For your learners to become fluent with addition and subtraction within 5, they need to become familiar with each of the numbers. Here is a number warm-up that will focus on number 2 and 3, and also encourage students to see these numbers as part of and relating to another group (within 9).
Turtle 2 and 3 - A Math Warm Up for 2 players
You need:
- 9 grid (I'm using the Turtle Grids from our Math Kit)
- counters in 3 colors, in small bag to conceal them from view
To play:
- 3 of a color in a row wins - the player who completes the 3 is the winner
- students take turns to take 2 counters (without looking)
- if they match in color, they can be placed anywhere on the grid
- if they do not match in color they are put back
- keep taking turns until a 3 is made - clear the grid and start again
Options:
- encourage lots of math talk about 1, 2 and 3 (how these numbers combine, how many more, how many of each etc)
- encourage discussion that will guide students to an understanding of how 1, 2 and 3 are different
- talk about colors - observe any students having difficulty with red and green in combination
- to make the game more complex, include extra sets of counters so it is less likely they will get 2 that match so quickly
- find more math warm ups here
- find activities for numbers to five here
- find some number coloring pages here