Function Rules in Addition & Subtraction: Captain Cool, What's your Rule?

3 different centers practicing applying functions with input & outut tables (also known as function machines). Function rules are a crucial skill in the upper grades, and applying them in addition and subtraction help build that foundation with primary grades students. Functions can also help students build their understanding of the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. This Captain Cool, What's My Rule unit will have students working to achieve their missions while identifying rules, applying rules, and generating equations following rules.

There are directions pages for student use as well as recording sheets for each center. Each center is set up as a different superhero mission, with the student (Captain Cool) completing each mission to rescue his helicopter, super car, and sidekick. There's also certificate when students have completed each challenge in the mission and completed the centers.

Center Directions

Center 1: Students roll a dice and then add or subtract that number based on what is on their card to fill in the out table. Students complete two cards. There is a blank template for you to create your own, as well.

Center 2: Students draw a card and determine the rule. There are two different problems with the same rule on each card. Students record the two addends and the rule on their recording sheet for both problems. Students complete 5 cards.

Center 3: The rule is on these cards. You can have students self-generate numbers for their in/out boxes, or you can have students roll the dice to get the first number for the table. They continue until they’ have filled out the table with 5 different numbers, and then students solve a second card.