I created this PowerPoint to get 2nd graders to use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction facts. This is used before the strategies for basic facts are introduced. The characters in the PowerPoint are based on my dogs. It can be edited to contain characters that are personal to your students.

Introducing the Math Tool Box
Objective(s):
The student will recognize that strategies are like tools that we can use to help us solve problems
The student will develop an understanding of the concept that certain tools or strategies are more effective with certain jobs or problems.

Activity:
Teacher will use PowerPoint to introduce the analogy that math strategies are like tools.
Students will brainstorm a list of strategies that they know for adding two numbers.
Teacher will ask the students when they use each strategy.
Students will put together and decorate their toolkits.

Closure: What did you learn today that will make you a better math student?