Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to perform addition and subtraction using fun alligator and crocodile-themed activities.

Materials and Prep

Materials: Paper, pencil

Prep: None

Activities

1. Alligator Addition: Draw an alligator and a crocodile on a piece of paper. Use the alligator's open mouth to represent the greater than symbol (>), and the crocodile's open mouth to represent the less than symbol (<). Create addition problems and use the alligator and crocodile to compare the numbers and solve the problems.

2. Crocodile Subtraction: Draw a group of crocodiles on a piece of paper. Create subtraction problems and use the crocodiles to visually represent taking away from the group. Solve the problems by counting the remaining crocodiles.

Third Grade Talking Points

• When we add two numbers, we can use the alligator's open mouth to show which number is greater and which is smaller. The alligator will always eat the bigger number!
• Subtraction means taking away. We can use the crocodiles to help us understand how many are left after we take some away.