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Face the Numbers
Overview
Clues are given in the form of two equations with two unknowns (animal faces).
Children figure out the values of the faces.
Algebra
Solve for the values of two unknowns • Replace unknowns with their values
Problem-Solving Strategies
Reason deductively • Test values
Related Math Skills
Add, sums of 20 or less • Subtract, 20 or less
Math Language
Equation • Same numbers • Stands for a number
Introducing the Problem Set
Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Face the Numbers” (page 55) 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:
- Look at Equation A. What do you see? (An addition sentence — when you add 2 to the
monkey face, you get a sum of 7.)
- Look at Equation B. What do you see? (Two different faces — a monkey face and a dog
face. The two faces add up to 8.)
- Why did Ima start with Equation A? (There is only one kind of face. The monkey face stands
for the number 5. 5 + 2 = 7)
Algebra Readiness Made Easy: Grade 1 © Greenes, Findell & Cavanagh, Scholastic Teaching Resources 53