This task comes from a book in a series of three books by Math Solutions, called Math for All: Differentiating Instruction. This is another investigation where students can practice addition and think about combinatorics – a nice way of organizing counting. The task ends with asking students to write about their thinking.
Task Instructions
Getting Started
- Write the numbers 12, 15, 19, and 24 on blank cards.
- Put your number cards in a bag and shake it.
To Play
- Pull out two cards. Record the numbers and their sum.
- Return the cards to the bag and take another turn.
- Do this a few times.
Stop and Think
- How many different sums do you get when you pull two of these number cards from the bag?
- How do you know you have all the possibilities?
What Did You Learn?
- Write about your thinking.
Reference
From Math for All: Differentiating Instruction, Grades K-2 by Linda Dacey & Rebeka Eston Salemi (Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions), pp. 210. Reprinted with permission.