Spring Dice Addition: A Math Brain Break!

Math Grades 1st Grade 3:46 Video
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Lesson Description

Get active while practicing addition with dice! This fun, spring-themed lesson helps 1st graders improve their math fact fluency and subitizing skills through a dynamic brain break activity.

Video Resource

Spring Adding Dice: Math Brain Break Subitizing

Move and Groove Math

Duration: 3:46
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Addition
  • Subitizing (recognizing numbers of dots on dice quickly)
  • Math Fact Fluency

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to quickly identify the number of dots on a standard six-sided die.
  • Students will be able to add two numbers within 12.
  • Students will be able to actively engage in learning through movement and play.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing what a die is and the numbers it represents (1-6). Practice subitizing by flashing images of dice faces and asking students to quickly say the number.
  • Video Activity (10 mins)
    Watch the 'Spring Adding Dice: Math Brain Break Subitizing' video. As the video plays, follow along with the actions and math problems. When the dice are shown, students add the numbers and do the indicated action.
  • Follow-Up Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, provide students with dice and have them work in pairs. Each student rolls two dice, adds the numbers, and tells their partner the sum. Have them take turns. This reinforces the skills learned in the video.
  • Wrap-Up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of addition and subitizing. Discuss how movement can help with learning. Answer student questions.

Interactive Exercises

  • Dice Roll Relay
    Divide the class into teams. Each team has a set of dice. One student from each team rolls two dice, adds the numbers, and runs to write the equation on the board. The first team to correctly complete five equations wins.
  • Ten Frame Dice
    Roll the dice and use a ten frame to show the number by filling in the appropriate amount of dots.

Discussion Questions

  • What is your favorite thing about Spring?
  • How does moving around help you learn?
  • What strategies did you use to add the numbers on the dice quickly?

Skills Developed

  • Addition Fluency
  • Subitizing
  • Active Learning
  • Number Recognition

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is it called when you quickly know how many dots are on a dice without counting each one?

Correct Answer: Subitizing

Question 2:

If you roll a 3 and a 2, what is the total?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 3:

What number is NOT on a regular dice?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 4:

Which equation shows 4+2?

Correct Answer: 3+3

Question 5:

What does 'sum' mean in math?

Correct Answer: The answer when adding

Question 6:

If you roll two dice and get the same number on both, what is the smallest total you can get?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 7:

Which of these is a good way to add numbers quickly?

Correct Answer: Remembering your math facts

Question 8:

You roll a 1 and a 5, what do you get?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 9:

If you need to add 3 numbers, which is the easiest way?

Correct Answer: Add the 2 easiest numbers first

Question 10:

What is addition?

Correct Answer: Putting together

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A dice has _____ sides.

Correct Answer: six

Question 2:

When you add, you are _____ numbers together.

Correct Answer: putting

Question 3:

The answer to an addition problem is called the _____.

Correct Answer: sum

Question 4:

The biggest number on a regular dice is _____.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 5:

_____ is the smallest number on a dice.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 6:

If you roll two 3's, the sum is _____.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 7:

If you roll a 4 and a 1, the sum is _____.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 8:

Knowing your math facts quickly is called being _____.

Correct Answer: fluent

Question 9:

We can move around while we learn to keep our _____ active.

Correct Answer: bodies

Question 10:

Being able to see how many dots there are on the dice without counting is ____.

Correct Answer: subitizing

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13). CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.8:Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = _ - 3, 6 + 6 = _.

Teaching Materials

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