Download Combinations of 5

Combinations of 5-Barb Rauert
Combinations of 5
Beginning Tasks:
1. Partitions of 5 using 2 color 5 frame:

Flash 5 frame with 2 color dots totaling 5. Students can show with one hand how many
were red and then show with other hand how many were blue. To make it more difficult
have students put hands on top of their heads and show the two combinations. This is
interesting to watch. Some students will put up the 2 numbers all at one time. Others
can keep hands above the head but have to build the numbers one finger at a time. Still
others have to bring their hands down where they can see them, build the numbers and
then put them above their head. The goal would be for students to instantly put the
correct number of fingers up without having to count or see them.
2. Combinations of 5 using 5 frame with some empty frames:
 Flash a 5 frame that has some dots and some empty squares. Have the students show
with fingers on one hand only how many dots they saw. Then ask students how many
empty squares they saw. Relate this to how many fingers they have down. For example
when seeing 3 dots students should have 3 fingers up. There would be 2 empty frames
so on that same hand they should have 2 fingers down. Then ask what 3 and 2 would
be altogether.
3. Parts of 5 with snap cubes:
 Show a tower of 5 snap cubes. Put cubes behind back and break some off. Show
students only part of the tower and ask them how many are behind your back. Put tower
back together so students can see that the 2 numbers go together to make 5.

Another option is to give every student a tower of 5 snap cubes. Have them hide the
cubes behind their back and break some off. Then have them show their two parts.
Have students share the combinations they made.
4. Make 5 with Arithmetic Rack:
 Cover the bottom row of the Arithmetic Rack. Using the top row only put all the red
beads on one side and blue on the other. Push over 3 red beads to the middle of the
rack. Then ask students how many blue would be needed to make 5 altogether in the
middle of the rack. Repeat this with other combinations of 5
5. Fix It Strips:
 Using a 5 frame show the first number on the strip and have students put that many on
their 5 frame. Then show the next number and have students change their number on
the 5 frame. Ask students what they did to change the number. Did they add some?
Take some away? How many?
Games for Choice Time:
Five Frame Matching:
 Using two sets of 5 frames that have some dots and some empty squares have partners
turn over all 5 frames. One person chooses 2 5 frames and turns them back over. If the
total of dots equals 5 he/she keeps those cards. If the combination does not equal 5
cards are turned back over and the next person gets a turn.
Domino Matching:
 Using the domino cards take out all the dominoes with a 6 on it.
 Using only the dominoes with dots to 5 turn over all the domino cards.
Combinations of 5-Barb Rauert

Domino cards are dealt out to 2 players. First person lays one domino in the middle.
Next person looks at the 2 ends of the dominoes and determines if he/she has any
number that can go on either end that would make 5, places it on the end of the domino
, and then draws another card. If the player can not make 5 he/she loses a turn and the
other player gets to try to make 5. Play continues until all dominoes are used or players
can not make any more combinations of 5.
Advanced Tasks:
1. Part/Part Whole cards:

Teacher tells students they are going to identify all the numbers that go together to make
5. Teacher holds up the part/part whole cards with the 5 showing and has one of the
bottom numbers bent back. Teacher asks if we have 2 (number shown) what number
would we need to make 5? This is the number that is bent back. Once the answer is
given the teacher shows the hidden number. Repeat with the other part/part whole
cards for 5.
2. Van de Walle part/part whole cards(same as #1)
3. I Wish Activity:
 Say to students I have 2, but I wish I had 5 how many more do I need?
 I have 1, but I wish I had 5 how many more do I need?
 I have 5, but I wish I only had 2, what would I do?
To begin with you may have students make using cubes on a 5 frame and then
later do it verbally with no support.
4. Fix It Strips:

Show students first number and on the strip and then ask them what they would have to
do to make the next number. At this point don’t use support of a 5 frame. Ask them is
they would add some? How many? Or take some away? How many?
Games for Choice Time:


Off/ On with combinations of 5.
In/Out with combinations of 5. (This game is more advanced than Off /On because part
of the combination is hidden. This would relate to a partially screened task in Math
Recovery.
 Match/No Match
There are 2 levels for this game. One level uses the numbers with 10 frame support. The
next level uses only numbers.
 How Many More to Make 5(easier version with dots)
 Make 5(gameboard) with numbers
 5s Go Fish(like 10s Go Fish)
 Subtracting From 5.
 Ways to make 5
 5 towers(making towers of 5 with 2 colors of unifix cubes)
 Concentration-making combinations with 5 frames, number/5 frame cards,
numbercards(easiest to hardest)
 Card mats(individual practice)
 Number family booklet(individual practice)
 General gameboard/ combinations of 5 gameboard
Assessment of 5:
Combinations of 5-Barb Rauert


Hiding Assessment with 5 and the related What if Questions.
Part/Part Whole: Give child a number such as 2. Can they find the number that would
go with 2 to make 5.