License Plate Math
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The students will be able to add numbers together based on the amount each letter represents on the license plate. Grades 2-4
Initiation: Ask if anyone in the class knows any of the letters on their car's license plate. Tell the class that adding numbers can be fun math in everyday situations like riding in your car and finding the sum of license plates.
Development: Have a chart already made up with every letter in the alphabet representing a number. For example:
A=4
B=7
C=2
D=9
Makeup numbers depending on the class level. After doing a couple of license plates together you can have the class do their addition individually or as a group. Print out a mock license plate on a piece of paper and make up words that make sense or just put a bunch of letter together to come up with a total. You can make the license plates look authentic according to your state or very simple on a rectangle piece of paper. The class will have a lot of fun adding with this!
Closure: See if anyone can come up with the most valuable license plate or have them come up with their own.
Materials: Chart, mock license plates.
Time: 30 min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.