Today's Number

To start math off this morning, first graders had to figure out "Today's Number" by playing a game of Guess My Number.  The only hint given to the students was that it was a number between 1 and 20. They quickly learned to ask smart questions that would eliminate more than just one single number, for example, is the number less than 12?  After ascertaining that "Today's Number"was 9, they were then given the challenge to find as many ways as possible to make the number 9.  They could use addition and/or subtraction.  They were encouraged to use math tools such as counters, number lines and number charts.  They came up with many, many ways to make 9!

Sharing our equations with the group.