Addition Games for 4th Graders

In the formative years, a child develops effective skills through play and games. We live in an age where a child spends a major chunk of their time online and on the computer. Online math games and math puzzles are a great way to develop a foundation for math skills in a playful manner and are in alignment with the core curriculum.

A grade 4 child, is now proficient with the mathematical world. The child learns to represent math problems dealing with an addition in multiple ways including numbers, words (mathematical language), drawing pictures, using objects, making a chart, list, or creating math equations using relevant math symbols, etc.

As the fourth grader develops their mathematical skills, try to use clear and precise language in discussions and establish proper reasoning.

 

In grade 4 mathematics study:

• Kids generalize the understanding of place value to 1,000,000, understanding the relative sizes of numbers in each place.
• Developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition of fractions with like denominators
• Solve multistep math word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number answers using the four operations. For example, “Your class is collecting bottled water for a service project. The goal is to collect 300 bottles of water. On the first day, Max brings in 3 packs with 6 bottles in each container. Sarah wheels in 6 packs with 6 bottles in each container. About how many bottles of water still need to be collected?”
• Patterns involving numbers or symbols either repeat or grow. Kids need multiple opportunities creating and extending number and shape patterns. Numerical patterns allow kids to reinforce facts and develop fluency with operations.

 

4 to 7 digit number abacus using place values

An abacus is one of the oldest and most useful math aid for representing numbers and doing various mathematical operations.  It can be used for teaching math based on core curriculum as a manipulative.  

In grade 4, the abacus is handy in representing 4-digit to 7-digit numbers. It makes use of the place values. According to the US place value system, the place value chart is divided into periods and places as follows:  

 

 

The above number pictures represent 4 -digit number place values and representation using the abacus. Each stem of the abacus can take 9 unit balls. So, the largest 4 digit number will be formed by placing 9 unit balls in each stem, i.e. 9999.

 

 

 

Each period has three place values

Ones period: ones, tens, hundreds

Thousands period: thousands, ten thousands and hundred thousands

Millions period: millions, ten millions and hundred millions

A million is a 7 digit number. The largest 7 digit number is 9999999.

Grade 4 math study will not go beyond 1 million.

 

 

We can add any two number with the help of the abacus which involved regrouping also.

Now consider any two numbers;

Step 1: represent the numbers on two different abacuses.

Step 2: Transfer the beads from one abacus to another starting from the ones place and moving up to the highest place value, keeping in mind that 10 ones’ is equivalent to 1 ten; 10 tens’ is equivalent to 1 hundred and so on.

In this example, the numbers at the one’s place are: 7(addend 1) +5 (addend 2) = 12,

Now 12 = 10+2, thus, one bead is added to the ten’s place of the final sum and 2 beads are left in the one’s place

Let’s move onto the ten’s place now, 1 (from carry of the one’s place) + 2 (addend 1) + 4(addend 2) = 7

The numbers in the hundred’s place for both the addends = 6 (addend 1) + 2 (addend 2) = 8

The numbers in the thousand’s place = 3 (addend 1) + 3 (addend 2) = 6

Addend 1 has a digit at the ten thousand place whereas addend 2 is a 4 digit number, so taking it as 0 = 4

Thus, the sum is = 4 6 8 7 2

 

 

 

4 digit number partitioning

 

Any number whether 4-digit or 7 digits can be split into parts according to its place value. For example;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place value cubes and unit cubes as a helpful math aid and teaching manipulative for solving an addition problem stated as per the core curriculum.

Look at the example given below, where it is required to find the sum of two numbers 4655 and 2769. These numbers are first represented using place value cubes and then put together to form a sum.

 

 

Mental math strategy: Partitioning the number        

Suppose there is a math addition problem involving any two 3 digit numbers.  

Say, for example, take a simple case of 3 digit addition with regrouping,

 

455 +380

Well in case of such a first trial would be to note down these two numbers on a piece of paper and start and start solving by adding one by one from the least place value digit.

Another way can be doing the math sum mentally by applying simple mental math strategies without the help of any pen or paper.

What are the two numbers?

455 and 380,

So now if 20 is added to 380 it makes to the nearest hundredth i.e. 400

Thus, breaking a number into parts and then adding. Here the number 455 is broken into two parts (435 and 20) so that this 20 is added to 380 to make 400.

This utilizes the associative property of addition.

 455 +380

= (435+20) +380

= 435 + (20 +380)

= 435+400

Now the addition of two numbers becomes simpler than before. Looking at different place values, in the addend, the tens and one’s place value is zero.

 

435+400 = 835

Is the final answer to the addition of 3 digit number problem?

Isn’t it easy?

Let’s try for a 4 digit number addition with regrouping.

 

 Numerical pattern

In this math problem, the child learns to identify and generate a given number sequence or pattern.

For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence and observe that the terms appear to alternate between odd and even numbers. Explain informally why the numbers will continue to alternate in this way.

Kids investigate different patterns to find rules, identify features in the mathematical patterns, and justify the reason for those features.

 

Example:

Rule: Starting at 1, create a pattern that starts at 5 and adds each number by 5. Stop when you have 6 numbers

In this math problem, the children use addition with the previous number to generate the next number and the

 

Fraction addition with the same denominator  

Step 1: Make sure the bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same.

Step 2: Add the top numbers (the numerators), put the answer over the denominator.

Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)

 

 

Fun Math activities and free educational games for kids

At Fourth Grade, children enjoy exploring Math with fun Math activities and games. Children will enjoy completing these Math games and Free 4th Grade Math worksheets whilst learning at the same time.

 

1. Race to the first 5000: 4 digit addition with regrouping

It’s a very simple math game as well as math educational activity for a 4th grader. Divide the class into 4 teams. Lay down 8 cards in pair of 4 in front of each team. Create an addition problem with two 4-digit numbers.

The team is given time to add the two numbers. The one which gets nearest to or sum as 5000 wins.

Play more rounds, the team that wins the most will win this math game.

1. Spin and Win:

 

This is an interesting math learning game for kids. Add 3 digit numbers to two spinning wheels. Drill a hole in the middle of each spin wheel and attach it to a sheet or a white paper board using paper clips.

 

Paste a pointer with each spinning wheel. Spin the wheels and add the three digit numbers on each of the wheels.

The numbers on the spin wheel can be changed to 4-digit numbers. In this way, the math addition problem can be changed to the addition of 3 digit number and 4 digit number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Math Mat: Fun math addition activity

This 4 digit number addition with carrying math activity that involves multiple addends is a great way to teach simple math additions to kids.

Add numbers in each row and write the final in the circle.  

Add number in each column and write the final answer in the circle below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Find the Missing number

 

Mr. Math Magician is upset and going crazy as some of his numbers have gone missing. Help him find his numbers by solving simple math problem dealing with the 4-digit partition of numbers.

 

Whole numbers from 1000 to 9999 are four digits.

The position of the digit in a number gives its value.

The same math puzzle can be created for 5 digits, 6 digit or 7-digit addition as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Math Riddle (5 digit addition without regrouping or carry): Find the missing digits

 

Maria was trying to understand 5 digit addition problem from her mathematics book. To her disappointment, some of the digits in the addition problems on that page were omitted. Help her find the missing digits in the five digit addition problems.  This same addition puzzle can be designed for more than two addends.

 

           

 

 

 

5. The addition pairs:

 

In this math activity for the fourth grader, the children will pair up two addends to form a sum. This math game for kids can be designed for addition with carrying or without carrying.

 

 

  a. 4 digit addition problem

Find the addend pairs with sum up to 8555.

Drag the addends in the empty boxes provided below.

+=8555

 

6. Linked que: Number pattern addition

 

This math activity is a great way to learn math using mental math strategies.

 

Given below is a sequence of numbers, identify the pattern and predict the next number or find the missing numbers in each.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Fraction addition

 

In this math game, color the cube and then add up the fractions to get to the solution of the math activity.

 

 

 

8. Sugar Cube mountain:  Fun Math puzzle

 

Teaching through simple math puzzles is a great way to learn Math facts and develop mental calculation and thinking skills in a fun and easy way.

 

Most children are much more engaged and motivated solving math puzzles than working out pages of traditional math facts. This also helps your child to develop their Math fact skills as well as their strategic thinking and reasoning.

 

Help Itsy the ant to climb up the sugar mountain by placing the missing numbers in this educational math puzzle. Each sugar cube in a next level is made up by adding the two numbers given in the two sugar cubes below.

About SplashLearn

The simple math blasters and math riddles are designed by people having expertise in early childhood education programs and home schooling curriculum.

The SplashLearn lab activities and adding games help the child to explore mathematical ideas by doing. It emphasis on the heuristic approach of learning.