Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the concept of Touch Points in math, learn how to identify and use them to solve basic addition and subtraction problems, and develop a foundational understanding of number relationships.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for note-taking
• Colored markers or crayons
• Number line (can be drawn on paper)
• Touch Point math guide (if available, or a simple explanation of Touch Points)

Before starting the lesson, ensure the student understands basic counting and is comfortable with numbers up to 10. Familiarize yourself with the Touch Points concept, which involves using tactile points on numbers to help visualize math operations.

Activities

• Touch Point Number Line:

  Have the student create a number line from 0 to 10 on a piece of paper. Then, using colored markers, they can mark the Touch Points on each number. For example, they can place dots on the numbers to represent the Touch Points and practice counting by touching each point as they say the number aloud.

• Touch Point Addition:

  Using the Touch Points marked on the number line, guide the student through simple addition problems. For example, if they need to solve 2 + 3, they can start at 2 on the number line and count 3 Touch Points forward to find the answer. Encourage them to use their fingers to touch the points as they count.

• Touch Point Subtraction:

  Similarly, introduce subtraction using the number line. For instance, to solve 5 - 2, the student can start at 5 and count 2 Touch Points backward. This reinforces the concept of subtracting as moving left on the number line.

• Creative Touch Point Art:

  Encourage the student to draw their own numbers and decorate them with Touch Points using crayons or markers. They can create a colorful poster that displays each number along with its corresponding Touch Points, which can serve as a visual aid for future math problems.

Talking Points

• "Touch Points help us visualize numbers and make math easier to understand."
• "When we add, we can think of moving forward on the number line. Each Touch Point is like a step we take."
• "Subtraction is just like taking steps backward on the number line. Each Touch Point helps us keep track of where we are."
• "Using colors and creativity can make learning math more fun! Let's make our numbers come to life!"