Area Code Subtraction
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The children will be able to practice their subtraction skills while finding states on a map. Grades 4-6
Initiation: Have students practice some subtraction problems on a worksheet or on a class chart. After they have recalled their subtraction skills, ask if anyone knows their area code.
Development: Have a map of the United States ready with all of the states area codes filled in. You can find this information on the internet or in some phone books. Have a list of subtraction problems ready to use. For example: Ask: What is North Carolina minus Utah? or What is the difference between Missouri and Illinois? For students who need more challenge make up word problems to solve using the states. You can also use addition or multiplication.
Closure: Have the students in small group to make up math problems to be solved by their classmates the following day.
Materials: Maps with area codes, math equations to be solved
Time: 30-40min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.