Are You Teaching the Commutative Property of Addition?

Are You Teaching the Commutative Property of Addition?

If you're a third grade teacher, usually your first lesson {Go Math Third Grade Chapter 1, Lesson 1.} is a review of the Commutative Property of Addition. I created a set of 24 task cards to use as a spiral review for third grade Go Math teachers teaching Lesson 1.1 to use during the first month of school. Many teachers are working on procedures and routines during the first couple of weeks, students are moving in and moving out of your classroom and maybe your school has hired a new teacher to create smaller classrooms. No matter what, I think you can agree that the first week is crazy hectic. So I liked to have many resources for later in the month to review and revisit the many math skills I had to cover the first week.

Some Fun Ways To Create Excitement for the Commutative Property of Addition

Commutative Property of Addition Lesson Directions:
1. Write this problem on the board, or project on your overhead. 9 + 2 =
2. Have nine children stand to the left of the board and two children to the right. Have the children count all the students for the answer of 11.
3. Shift, write 2 + 9 = on the board and discuss that it doesn't matter in addition, the ORDER of the problem, just the total amount of items, the sum.
4. KEEP the same students in the two groups but have them shift to the left or right so the nine students are now on the right and the SAME two students are on the left.
5. Discuss how the total number of students have not changed, and that we call this the Commutative Property of Addition.
6. Repeat until every student gets a couple of turns at the board and in the audience.

For a Higher Level Class, or to Extend the Above Commutative Property of Addition Lesson:
1. Use 5 + 3= and have a group of five students on one side and three students on another side of the board. Using the "Count on..." strategy start with FIVE and verbalize, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT.... equals = 8. The students in the group of three could even raise their hands as you count on, Six, Seven, Eight.
2. Shift, write 3 + 5 = on the board and discuss that it doesn't matter in addition, the ORDER of the problem, just the total amount of items, the total amount of students.
3. KEEP the same students in the two groups but have them shift to the left or right so the five students are now on the right and the SAME three students are on the left.
4. Discuss how the total number of students have not changed, and that we call this the Commutative Property of Addition.
5. Repeat these steps until every student gets a couple of turns at the board and in the audience.

Next Commutative Property of Addition Lesson:
To continue the lesson and go from a visual to a more concrete method, while still involving the students with some up and down, out of their chair, hands on, action.
1. Using number cards, {click here for some FREE number cards} have one student hold the number 6 and another student hold the number 1.
2. Another student can write the problem, 6 + 1 = on the board.
3. Have the students continue to hold the cards, but change places.
4. Write on the board, 1 + 6 = and discuss the Commutative Property of Addition.
5. Give the students multiple chances to hold different number cards and write the problems on the board.

LESSON EXTENSION:
1. Give the students in the audience white boards and markers to work out each problem.
2. In pairs, allow the students to write a problem, swap with their partner and have the partner solve and then use the Commutative Property of Addition to write the related addition sentence.

My Task Cards

Task Card Resource Includes:
24 Task Cards
1 Recording Sheet
1 Answer Key

Click Here to Purchase Them Today.

{Click Here to Pin For Later}

Did You Know I have Two Big Bundles of My Color For Fun Coloring Pages for the Entire School Year?

AND that they are already deeply discounted?

Fall Coloring Pages Big DISCOUNTED Bundle!

Winter Spring and Summer Coloring Pages Big DISCOUNTED Bundle!

If you need more for third grade math...

Unit One Big Bundle for Third Grade Go Math

3rd Grade Go Math Chapter One Addition and Subtraction Within 1000 Bundle

Third Grade Math - Unit One Bundle

This 420 page bundle has:
* 30 Color Your Answer Printables with Answer Keys
* 6 Quick and Easy to Prep Center Games
* 216 Task Cards with 6 Recording Sheets and Answer Keys

Click here to purchase this bundle.

Today's Lesson:

{Third Grade, Go Math Chapter One, Lesson One - Lesson 1.1}

Use any of the links below to read more...

{Third Grade, Go Math Chapter One, Lesson Two - Lesson 1.2}

{Third Grade, Go Math Chapter One, Lesson Two - Lesson 1.3}

{Third Grade, Go Math Chapter One, Lesson Three - Lesson 1.6}

Follow Me For More Resources and Freebies!

>>> Come follow me on TpT to know when I publish new resources and freebies!

>>> Come join the fun on Facebook for my exclusive FREEBIES & Monthly Giveaways.

>>> Come join the fun on Instagram for more FREEBIES & Monthly Giveaways.

>>> Follow my blog, Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas, where I post a Freebie Friday every Friday!