Winter Math: Addition 

ISBN 978-1-68410-007-1

Winter Math: Subtraction

ISBN 978-1-68410-053-8

These books are two of six in the Winter Math set. Both are good fits for students in kindergarten and grade 1 because both books focus on basic math facts. The text is actually the lyrics to the songs on the included CD. A QR code allows access to the extra resources, which include the songs, with lyrics as well as without.

The addition book helps students learn the equations that make ten. Each page shows real-world objects—pinecones, candles, snowmen, geese, and cookies—being used to make ten. The book starts with 1 + 9, then 2 + 8, 3 + 7, and so on; if teachers use the song, students will be able to remember the equations. The song will also help students see the pattern of adding to tens. The only disadvantage that this book has is that the turn-around facts are not included (i.e., the turn-around of 2 + 8 is 8 + 2).

Like the addition book, the subtraction book also focuses on ten, but this time, on subtracting numbers from ten. Again, the objects counted are real-world winter objects. The equations in this book begin by subtracting one and progress to subtracting ten. In this book, all the facts when subtracting from ten are included (i.e., both 10 – 1 = 9 and 10 – 9 = 1, for instance). Our kindergarten students enjoyed using the books and music in a lesson. Our teachers preferred using the QR code to easily access the online music.

Using these books is a wonderful way to get students moving and learning some math at the same time! — Elizabeth Brandenburg, Lead Teacher, Pangborn Elementary School, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Copyright © 2019 The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc. www.nctm.org.

All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed electronically or in any other format without written permission from NCTM.