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Show and Tell
Shark Swimathon
by Stuart J. Murphy
The Sharks swim team would like to go to swim camp this summer, but they need money! Luckily for them the local paper is offering a deal: any team who swims a total of 75 laps by Friday will get to go. Let’s go Sharks!
Resources for Shark Swimathon:
Full Book Review (English)
Full Book Review (Spanish)
Brief Book Review (English)
Brief Book Review (Spanish)
**Spanish Versions Coming Soon!
Activities for Shark Swimathon:
Race to Zero
**Spanish Versions Coming Soon!
Will the Sharks swim team get to go to swim camp this summer?
Topics: Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers, Composing and Decomposing Tens
Activities To Do Together:
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Use Shark Swimathon to reinforce the skill of two-digit subtraction.
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Find out what word your child has learned to describe this step in subtraction: decompose, borrow, rename, regroup, or something else.
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If your child does not yet understand regrouping in subtraction, use concrete objects to explain. Money works well!
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To practice regrouping in subtraction, you might have your child come up with a goal they would like to achieve by the end of a week. For example: collect 50 rocks, drink 30 cups of water, run/walk 12 miles, etc. Ask your child to write the goal on a piece of paper and then subtract each day’s total. Celebrate when they make their goal!
Extension Questions:
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Do you think the Sharks will meet their goal of 75 laps by Friday? Why or why not?
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What is another way Coach Blue could have kept track of the number of laps the Sharks had swum? Could she have used addition?
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In the story, Coach Blue used the traditional way of subtracting with regrouping. What other strategies could you use to solve a subtraction problem?
Vocabulary for Building Math Concepts:
subtracted, totaled
Please check out the Book Guide for Shark Swimathon for more!
Online External Resources for Shark Swimathon: