Lesson Plan
Add It Up Lesson Plan
Students will use manipulatives and number sentences to add numbers within 10 accurately and articulate their reasoning.
Mastering addition within 10 builds a strong foundation for arithmetic fluency, boosts confidence, and prepares 1st graders for more complex math concepts.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Hands-on manipulatives and guided number sentences
Materials
- Number Sentence Cards, - Addition Within 10 Worksheet, and - Counters (e.g., cubes or counting bears)
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print and cut apart Number Sentence Cards.
- Print enough copies of the Addition Within 10 Worksheet for each student.
- Gather counters in small containers for each pair of students.
Step 1
Introduction
2 minutes
- Gather students on the carpet with a set of counters and a whiteboard.
- Model adding 3 counters plus 2 counters, placing each on the whiteboard surface.
- Count all counters together: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5.”
- Write and read aloud the number sentence: 3 + 2 = 5.
Step 2
Guided Practice
8 minutes
- Distribute counters and the Addition Within 10 Worksheet.
- Call out an addition problem (e.g., 4 + 3).
- Students use counters to solve, then draw counters or write the total on their worksheet.
- Guide students to write the matching number sentence from the Number Sentence Cards.
- Circulate, prompt counting strategies, and offer support where needed.
Step 3
Check for Understanding
3 minutes
- Invite two volunteers to share their counters and worksheet solutions at the board.
- Ask each to explain how they counted and wrote their number sentence.
- Provide positive reinforcement and correct misconceptions immediately.
Step 4
Closing
2 minutes
- Review the plus (+) and equals (=) symbols and their order in a number sentence.
- Praise students for their effort and highlight successful strategies.
- Encourage students to practice similar problems at home or during free-choice math time.
Slide Deck
Add It Up!
In this lesson, we will use counters to solve addition problems within 10 and write the matching number sentences.
Welcome students! Today we’re going to practice adding numbers within 10 using counters and number sentences. Encourage everyone to watch and listen closely, then join in when it’s their turn.
Let’s Try One Together
Use your counters:
• Place 3 counters, then add 2 more.
• Count all counters: __
• Write the number sentence: 3 + 2 = __
Model the example slowly: place 3 counters on the mat, then add 2 more. Count together: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5.” Write the number sentence on the board: 3 + 2 = 5. Point out the + and = symbols.
Guided Practice
Solve these with your partner:
- 4 + 3 = __
- 5 + 4 = __
• Draw counters or use real counters
• Write the matching number sentence using Number Sentence Cards
Ask students to work with a partner. Circulate to prompt them: “How many counters did you start with? How many did you add?” Remind them to draw counters on their worksheet and choose the correct sentence card.
Check for Understanding
Volunteers share:
• Show your counters on the board.
• Count aloud the total.
• Read your number sentence.
Remember to use “+” and “=” in the correct order!
Invite two volunteers to come up. Have each student place their counters on the board, count aloud, and read their number sentence. Offer praise and correct gently if needed.
Closing
• + means add
• = shows the answer
Excellent job today! Practice more problems at home or on the Addition Within 10 Worksheet.
Reinforce the symbols and praise effort: “Great work adding today!” Remind students where they can practice more.
Worksheet
Addition Within 10 Worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: _______________
Instructions: Use counters or draw counters to solve each problem. Then write the matching number sentence.
- 2 + 3 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
- 5 + 2 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
- 4 + 4 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
- 1 + 6 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
- 3 + 5 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
- 6 + 2 = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
Your Turn!
Create your own addition problem within 10. Then draw counters and write the matching number sentence.
Problem: ___ + ___ = ___
Draw counters to show the problem:
Write the number sentence:
Answer Key
Addition Within 10 Answer Key
This answer key provides the correct sums, sample counter drawings, and step-by-step reasoning for each problem on the Addition Within 10 Worksheet.
Problem 1: 2 + 3 = 5
Correct Sum: 5
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 2 counters (⚫⚫).
- Draw 3 more counters (⚫⚫⚫).
- Count all counters together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Write the number sentence: 2 + 3 = 5.
Problem 2: 5 + 2 = 7
Correct Sum: 7
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 5 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Draw 2 counters (⚫⚫).
- Count all together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Write the number sentence: 5 + 2 = 7.
Problem 3: 4 + 4 = 8
Correct Sum: 8
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫⚫⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 4 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Draw another 4 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Count all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Write the number sentence: 4 + 4 = 8.
Problem 4: 1 + 6 = 7
Correct Sum: 7
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫ + ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 1 counter (⚫).
- Draw 6 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Count all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Write the number sentence: 1 + 6 = 7.
Problem 5: 3 + 5 = 8
Correct Sum: 8
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 3 counters (⚫⚫⚫).
- Draw 5 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Count all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Write the number sentence: 3 + 5 = 8.
Problem 6: 6 + 2 = 8
Correct Sum: 8
Sample Counters Drawn: ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
- Draw 6 counters (⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫).
- Draw 2 counters (⚫⚫).
- Count all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Write the number sentence: 6 + 2 = 8.
Your Turn! (Students’ Own Problems)
Students create their own addition problem within 10. To grade:
- Check the Problem: Ensure both addends are between 0 and 10 and the total does not exceed 10.
- Inspect the Drawing: Counters drawn should match each addend count.
- Verify Counting: Students can count all counters to confirm their total.
- Confirm Number Sentence: The written equation must correctly reflect their drawing and count.
Example Student Creation:
- Problem: 4 + 3 = 7
- Sample Drawing: ⚫⚫⚫⚫ + ⚫⚫⚫ = ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫
- Number Sentence: 4 + 3 = 7
Teacher Notes:
- Praise correct counting and clear drawings.
- If a student miscounts, guide them to recount each group and then combine.
- Encourage students to say, “I started with __, added __, and got __.”