Introduction to Decomposing Numbers
-Common Core Math CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.KOA.A.3,5 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.NBT.A.1
Jack is really starting to get interested in numbers and math. This lesson covers 3 of the kindergarten math standards which have to do with decomposing numbers. As I was putting together this lesson, I realized it required a level of thinking that Jack was never exposed to. He had to think algebraically and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be too tough for him and frustrate him. Luckily, he really seemed to enjoy it, especially because we turned the lesson into a search for “mystery numbers.”
This post contains affiliate links, which means, if you click on one of the links and purchase something, Curious Little Classroom will receive a commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you!
Materials List for Decomposing Numbers
–poster board
–markers
–Post-it Notes
–play money
–Mystery Numbers 24-Page Lesson Plan
Step 1: Download the Kindergarten Decomposing Numbers Mystery Numbers Lesson Plan from our Teachers Pay Teachers store and complete the worksheets
Here is a sample worksheet page from the lesson:
Step 2: Set up the poster board just as you see in the pictures below
Decomposing numbers means you are breaking down a number to see the smaller numbers that make it up. For example, the number 2 is made up of two 1’s.
Step 3: Once you get the poster board set up, fill in the answers and cover them with small Post-It notes with questions marks on them
Here is a video explaining the objective of the decomposing numbers lesson.
Step 4: Begin the lesson with the student, start with number one and move very slowly, breaking down each number until the number 5
I quickly realized that I had to modify the lesson and use play money as a manipulative to help Jack understand the concept better:
He was finally getting it, this was so exciting!
Step 5: Complete the assessment from the Mystery Numbers lesson
Here is a sample page from the assessment:
