Cube Construction Teacher Guide
Cube Construction
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Grade 1 Tier 2 Intervention
Standard Focus
CO 1.OA.B.3: Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.
Learning Goals
- Understand that changing the order of addends doesn't change the sum.
- Group three numbers to find a "ten" to make addition easier.
Materials
- Linking Cubes (2 colors)
- Double Ten-Frames
- Dry Erase Markers
Part 1: The Great Train Flip (Commutative)
Concrete Discovery
The Task: Ask students to build a train with 3 red cubes and 8 blue cubes. Ask, "How many in all?" (11).
The Flip: "Now, flip your train around. What do you see now?" Guide them to notice it is now 8 blue cubes and 3 red cubes.
Key Questions: "Did we add any cubes? Did we take any away? Does the total change?"
Formalizing: Label these as "Turnaround Facts". When the numbers swap spots, the answer stays the same.
Part 2: Making Friends with Ten (Associative)
Representational Strategy
The Problem: Present \( 2 + 6 + 4 \). Ask, "Which two numbers should we add first?"
The Strategy: Use the ten-frame to show that 6 and 4 are "Ten-Friends." Move them into the frame first.
Visualizing: "Once we have our 10, adding the 2 is easy! 10 and 2 makes 12."
Practice: Have students manipulate cubes into ten-frames for \( 3 + 7 + 2 \) and \( 5 + 1 + 5 \).
Scaffolding Tips
Support (Tier 3 Needs)
Use color-coded ten-frames where the 'friends of ten' are already outlined in the same color to guide the grouping.
Challenge
Ask students to prove if the 'flip' rule works for subtraction (e.g., is \( 10 - 3 \) the same as \( 3 - 10 \)?).
Check for Understanding
Observe students as they complete the "Train Flippers" activity. Use the following rubric:
Proficient
Quickly identifies turnaround facts and utilizes 'make-ten' without prompts.
Developing
Identifies turnaround facts with cube support but struggles to find 'ten friends'.
Beginning
Requires step-by-step guidance to build and flip cube trains.
Cube Swappers Slides
Cube Swappers
Playing with Addition Patterns
The Turnaround Trick
Does the TOTAL change if we swap the colors?
3 + 8 = 11
8 + 3 = 11
"Flip it!"
Making Friends with 10
2 + 6 + 4 = ?
It's easier to find a TEN first!
Step 1: Find the friends
Step 2: Make 10
Step 3: Add the rest!
10 + 2 = 12
Prove It!
Leo has 5 gold stars and 7 silver stars.
If he puts the silver stars first, will he have more?
YES?
NO?
Train Flippers Worksheet
Train Flippers
Property of Operations • Level 1
Name:
Date:
Color the cube trains. Then, flip the train around and write the new equation!
Build & Color
3 + 2 = 5
Flip It!
2 + 3 =
Build & Color
4 + 3 =
Flip It!
___ + ___ = ___
Build & Color
1 + 8 =
Flip It!
___ + ___ = ___
Think About It:
If 3 + 10 = 13, what is 10 + 3? ___________
Group Builders Worksheet
Group Builders
Associative Property • Make-Ten Strategy
Name:
Date:
Find two numbers that make 10. Circle them, then add the last number!
4 + 5 + 6 = ___
1. Make a 10
2. Add the leftovers
10 + ___ = ___
3 + 7 + 2 = ___
1. Make a 10
2. Add the leftovers
10 + ___ = ___
1 + 9 + 5 = ___
1. Make a 10
2. Add the leftovers
10 + ___ = ___
8 + 2 + 8 = ___
1. Make a 10
2. Add the leftovers
10 + ___ = ___
I am a Ten-Frame Builder!
Match the Mix Exit Ticket
Match the Mix
Turnaround Facts Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
Draw a line to match the Turnaround Facts!
4 + 9
2 + 8
5 + 7
1 + 6
7 + 5
6 + 1
9 + 4
8 + 2
Challenge Round:
If you know 3 + 10 = 13, then you also know...
____ + ____ = ____
