reads, "Operation ZERO".
Students challenge one another as they use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to create equations that are equivalent to a target number.

Origami Math

A variety of shapes made of origami and a title that reads, "Origami Math".
Students make connections between mathematics, history and visual arts, through origami.

Pentomino Battleship

Coloured tiles on a grid with a title that reads, "Pentomino Battleship".
Students practice reading letter-number coordinates by playing a battleship game with a partner.

Planning a Party with Estimation: Part 1

Moira's Birthday book cover, with a title that reads "Planning a Party with Estimation", and lesson plan.
When the entire school shows up to Moira's birthday party, Moira must make quick decisions to feed all her guests! Explore data analysis, estimation, and optimization.

Playdough Fractions

Six circles separated into parts and a title that reads, "Playdough Fractions".
Students listen to a math storybook and practice with fractional parts in this classic activity.

Salute

An illustration of three students sitting in a row, guessing numbers. Two have a card on their foreheads. Title reads, "Salute".
This 3-player card game reinforces student's understanding of the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction.

Same Change

Two groups of Canadian coins that equal the same amount, with a title that reads, "The Same Change".
Students develop financial literacy by creating different coin combinations with the same total sum.

Scrambled Egg Math

An open egg carton with numbers inside and a pair of dice. A title reads, "Scrambled Egg Math".
Children shake an egg carton and roll dice to determine whether they will add or subtract.

Secret Shape Code

Six different shapes with a title that reads, "Secret Shape Code".
Students develop spatial skills by practicing how to describe the location and orientation of different cut-out shapes.

Set

Find groups of cards that share or differ in shape, colour and shading to build pattern recognition and reasoning skills.

Shape Name Game

Six shapes in three different columns with a title that reads, "Shape Name Game"
Students develop the ability to identify and communicate the names of different geometric shapes.

Shape Shifter

A grid with blocks and circles, and a title that reads, "Shape Shifter".
Enhance students spatial sense using grid coordinates, geometric transformations and problem solving.

Shape Slicer

Shapes on a page with a title that reads, "Shape Slicer".
Students are challenged to deconstruct geometric shapes into smaller shapes!

Shape Transformer

A graphic that reads Transformer Machine, with gears around it. A title also reads, "Shape Transformer".
Students work together to understand transformations as a series of inputs and outputs.

Shut the Box

Ten cards in two rows, with some being face up and face down, and a pair of dice at the bottom. A title reads, "Shut the Box".
In this simple game with cards and dice, student practice constructing and deconstructing numbers one to 12.

Skyscrapers

Four images of skyscrapers built with blocks. A title reads, "Skyscraper".
Students build and view a series of skyscrapers from four perspectives, ensuring no two towers in a row or column are the same height.

Smarties Graph

A graph with a bowl of Smarties in front of it.
Every box of Smarties contains a different amount of each colour. Children graph what their box contains.

Spatializing Area

Two pieces of paper with blue and grey squares over top. A title reads, "Spatializing Area".
Students use cutout shapes to understand the relationship between size, area and relevant measurements.​

Square Moves

A student and instructor with a title that reads, "Square Moves".
Students transform tiles from one configuration to another, using spatial language to communicate their thinking.

Talking Tetris

Different shapes on grid paper with a title that reads, "Talking Tetris".
Students use directional vocabulary to compose and decompose structures on a grid using various 2D shapes.

Target Number Game

Someone pointing at a jar filled with pumpkin candies. A bowl of pumpkin candies is in front of it and a title reads, "Target Number Game".
Students select target numbers and attempt to scoop up that many countable objects.

Terrific Transformations

Two shapes drawn on two different sheets of graphing paper. A title reads, "Terrific Transformations".
Students get practice visualizing and manipulating features of quadrilaterals as they compete to modify a shape using as few moves as possible.

Upside Down World

A student playing with blocks and a title that reads, "Upside Down World".
Students work with unifix cubes to rebuild "buildings" that have been turned upside down!

War

Cards playing the game war, with a title that reads, "War".
Students practice with number magnitude in a simple card game.

We Are the Same

A bunch of math problems with a title that reads, "We are the same".
Students are given a card with an equation, numbers or dots. They must determine who has an equivalent card.

Whole in One

A paper with four cards around it and a title that reads, "Whole in One".
Students work an assortment of cards from a standard 52 card-deck to create whole fractions through addition.