Day 1 Script: Flip It! Order Doesn't Matter

Warm-Up: Number Hunt (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, math detectives! Let's get our brains warmed up with a quick number hunt! I have some questions on the board for you. Take a few minutes to think about them and write down your answers, or just think them in your head."

(Allow students a few minutes to complete the warm-up, circulate to observe and offer quiet support if needed.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's see what we found! Who can tell me what number comes after 9?"

(Call on a student. Confirm answer. Repeat for other warm-up questions, encouraging quick responses and mental math strategies.)

Teacher: "Fantastic job, everyone! You're ready for a super cool math trick we're going to learn today!"

I Do: Introducing Commutative Property (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Flip It! Order Doesn't Matter") "Look at this! I have some counting cubes. Let's count them. I have 3 red cubes and 2 blue cubes. If I put the red cubes first and then the blue cubes, how many do I have in all? That's right, 3 + 2 = 5."

(Demonstrate with cubes: place 3 red, then 2 blue.)

Teacher: "Now, what if I change the order? What if I put the 2 blue cubes first, and then the 3 red cubes? How many do I have in all now? Yes! 2 + 3 = 5."

(Demonstrate with cubes: place 2 blue, then 3 red.)

Teacher: "Did my total number of cubes change when I changed the order? No! The total stayed the same! This is a special math rule called the Commutative Property of Addition! It just means you can flip the numbers you are adding, and the answer, or the sum, will still be the same. Think of it like putting on your shoes. It doesn't matter if you put on your left shoe then your right shoe, or your right shoe then your left shoe. You still have both shoes on! The order doesn't change the outcome."

We Do: Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "I Do: Let Me Show You!") "Let's try another one together. I have 4 green counters and 1 yellow counter. If I add 4 + 1, what's my sum? Shout it out!"

(Wait for responses, guide if needed.)

Teacher: "You got it! 4 + 1 = 5. Now, watch what happens when I flip them! I put the 1 yellow counter first, then the 4 green counters. What's 1 + 4? Still 5! See? The order doesn't change the sum!"

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Let's Do It Together!") "Now, it's your turn to try with your own counting cubes! Get them out and put them on your desk. Let's try adding 2 + 3. Show me with your cubes! What is your sum?"

(Walk around, check student cubes.)

Teacher: "Great! Now, I want you to flip the numbers! Show me 3 + 2 with your cubes. What is your sum now? What did you discover? Talk to your partner quickly about what happened."

(Listen for responses like, "It's still 5!")

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Another One!") "Let's do one more! How about 5 + 1? Show me with your cubes and find the sum."

(Check understanding.)

Teacher: "Now, flip it! Show me 1 + 5. What's the sum? Who can tell me what stayed the same when we flipped the numbers?"

(Call on students to explain their reasoning.)

You Do: Small Group Practice & Application (30 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "You Do: Group Work!") "You are all becoming so good at flipping numbers and knowing the sum stays the same! Now, you're going to work in your small groups and become real math detectives. Each group will get a Day 1 Worksheet: Commutative Cubes and your counting cubes. Your job is to work together, use your cubes to show the problems, and write down your answers. Remember to talk to each other about what you are doing and what you observe! I'll be walking around to help out and see your amazing work!"

(Distribute worksheets and cubes. Circulate, provide support, ask guiding questions such as, "How do you know the sum stays the same?", "Can you show me another way to make that sum?")

Teacher: "As you finish up, make sure your names are on your worksheet. If there's time, we'll share some of our discoveries as a whole class!"

(Collect worksheets.)

Wrap-Up (Implied within small group or if time allows)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Great Job Today!") "Excellent work today, first graders! You are all masters of the Commutative Property! Remember, you can flip numbers when you add, and the sum stays the same! Give yourselves a silent cheer!"

Day 1 Worksheet: Commutative Cubes

Name: _________________________

Directions: Use your counting cubes to solve each addition problem. Then, flip the numbers and solve again! Write the sums in the boxes.

Problem 1

What is 2 + 1?

2 + 1 = _______

Now, flip it!

1 + 2 = _______

What do you notice?

Problem 2

What is 3 + 2?

3 + 2 = _______

Now, flip it!

2 + 3 = _______

What do you notice?

Problem 3

What is 4 + 2?

4 + 2 = _______

Now, flip it!

2 + 4 = _______

What do you notice?

Problem 4

What is 5 + 3?

5 + 3 = _______

Now, flip it!

3 + 5 = _______

What do you notice?

Challenge Problem!

Can you think of two numbers that you can flip, and the sum will still be the same?

_______ + _______ = _______

_______ + _______ = _______

Day 2 Script: Group It Up! Associative Adventures

Warm-Up: What's the Missing Number? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome back, math superstars! Yesterday, we learned about the Commutative Property. Who can remind us what that means? What did we learn about flipping numbers?"

(Allow a student or two to share, guiding them to recall that changing the order of addends doesn't change the sum.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Now, let's get our brains ready for another math adventure with some missing number problems on the board!"

(Allow students a few minutes to complete the warm-up, circulate.)

Teacher: "Time to check our work! For the first one, 5 + ___ = 8, what's the missing number? How do you know?"

(Review answers, encouraging students to explain their thinking.)

Teacher: "Great job with those! Today we're going to learn another cool trick that helps us add more than two numbers!"

I Do: Introducing Associative Property (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Adding Three Numbers!") "Sometimes we need to add more than just two numbers. Look here! I have 2 red cubes, 3 blue cubes, and 1 yellow cube. How can we add all these numbers up to find the total?"

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Grouping Option 1: (2 + 3) + 1") "One way is to group the first two numbers together. We use these special little curves called parentheses to show which numbers we are grouping. So, we have (2 + 3) + 1. When we see numbers in parentheses, we always solve those first! What is 2 + 3? Yes, 5. Now we have 5 + 1. What's 5 + 1? That's right, 6! So, (2 + 3) + 1 = 6."

(Demonstrate with cubes, physically grouping the 2 red and 3 blue, then adding the 1 yellow.)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Grouping Option 2: 2 + (3 + 1)") "Now, what if we grouped them differently? What if we group the last two numbers together instead? So, now it's 2 + (3 + 1). Remember, we solve what's in the parentheses first. What is 3 + 1? You got it, 4. Now we have 2 + 4. What's 2 + 4? Yes, 6! So, 2 + (3 + 1) = 6."

(Demonstrate with cubes, physically grouping the 3 blue and 1 yellow, then adding the 2 red.)

Teacher: "Did our total number of cubes change when we grouped the numbers differently? No! It was still 6! This is another special math rule called the Associative Property of Addition! It means you can group the numbers you are adding differently, and the answer, or the sum, will still be the same. Think of it like friends associating with each other. You can hang out with your friend, and then another friend joins. Or your other friend joins first, and then you play with both. The number of friends playing is still the same! The grouping doesn't change the total."

We Do: Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "I Do: Let Me Show You!") "Let's try another one. Look at this problem: 1 + 2 + 4.

Teacher: "First, let's group the first two numbers: (1 + 2) + 4. What is 1 + 2? (Pause) 3! And what is 3 + 4? (Pause) 7! So, (1 + 2) + 4 = 7."

Teacher: "Now, let's group the last two numbers: 1 + (2 + 4). What is 2 + 4? (Pause) 6! And what is 1 + 6? (Pause) 7! The sum is still 7! See how changing the grouping didn't change the final answer?"

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Let's Group Together!") "Now, get out your counting cubes and let's do one together! Let's try: 3 + 1 + 2.

Teacher: "First way: Group the first two numbers. Show me (3 + 1) + 2 with your cubes. What is 3 + 1? (Wait for answer: 4) And then what is 4 + 2? (Wait for answer: 6). Great!

Teacher: "Second way: Now, let's group the last two numbers. Show me 3 + (1 + 2) with your cubes. What is 1 + 2? (Wait for answer: 3) And then what is 3 + 3? (Wait for answer: 6). Wow! What did you discover about the sums? Talk to your partner!"

(Listen for responses like, "They're both 6!")

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Another Grouping!") "Let's try one more! How about 2 + 2 + 3? First, group (2 + 2) + 3. What is the sum? Then, group 2 + (2 + 3). What is the sum? Did the sum change when you grouped them differently? Why or why not? Share your thoughts with your partner!"

(Circulate and listen to discussions.)

You Do: Small Group Practice & Application (30 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "You Do: Small Group Explorers!") "You are all becoming amazing associative explorers! Now, it's your turn to work in your small groups. Each group will get a Day 2 Worksheet: Associative Explorers and your counting cubes. Your job is to work together, use your cubes to show the problems, and write down your answers. Don't forget to talk to each other about why grouping differently can be helpful! I'll be around to help!"

(Distribute worksheets and cubes. Circulate, provide support, ask guiding questions such as, "Which grouping made it easier for you to add?", "Can you show me another way to group these numbers?")

Teacher: "Make sure your names are on your worksheet before you hand them in. If we have time, we'll share some of our discoveries with the class!"

(Collect worksheets.)

Wrap-Up (Implied within small group or if time allows)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "You're Associative Pros!") "Excellent work today, first graders! You're all Associative Pros! Remember, you can group numbers differently, and the sum stays the same! Give yourselves a round of applause!"

Day 2 Worksheet: Associative Explorers

Name: _________________________

Directions: Use your counting cubes to solve each addition problem in two different ways by grouping the numbers. Write the steps and the sum.

Problem 1

1 + 2 + 3

Way 1: Group the first two

(1 + 2) + 3 = _______ + 3 = _______

Way 2: Group the last two

1 + (2 + 3) = 1 + _______ = _______

What do you notice about the sums?

Problem 2

2 + 3 + 1

Way 1: Group the first two

(2 + 3) + 1 = _______ + 1 = _______

Way 2: Group the last two

2 + (3 + 1) = 2 + _______ = _______

What do you notice about the sums?

Problem 3

4 + 1 + 2

Way 1: Group the first two

(4 + 1) + 2 = _______ + 2 = _______

Way 2: Group the last two

4 + (1 + 2) = 4 + _______ = _______

What do you notice about the sums?

Challenge Problem!

Solve this problem by grouping in two different ways. Show your work!

3 + 2 + 4

Way 1:

Way 2:

Sum: _______

Day 3 Script: Property Playbook: Commutative & Associative Review

Warm-Up: Property Puzzler (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome, math masterminds! Today is our big review day! We're going to put both of our amazing addition properties into action! Let's start with some Property Puzzlers on the board."

(Allow students a few minutes to complete the warm-up, circulate to observe.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's look at the first one: 6 + 2 = 2 + ___. What's the missing number? How did you know? Which property did you use?"

(Guide students to identify 6 and the Commutative Property.)

Teacher: "Excellent! How about (1 + 3) + 2 = 1 + (3 + ___)? What's missing there? Which property helped you?"

(Guide students to identify 2 and the Associative Property.)

Teacher: "Fantastic job! You're already showing me you're ready for our property playbook challenges today!"

I Do: Quick Property Review (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Commutative Property Review!") "Let's do a super quick review of our two special addition properties. First, the Commutative Property! Who can tell me the special word we use to remember the Commutative Property?"

(Wait for 'FLIP' or similar. Emphasize with hand motions.)

Teacher: "That's right! Commutative means you can FLIP the order of the numbers you are adding, and the sum stays the same! For example, 7 + 1 is the same as 1 + 7. Both equal 8!"

Teacher: (Display the slide for "Associative Property Review!") "Now, what about the Associative Property? What's our special word for that one?"

(Wait for 'GROUP' or similar. Emphasize with hand motions.)

Teacher: "Yes! Associative means you can GROUP the numbers differently when you're adding three or more numbers, and the sum still stays the same! Like (2 + 3) + 4 is the same as 2 + (3 + 4). Both equal 9! Remember, those little curves are called parentheses and they tell us which numbers to group first."

We Do: Mixed Practice Challenges (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Property Power!") "Now, let's practice putting them both to work! If I want to solve 3 + 4, and then I also solve 4 + 3, which property am I using? Why? Turn and tell your partner!"

(Listen for responses about the commutative property because the order changed but not the sum.)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "We Do: Grouping Greatness!") "Okay, new challenge! If I have the problem 2 + 1 + 5, and I solve it first like (2 + 1) + 5, and then I solve it again like 2 + (1 + 5), which property is that? How does it help us?"

(Guide students to recognize the associative property and discuss how it makes adding three numbers easier by choosing which pair to add first.)

Teacher: "You're doing great! Sometimes one way might feel easier for you to add in your head, and that's the superpower of these properties!"

You Do: Property Playbook Challenge (30 minutes)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "You Do: Property Playbook Challenge!") "Alright, math masterminds, it's time for our final challenge! Today, we're going to play a game called Property Power-Up! And while some groups are playing, others will work on our Day 3 Worksheet: Property Practice.

Teacher: "Here's how the game works: I have a basket of cards. Each card has an addition problem. When it's your group's turn, you'll pick a card.

• If the problem has two numbers, like 2 + 3, you'll show me the Commutative Property! You'll flip the numbers and show me that 3 + 2 gives the same sum. Use your cubes!
• If the problem has three numbers, like 2 + 3 + 1, you'll show me the Associative Property! You'll group the numbers in two different ways, like (2 + 3) + 1 AND 2 + (3 + 1), and show me that the sum stays the same. Use your cubes!

Teacher: "Make sure you can explain which property you used and why! While one group plays the game, the other groups will work on their worksheets. We'll rotate so everyone gets a chance to play!"

(Divide students into small groups. Start some groups on the game and others on the worksheet. Circulate, providing assistance, observing application of properties, and asking clarifying questions.)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, start wrapping up your game or worksheet. Excellent work applying both the commutative and associative properties today!"

(Collect worksheets.)

Wrap-Up (Implied within small group or if time allows)

Teacher: (Display the slide for "You're Addition Experts!") "You are all true Addition Experts! You've mastered flipping numbers and grouping them differently to make addition easier! Keep using your math superpowers!"

Day 3 Worksheet: Property Practice

Name: _________________________

Directions: Read each problem. Decide if you need to FLIP the numbers (Commutative Property) or GROUP them differently (Associative Property). Then solve!

Problem 1: Commutative Property

Solve: 5 + 2 = _______

Now FLIP the numbers: _______ + _______ = _______

Are the sums the same? (Circle one): Yes / No

Problem 2: Commutative Property

Solve: 1 + 8 = _______

Now FLIP the numbers: _______ + _______ = _______

Are the sums the same? (Circle one): Yes / No

Problem 3: Associative Property

Solve: (2 + 1) + 4

First, solve what is in the parentheses: _______

Then, add the last number: _______ + _______ = _______

Now, let's GROUP differently: 2 + (1 + 4)

First, solve what is in the new parentheses: _______

Then, add the first number: _______ + _______ = _______

Are the sums the same? (Circle one): Yes / No

Problem 4: Associative Property

Solve: (3 + 2) + 3

First, solve what is in the parentheses: _______

Then, add the last number: _______ + _______ = _______

Now, let's GROUP differently: 3 + (2 + 3)

First, solve what is in the new parentheses: _______

Then, add the first number: _______ + _______ = _______

Are the sums the same? (Circle one): Yes / No

Challenge Problem!

Choose either the Commutative Property or the Associative Property to solve this problem in two ways:

4 + 2 + 1

Which property will you use? _________________________

Way 1:

Way 2:

Sum: _______