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Topic:
In this activity students will:
Q Regroup (pack) as needed.

Combine
Modeling and recording 2-digit and 3-digit addition.

Q Use blocks to model and solve addition problems. Q Draw the blocks and show the solution. Q Explain their mathematical thinking.

Setup:
Student arrangement: Small groups (2-4) Each small group needs: 5 blocks-of-100 (500) 1 place value mat with digit cards for each group 1 activity sheet 1 long piece of string or 1 dry erase marker (optional) 1 set of pre-made index cards with the following:

+27
38

+35

+36

+43

+48

+108

+146
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Combine
Introduction:
r Pass out materials and have students sit with their partner or small group. r Help each group set up their mat with one digit card at the bottom of each place value

position (hundreds, tens, and ones). r Have students put 57 blocks in the top part of their mat. Make sure the blocks are packed as much as possible so that there are 5 blocks-of-10 in the tens place and 7 single blocks in the ones place. r Explain that students are going to add more and more blocks to their mat. Students will: r Select a card. Write down the number on the next row on the activity sheet. r Add that number of blocks to the mat. (It helps to add the blocks in the correct place value positions at the bottom of the mat so that students can clearly see the number they are adding. Some students may need a piece of string or dry erase marker to separate the top and bottom of the mat.) r Pack the blocks altogether, as much as possible, to see the new total. r Record the sum on the next row of the activity sheet. r Select a new card. Add it to the mat, and so on. r Keep selecting new cards and adding more and more blocks to their mat while recording on the activity sheet. r Stop when they finish with all the cards. (Each card is used just once.)

Activity:

r Groups will model, combine, and record addition problems by continuing to add blocks to their mat.

If they add all seven cards starting at 57, they will end at exactly 500 blocks. r As students work, walk around and ask students to predict what will happen before they combine two sets of blocks. Ask, Will you need to pack a new block-of-10? A new block-of-100? How many single blocks do you think there will be? etc. r If groups finish early, they can play again and choose a different starting number of blocks. Closure: r Have students share their results. Did everyone end up with 500 blocks on their mat? If so, discuss how this happened when everyone went in a different order. Post several different lists that totaled 500. Discuss problems students may have encountered. Ask, did students keep their blocks organized? Did they miscount? Give students the opportunity to try again. r An important discovery for students to make is that order does not matter.

Assessment:

r Do students work collaboratively? r Are students modeling and combining blocks properly? r Do students know when to pack and move blocks-of-10 and blocks-of-100 on the mat? r Do students record each addition problem? Are they beginning to predict the sum?

Extensions:

r A second activity sheet is provided for students to practice predicting, solving, drawing, and

explaining addition problems. Model how to draw the blocks and explain in words. Then have students try on their own. Over time, students will improve in their mental methods and begin to transition away from blocks toward written methods. r Have students try to come up with their own set of index cards that total to 500. Test them out in class.

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9 Combine
Names ________________________________________________
Start with 57 blocks on your mat.
Choose a card and write the number on the next row of the chart. Add that number of blocks to your mat. Pack as much as possible. Record the sum in the next row. Choose another card. Keep adding until you run out of cards!

Start with _____ blocks on your mat. Play again!

Hundreds

Tens

Ones

Hundreds

Tens

Ones

+ + + + + + +
40

+ + + + + + +

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This page may be copied for classroom use.

Digi-Block

Combine
Name ________________________________________________ Write the problem:

Predict how many blocks there will be: Draw the blocks for each number. Show how to pack the blocks. Record the sum. Use the spaces below.
hundreds tens ones

On the back, explain in words what you did with the blocks.
Digi-Block This page may be copied for classroom use.

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