Setting-Up
In typically first-grade style, we start with some concrete learning (pun intended) with outdoor-chalk number lines on our school’s outdoor basketball court. Before school, I visited our playground and drew 3 number lines. One number line went from -2 to 20, one from -2 to 15, and the third from -2 to 10. (Why did I include negative numbers? Although we don’t touch negative numbers in 1st grade, my kids need to know they exist. My friends won’t think anything of it when they are introduced in a few years. This is an easier way for me, as a primary teacher, to bridge the intermediate-primary gap.)
Launching Our Learning
Skipping our typical number talk and whole-group mini-lesson, we headed outside. As a whole-class we practiced finding numbers on the number line, finding one more and one less, adding simple numbers together, and we stretched our brains to use the number lines to solve word problems. As a single friend was hopping on the number line, my friends joined them in hopping in their standing spots behind the number line.
Small-Group Practice
I then split students into 3 groups of 7 students (I have 23 students but 2 were absent yesterday). Each group worked as a team to read the questions and use the number line to solve them! Putting students in control, it was fun to be able to stand back and watch my kids in action.
It was such a fun half-hour and a great way to get outside and introduce math in a FUN way. After we finished-up, we headed back inside for our guided math rotations.
I don’t want my first-grade friends thinking math is a difficult, cumbersome academic subject that is confined to a Go Math textbook or workbook. Rather, we had a BLAST hopping from number to number, solving math problems. As one of my sweet littles said, “It like we are outside and playing, but doing math too!”
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What a great idea. It's the simple things that can have the biggest impact 🙂
Sheri
Early years with Sheri.
Fantastic idea!! May I share your post in an upcoming professional development? Kudos to you!!
Thank you, Eliza! Of course. Feel free to share. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! We are learning number lines with subtraction next week and I'm going to borrow this idea. 🙂
Loved this post, Catherine! I shared it on my FB page. 🙂
Donna
Math Coach’s Corner
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I’m going to explore subtraction using number lines, and I plan to use this tiny fishing concept.
I love the idea of teaching 1st graders with outdoor chalk it makes learning numbers so visual and fun! Activities like drawing number lines on the pavement can really help kids grasp counting and simple addition while being active. On a similar note, I recently discovered a brand, Apricocia, that values quality and attention to detail in everything they do. Their thoughtful approach to design reminded me of how structured, yet creative methods—like chalk number lines make learning both effective and enjoyable. If you want to explore their collections, you can check them out here https://www.apricocia.com.
Using outdoor chalk number lines is such a fun and interactive way to help 1st graders understand counting, addition, and subtraction while staying active outdoors. Hands-on learning activities like this can make math much more engaging for kids. Parents looking for healthcare support information can also explore Ayushman Card Hospital Lists to easily find participating hospitals and services online.