Algebra Readiness Made Easy Grade 1

A

L

G

E

B

R

A

R

E

A

D

I

N

E

S

S

1

Guess the Number

Overview

Presented with a list of numbers, children use clues to cross off numbers that don’t fit

the clues and identify the special number.

Algebra

Letters used to stand for unknowns

Problem-Solving Strategies

Eliminate candidates from a list • Use logical reasoning

Related Math Skills

Compare numbers • Skip counting • Add basic facts

Math Language

Between • Count by 5s and 10s • Greater than • Less than • Not

Introducing the Problem Set

Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Guess the Number” (page 22) and distribute

to children. Have children work in pairs, encouraging them to discuss strategies they

might use to solve the problem. You may want to walk around and listen in on some of

their discussions. After a few minutes, display the problem on the board (or on the

overhead if you made a transparency) and use the following questions to guide a

whole-class discussion on how to solve the problem:

• Why did Ima cross 10, 11, and 12 off the list? (Clue 1 says that A is less than 10. Ima

crossed off numbers that are not less than 10.)

• If you use Clue 2 next, what numbers will you cross off the list? (0 to 7)


• What numbers are left after Clue 1 and Clue 2? (8 and 9)

Work together as a class to answer the questions in “Solve the Problem: Guess the

Number.”

20 Algebra Readiness Made Easy: Grade 1 © Greenes, Findell & Cavanagh, Scholastic Teaching Resources