We have been working hard to show our mathematical thinking when solving story problems.  We are trying to really understand what the question is asking and to answer that question.  
We have learned about 2 types of problems- "put together" problems and "take apart" problems.  In a put together problem we are told the parts, but we need to find out the total or whole.  In a take apart problem we are given the total or whole and we need to find the parts. This is a hard concept which takes a ton practice to master.  We will continue to practice in the third trimester and we will throw subtraction into the mix!😎

This is a "put together" problem.  4 blue kites and 3 red kites make 7 kites in all. 

This is a "take apart" problem.  We know there are 6 kites in all, but how many are blue and how many are red?