Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize plus and minus signs and match them to common word problem keywords. They will practice sorting and labeling operations to build a foundation for choosing between addition and subtraction.
Understanding operation signs and keywords helps students decode word problems efficiently, strengthening problem-solving skills and building confidence in selecting the correct operation.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Sign Recognition Activity
8 minutes
Step 3
Keyword Identification
10 minutes
Step 4
Independent Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
Closing and Exit Ticket
2 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 1: Recognizing Addition & Subtraction
Learning Objectives
What Does “+” Mean?
What Does “–” Mean?
Sign Recognition Activity
Addition vs. Subtraction Keywords
Keyword Identification Activity
Independent Practice
Exit Ticket
Worksheet
Answer Key
Script
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Students will use place value concepts and base-ten manipulatives to model two-digit word problems, decide whether to add or subtract, and solve the corresponding equations.
Strengthening place value understanding helps students see how numbers split into tens and ones, making addition and subtraction more intuitive, reducing errors, and building fluency with two-digit calculations.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction & Review
5 minutes
Step 2
Place Value Modeling
7 minutes
Step 3
Guided Word Problem
10 minutes
Step 4
Small Group Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
Exit Ticket
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 2: Using Place Value for Addition & Subtraction
Learning Objectives
Review: Addition & Subtraction Keywords
Place Value Materials
Modeling a Two-Digit Number
Guided Word Problem
Small Group Practice
Exit Ticket
