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Subtraction Story Creator

Grade 1Math4 days

In this project, first-grade students will create their own subtraction storybooks to demonstrate their understanding of subtraction. They will brainstorm subtraction scenarios, represent them with drawings, and write corresponding number sentences. The project culminates in a completed storybook that integrates the story, drawings, and number sentence to showcase their comprehension of subtraction. A rubric is provided to assess story creation, visual representation, and number sentence accuracy.

Subtraction StoriesNumber SentencesVisual RepresentationMathematical AccuracyStory CreationFirst Grade Math

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create subtraction stories with pictures and number sentences to show what happens when we take away from a total?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can we show subtraction in a story?
What happens to the total when we subtract?
How do pictures help us understand subtraction?
How can we write a number sentence to match a subtraction story?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to create subtraction stories.
Students will be able to represent subtraction stories with drawings.
Students will be able to write number sentences for subtraction stories.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

"Mystery of the Missing Toys"

The classroom is in disarray! Several toys have mysteriously disappeared. Students must use subtraction to figure out how many toys are missing from each set, documenting their findings in a detective's notebook (a pre-made template). This kicks off their own subtraction storybook creation where they'll invent similar mysteries.

"Superhero Subtraction"

A popular superhero has lost some of their powers! Students use subtraction to calculate how many powers they've lost in each scenario (displayed visually). This inspires them to create their own superhero subtraction stories, where characters face similar challenges.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

"Subtraction Story Starter"

Students brainstorm and develop initial ideas for their subtraction stories, focusing on creating a simple scenario with a clear starting quantity and something being taken away.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Brainstorm situations where things are being taken away (e.g., eating cookies, balloons popping, toys being lost).

2. Choose one situation and draw a picture representing the starting quantity.

3. Write a simple sentence describing what happens in the story (e.g., "There were 5 cookies, and I ate 2.").

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA drawing representing the initial quantity and a sentence describing the subtraction scenario.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on the learning goal: Students will be able to create subtraction stories. It introduces the concept of subtraction as taking away from a total.

Activity 2

"Picture It! Subtraction in Action"

Students create detailed drawings to visually represent the subtraction process in their stories.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Redraw the initial quantity from the previous activity.

2. Draw a visual representation of the quantity being taken away (e.g., cross out 2 cookies).

3. Draw the remaining quantity after the subtraction.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA sequence of drawings showing the initial quantity, the subtraction process, and the remaining quantity.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to represent subtraction stories with drawings. It helps visualize the action of subtraction.

Activity 3

"Number Sentence Match Up"

Students learn to translate their subtraction stories and drawings into corresponding number sentences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the drawings from the previous activity, focusing on the initial, subtracted, and remaining quantities.

2. Introduce the subtraction symbol (-) and the equals symbol (=).

3. Write a number sentence that matches the story and the drawings (e.g., 5 - 2 = 3).

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete subtraction story with drawings and a corresponding number sentence.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsTargets the learning goal: Students will be able to write number sentences for subtraction stories. It connects the visual and narrative representations to symbolic notation.

Activity 4

"My Subtraction Storybook!"

Students compile their work into a final storybook, refining their stories, drawings, and number sentences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review all previous activities and make any necessary revisions.

2. Organize the story, drawings, and number sentence into a coherent storybook format.

3. Add a title and decorate the storybook.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed subtraction storybook with a story, drawings, and a corresponding number sentence, demonstrating their understanding of subtraction.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates all learning goals: Students will be able to create subtraction stories, represent them with drawings, and write corresponding number sentences. It serves as a comprehensive assessment of their learning.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Subtraction Storybook Rubric

Category 1

Story Creation

Clarity and creativity of the subtraction story.

Criterion 1

Story Context

The story clearly presents a subtraction situation with a defined starting quantity and a clear action of taking away.

Exemplary

4 Points

The story is creative, engaging, and clearly presents a subtraction situation with a well-defined starting quantity and a compelling action of taking away. The context is easy to understand and relatable.

Proficient

3 Points

The story clearly presents a subtraction situation with a defined starting quantity and a clear action of taking away.

Developing

2 Points

The story attempts to present a subtraction situation, but the starting quantity or the action of taking away may be unclear or confusing.

Beginning

1 Points

The story does not clearly present a subtraction situation or lacks a defined starting quantity and action of taking away.

Criterion 2

Mathematical Accuracy

The subtraction concept is applied accurately within the story.

Exemplary

4 Points

The subtraction concept is applied accurately and demonstrates a strong understanding of the relationship between the starting quantity, the amount taken away, and the remaining quantity. The story might include multiple steps or variations of subtraction.

Proficient

3 Points

The subtraction concept is applied accurately within the story.

Developing

2 Points

The subtraction concept is attempted, but there are minor inaccuracies in the application or understanding of subtraction.

Beginning

1 Points

The subtraction concept is not accurately applied or is misunderstood in the story.

Category 2

Visual Representation

Effectiveness and accuracy of the drawings in representing the subtraction story.

Criterion 1

Representation of Initial Quantity

The drawing accurately represents the initial quantity in the subtraction story.

Exemplary

4 Points

The drawing clearly and creatively represents the initial quantity with detail and accuracy. It enhances the understanding of the story and shows effort and attention to detail.

Proficient

3 Points

The drawing accurately represents the initial quantity in the subtraction story.

Developing

2 Points

The drawing attempts to represent the initial quantity, but there are some inaccuracies or lack of clarity.

Beginning

1 Points

The drawing does not accurately represent the initial quantity or is missing.

Criterion 2

Representation of Subtraction Process

The drawings effectively show the process of taking away and the resulting quantity.

Exemplary

4 Points

The drawings clearly and creatively illustrate the process of taking away, showing the transformation from the initial quantity to the remaining quantity. The visual representation enhances the story and understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

The drawings effectively show the process of taking away and the resulting quantity.

Developing

2 Points

The drawings attempt to show the process of taking away, but the representation may be unclear or incomplete.

Beginning

1 Points

The drawings do not effectively show the process of taking away or are missing.

Category 3

Number Sentence

Accuracy and clarity of the number sentence in representing the subtraction story.

Criterion 1

Accuracy of Number Sentence

The number sentence accurately reflects the subtraction story and drawings.

Exemplary

4 Points

The number sentence is perfectly accurate and clearly represents the subtraction story and drawings. It demonstrates a strong understanding of mathematical symbols and their meaning.

Proficient

3 Points

The number sentence accurately reflects the subtraction story and drawings.

Developing

2 Points

The number sentence attempts to reflect the subtraction story, but there are minor inaccuracies or errors in the numbers or symbols.

Beginning

1 Points

The number sentence does not accurately reflect the subtraction story or is missing.

Criterion 2

Clarity of Number Sentence

The number sentence is clearly written and easy to understand.

Exemplary

4 Points

The number sentence is clearly written, easy to understand, and uses correct mathematical notation. The student demonstrates a strong command of mathematical communication.

Proficient

3 Points

The number sentence is clearly written and easy to understand.

Developing

2 Points

The number sentence is somewhat understandable, but there may be issues with clarity or notation.

Beginning

1 Points

The number sentence is difficult to understand or is not written clearly.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most challenging part of creating your subtraction storybook, and how did you overcome it?

Text

Required

Question 2

How did drawing pictures help you understand subtraction better?

Text

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Question 3

If you could create another subtraction storybook, what would you do differently?

Text

Required

Question 4

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being not at all and 5 being very helpful, how helpful was it to create drawings to understand subtraction?

Scale

Required

Question 5

Which part of the storybook creation did you enjoy the most?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Brainstorming the story

Drawing the pictures

Writing the number sentence

Putting the storybook together