Add & Subtract Smarts Script

Session 1: What's the Sign?

Warm-Up (5 min)

"Good morning, future math experts! Today, we're going to start an exciting journey to become 'Addition & Subtraction Super Detectives!' (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Look at these two special signs. (Point to the plus sign on the board or Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 2). Has anyone seen this sign before? What do you think it tells us to do?"
(Allow students to share ideas. Guide them to words like 'more', 'together', 'add').

"Now, what about this sign?" (Point to the minus sign on the board or Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 3). "What do you think this one means?"
(Allow students to share ideas. Guide them to words like 'take away', 'less', 'subtract').

Direct Instruction (10 min)

"You've got some great ideas! Let's learn the exact names for these signs and what they help us do. (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 4)"

"This first sign, the one that looks like a cross, is called a plus sign (+). When we see a plus sign, it means we need to add things together. We are putting groups together to find a total or how many we have all together. For example, if I have 3 blue cubes and I add 2 red cubes, I put them together and count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I now have 5 cubes all together. So, 3 plus 2 equals 5."

"Now for our second sign. (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 5) This sign, the straight line, is called a minus sign (-). When we see a minus sign, it means we need to subtract or take away things. We start with a group and then remove some to find out how many are left. For example, if I start with 5 cubes and I take away 1 cube, I have 1, 2, 3, 4 cubes left. So, 5 minus 1 equals 4."

"Let's try a few more with our objects. I will say a problem, and you show me with your cubes or counters. Ready?"

• "Show me 4 cubes. Now, add 3 more cubes. How many do you have now?" (Wait for responses and confirm 7)
• "Show me 7 cubes. Now, take away 2 cubes. How many are left?" (Wait for responses and confirm 5)
• "Great job! You're already becoming amazing math detectives!"

Activity: Symbol Sorting (10 min)

"Now we're going to play a game called Addition/Subtraction Symbol Sorting Activity. I have some cards with little stories on them. Your job is to read the story and decide if it's an addition problem (where we put things together) or a subtraction problem (where we take things away). Then, you'll place the card under the correct sign: plus (+) for adding, or minus (-) for subtracting."

• "Work together in your groups. Talk about why you think a story belongs under the plus sign or the minus sign. This isn't about solving the problem yet, just identifying the operation!"
• (Circulate, listen to discussions, and provide guidance as needed. Ask students to explain their reasoning.)

Cool-Down (5 min)

"Time to wrap up Session 1! For our cool-down, I want each of you to tell me one thing you learned or remembered today about the plus sign or the minus sign."

• (Listen to each student's response. Prompt them to use words like 'add', 'subtract', 'together', 'take away').
  "Excellent work today, everyone! You're off to a fantastic start!"

Session 2: Picture Your Problem

Warm-Up (5 min)

"Welcome back, math detectives! Let's quickly review our signs. If I say 'put together,' which sign am I thinking of?" (Students respond '+') "If I say 'take away,' which sign?" (Students respond '-')

"Today, we're going to learn another super tool for solving math problems: drawing pictures! (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 6)"

Direct Instruction (10 min)

"Sometimes we don't have objects with us, or the numbers are a little bigger. That's when drawing pictures comes in handy!"

"Let's try an addition problem: 6 + 4 = ? (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 6, example 1)"

• "First, I'll draw 6 circles to represent the number 6." (Draw 6 circles on the board).
  
  
  "Then, because it's a PLUS sign, I need to add 4 more circles." (Draw 4 more circles next to the first 6).
  
  
  "Now, I count ALL the circles to find my total: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. So, 6 + 4 = 10!"

"Now for subtraction: 10 - 3 = ? (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 7)"

• "First, I'll draw 10 squares to represent the number 10." (Draw 10 squares on the board).
  
  
  "Then, because it's a MINUS sign, I need to take away 3. How do I show 'taking away' with drawings? That's right, I can cross them out!" (Cross out 3 squares).
  
  
  "Now, I count how many squares are LEFT: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. So, 10 - 3 = 7!"

"Let's try a couple together on your drawing paper. Ready?"

• "Solve 7 + 5 = ? by drawing circles." (Circulate and assist. Confirm 12.)
• "Solve 15 - 6 = ? by drawing squares and crossing some out." (Circulate and assist. Confirm 9.)

Activity: Drawing Problems (10 min)

"You're getting good at this! Now, I have a Add & Subtract Practice Worksheet for you. It has some problems where you'll need to use your drawing skills to solve them. Remember to draw clearly and cross out neatly for subtraction. Work individually on this, but if you have a question, please ask."

• (Distribute Add & Subtract Practice Worksheet and allow students to work. Provide support as needed.)

Cool-Down (5 min)

"Fantastic work with your drawings today! For our cool-down, I want you to draw a quick picture that shows either 5 + 3 or 8 - 2. Don't solve it, just draw the picture that represents the problem."

• (Observe drawings to check for understanding of representation.)
  "Excellent, everyone! See you next time!"

Session 3: The Number Line Navigators

Warm-Up (5 min)

"Hello, math adventurers! Let's start with a quick check. If I see the problem '12 + 5', what does the plus sign tell me to do?" (Students respond: 'add' or 'put together').
"If I see '18 - 9', what does the minus sign tell me to do?" (Students respond: 'subtract' or 'take away').

"Today, we're going to add another cool tool to our math detective kit: the number line! (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 8)"

Direct Instruction (10 min)

"A number line is like a long ruler with numbers on it. We can use it to help us add and subtract."

"Let's try an addition problem: 7 + 5 = ? (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 8, example)"

• "First, we always find our starting number on the number line. So, we'll put our finger or a marker on the number 7."
• "Because it's a PLUS sign, we are adding, which means we move FORWARD, to the right, on the number line. We need to jump forward 5 spaces." (Demonstrate on a large number line, counting jumps.)
• "Where did we land? That's right, 12! So, 7 + 5 = 12."

"Now for subtraction: 12 - 4 = ? (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 9)"

• "Again, we start at our first number, 12. Find 12 on the number line."
• "Because it's a MINUS sign, we are subtracting, which means we move BACKWARD, to the left, on the number line. We need to jump backward 4 spaces." (Demonstrate on a large number line, counting jumps.)
• "Where did we land this time? Yes, 8! So, 12 - 4 = 8."

"Let's try a couple together using your individual number lines."

• "Solve 9 + 6 = ?" (Circulate and assist. Confirm 15.)
• "Solve 17 - 8 = ?" (Circulate and assist. Confirm 9.)

Activity: Number Line Up To 20 (10 min)

"Time to become number line navigators! I have a Number Line Up To 20 Activity for you. It has several addition and subtraction problems. You'll use your number line to solve each one. Remember to start at the first number and jump the correct direction for plus or minus. You can draw the jumps if it helps you keep track."

• (Distribute Number Line Up To 20 Activity and allow students to work. Provide support as needed.)

Cool-Down (5 min)

"Great work using the number line today! For our cool-down, tell me: when you add on a number line, which way do you move? When you subtract, which way do you move?"

• (Listen to responses, confirming 'right' for addition and 'left' for subtraction.)
  "Excellent! You're mastering these tools!"

Session 4: Place Value Power!

Warm-Up (5 min)

"Welcome, brilliant mathematicians! Today, we're going to explore something super important that helps us understand bigger numbers: place value! (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 10)"

"Look at the number 34. Can anyone tell me what the '3' means in 34? What about the '4'?" (Allow students to share. Guide them towards 'tens' and 'ones'. Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 11.)

Direct Instruction (10 min)

"You're right! In 34, the '3' means 3 tens, and the '4' means 4 ones. That's what place value is all about – the position of a digit tells us how much it's worth!"

"We know about ones and tens. Today, we're adding a new, even bigger place: the hundreds place! (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 12)"

• "Think of it like this: A single cube is 1 one. A stick of ten cubes is 1 ten. And a flat square of 100 cubes is 1 hundred!"
• "So, in a number like 125, we have 3 places: The ones place is on the far right (point). The tens place is next (point). And the hundreds place is on the far left (point). (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 13)"
• "In 125, the '5' is in the ones place, so it means 5 ones. The '2' is in the tens place, so it means 2 tens, or 20. And the '1' is in the hundreds place, so it means 1 hundred, or 100."

"Let's use our base ten blocks or draw them to understand this better. (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 14)"

• "If I want to show the number 134, how many hundreds blocks do I need?" (Wait for '1') "How many tens blocks?" (Wait for '3') "And how many ones blocks?" (Wait for '4')
• (Build the number with blocks or draw on the board, having students follow along if they have physical blocks or paper.)

Activity: Place Value Puzzlers (10 min)

"Now it's your turn to be place value builders! I have the Place Value Puzzlers Activity for you. You'll be given some numbers, and you'll either use your base ten blocks to build them or draw the hundreds flats, tens sticks, and ones cubes to show what each digit means. Make sure you can tell me what each digit is worth!"

• (Distribute Place Value Puzzlers Activity and materials. Circulate and assist, asking questions like, 'What does the 7 mean in 72?')

Cool-Down (5 min)

"Excellent exploration of place value today! For our cool-down (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 15), I want you to write down any 3-digit number. Then, circle the digit in the tens place, and tell me what that digit's value is (e.g., if you wrote 153 and circled the 5, you'd say '5 tens' or '50')."

• (Check student responses. Address any misconceptions.)
  "Wonderful work today! You're really thinking like mathematicians!"

Session 5: Putting It All Together & Assessing

Warm-Up (5 min)

"Welcome to our final session, Math Superstars! Today, we're going to put all our amazing math detective skills to the test! (Display Add & Subtract Smarts Slide Deck - Slide 16)"

"Let's do a quick review. If I ask you to solve '8 + 6', what are some ways you could do it?" (Guide students to mention objects, drawings, or number line.)
"What if I ask you to solve '14 - 7'?" (Guide students to mention objects, drawings, or number line.)
"And finally, if I show you the number 258, can you tell me what the '2' means? What about the '5'? And the '8'?" (Confirm '2 hundreds', '5 tens', '8 ones').

Quiz (10 min)

"You've been working so hard and learning so much! Now it's time to show me everything you know. We're going to start with a Add & Subtract Quiz. This quiz will help me see what you've mastered and if there's anything we need to practice a little more."

• "Read each question carefully. You can use objects, draw pictures, or use a number line if it helps you. Do your best work!"
• (Distribute Add & Subtract Quiz. Provide quiet support as needed, reminding students of strategies but not giving answers. Collect quizzes when done.)

Activity: Math Detective Challenge (10 min)

"Great job on the quiz! While I look those over, let's do one last fun activity. We'll play a 'Math Detective Challenge.' I will give you a problem, and you have to decide which tool would be the best to solve it (objects, drawings, or number line) and then solve it!"

• "Problem 1: 'You have 4 toy cars, and your friend gives you 7 more. How many cars do you have now?'" (Discuss strategies, confirm 11.)
• "Problem 2: 'There were 18 cookies on a plate. You ate 5 of them. How many cookies are left?'" (Discuss strategies, confirm 13.)
• "Problem 3: 'What is the value of the '7' in the number 172?'" (Discuss strategies, confirm '7 tens' or '70')

Test (5 min)

"Alright, detectives, your final mission! We have a Add & Subtract Test to really show off all your skills. This is your chance to shine and show how much you've grown in understanding addition, subtraction, and place value."

• "Just like the quiz, take your time, read carefully, and use any of the strategies we've learned. You've got this!"
• (Distribute Add & Subtract Test. Monitor students quietly. Collect tests when done.)

Cool-Down (Optional, if time allows)

"Amazing effort today, everyone! What was your favorite math tool we learned to use? Objects, drawing pictures, or the number line? Why?" (Allow students to share briefly.)

"You've all become fantastic 'Add & Subtract Smarts' detectives. I'm so proud of your hard work!"

Add & Subtract Practice Worksheet

Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Decide if you need to add (+) or subtract (-). Then, use objects or draw pictures to solve the problem. Show your work in the space provided.

Part 1: Adding with Objects or Drawings

1. You have 5 red apples and 3 green apples. How many apples do you have in total?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

2. There are 7 birds on a tree. 4 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are there now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

3. My friend has 9 stickers, and I have 6 stickers. How many stickers do we have altogether?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

4. Solve: 8 + 5 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

5. Solve: 11 + 7 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

Part 2: Subtracting with Objects or Drawings

1. You have 10 cookies. You eat 4 of them. How many cookies are left?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

2. There are 12 balloons. 5 balloons fly away. How many balloons are left?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

3. I had 15 pencils. I gave 8 pencils to my classmates. How many pencils do I have now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

4. Solve: 17 - 6 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

5. Solve: 20 - 9 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

Add & Subtract Smarts Discussion Prompts

These prompts are designed to encourage students to articulate their understanding and reasoning about addition, subtraction, and place value. Encourage active listening and respectful sharing of ideas within the small group.

Understanding Symbols and Operations

1. When you see a plus sign (+), what does your brain immediately tell you to do with the numbers? Can you give an example using objects or your fingers?
   
   
   
2. When you see a minus sign (-), what action does it tell you to take with the numbers? Share an example where you would use a minus sign.
   
   
   
3. Why is it important to know the difference between adding and subtracting before you even start to solve a problem?
   
   
   

Strategies for Solving Problems

4. Imagine you need to solve 9 + 7. If you don't have objects, how could drawing pictures help you find the answer?
   
   
   
5. How is using a number line to add different from using a number line to subtract? Which way do you move for each?
   
   
   
6. Which strategy do you like best for solving problems up to 20 (objects, drawings, or number line)? Why? Is there a time when one strategy might be better than another?
   
   
   

Understanding Place Value

7. In the number 52, what does the '5' mean? What does the '2' mean? How is this different from the number 25?
   
   
   
8. If you have the number 136, how many hundreds, tens, and ones are there? How do you know?
   
   
   
9. Why do you think understanding tens and ones (and hundreds!) is important, especially when we start working with bigger numbers?
   
   
   

Connecting to Real Life

10. Can you think of a real-life situation where you might need to use addition? What about subtraction?
    
    
    
11. When you see prices in a store, like $1.50, how does understanding place value (hundreds, tens, ones, even if it's cents) help you understand the price?

Addition/Subtraction Symbol Sorting Activity

Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________

Instructions: Cut out the word problem cards below. Read each problem. Decide if the problem means you need to add (put together) or subtract (take away). Glue or place the card under the correct symbol. We are just sorting today, not solving!

Plus Sign (+) for ADDING

Minus Sign (-) for SUBTRACTING

Word Problem Cards (Cut these out!)

• Card 1: John had 6 toy cars. His friend gave him 3 more. How many cars does he have now?

• Card 2: There were 10 cookies on a plate. Sarah ate 4 cookies. How many cookies are left?

• Card 3: Maria has 5 blue pens and 7 red pens. How many pens does she have in total?

• Card 4: A tree had 15 leaves. 8 leaves fell off. How many leaves are still on the tree?

• Card 5: You have 8 stickers. You get 2 more stickers from your teacher. How many stickers do you have now?

• Card 6: There were 12 birds in a nest. 3 birds flew away. How many birds are still in the nest?

• Card 7: My mom baked 9 cupcakes. My dad baked 7 cupcakes. How many cupcakes did they bake altogether?

• Card 8: I had 11 marbles. I lost 5 marbles. How many marbles do I have left?

Number Line Up To 20 Activity

Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________

Instructions: Use the number line below to help you solve the addition and subtraction problems. Remember to start at the first number and jump forward for (+) addition, or backward for (-) subtraction. Draw your jumps!

Number Line (0-20)

0—1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10—11—12—13—14—15—16—17—18—19—20

Practice Problems

1. 8 + 4 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

2. 10 - 3 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

3. 7 + 6 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

4. 15 - 7 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

5. 9 + 9 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

6. 18 - 5 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

7. 13 + 2 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

8. 16 - 8 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

9. 5 + 10 = ?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _____________

10. 19 - 4 = ?
    
    
    
    
    Answer: _____________

Place Value Puzzlers Activity

Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________

Instructions: For each number, either use your base ten blocks to build it, or draw squares for hundreds, sticks for tens, and small circles for ones. Then, write down what each digit means.

Problem 1: Number 34

Draw/Build:

What does the 3 mean? _____________________________

What does the 4 mean? _____________________________

Problem 2: Number 58

Draw/Build:

What does the 5 mean? _____________________________

What does the 8 mean? _____________________________

Problem 3: Number 100

Draw/Build:

What does the 1 mean? _____________________________

What does the 0 (tens) mean? _____________________________

What does the 0 (ones) mean? _____________________________

Problem 4: Number 125

Draw/Build:

What does the 1 mean? _____________________________

What does the 2 mean? _____________________________

What does the 5 mean? _____________________________

Problem 5: Number 207

Draw/Build:

What does the 2 mean? _____________________________

What does the 0 mean? _____________________________

What does the 7 mean? _____________________________

Answer Key

This answer key provides solutions and explanations for the Add & Subtract Practice Worksheet, Add & Subtract Quiz, and Add & Subtract Test. Encourage students to show their work and thought process, even if their final answer is correct.

Add & Subtract Practice Worksheet - Answer Key

Part 1: Adding with Objects or Drawings

1. Problem: You have 5 red apples and 3 green apples. How many apples do you have in total?
   Operation: Addition (5 + 3)
   Thought Process: Start with 5 objects/drawings, then add 3 more. Count all together.
   Answer: 8 apples

2. Problem: There are 7 birds on a tree. 4 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are there now?
   Operation: Addition (7 + 4)
   Thought Process: Start with 7 objects/drawings, then add 4 more. Count all together.
   Answer: 11 birds

3. Problem: My friend has 9 stickers, and I have 6 stickers. How many stickers do we have altogether?
   Operation: Addition (9 + 6)
   Thought Process: Start with 9 objects/drawings, then add 6 more. Count all together.
   Answer: 15 stickers

4. Problem: Solve: 8 + 5 = ?
   Operation: Addition
   Thought Process: Start with 8, add 5 more using objects or drawings.
   Answer: 13

5. Problem: Solve: 11 + 7 = ?
   Operation: Addition
   Thought Process: Start with 11, add 7 more using objects or drawings.
   Answer: 18

Part 2: Subtracting with Objects or Drawings

1. Problem: You have 10 cookies. You eat 4 of them. How many cookies are left?
   Operation: Subtraction (10 - 4)
   Thought Process: Start with 10 objects/drawings, then take away/cross out 4. Count what is left.
   Answer: 6 cookies

2. Problem: There are 12 balloons. 5 balloons fly away. How many balloons are left?
   Operation: Subtraction (12 - 5)
   Thought Process: Start with 12 objects/drawings, then take away/cross out 5. Count what is left.
   Answer: 7 balloons

3. Problem: I had 15 pencils. I gave 8 pencils to my classmates. How many pencils do I have now?
   Operation: Subtraction (15 - 8)
   Thought Process: Start with 15 objects/drawings, then take away/cross out 8. Count what is left.
   Answer: 7 pencils

4. Problem: Solve: 17 - 6 = ?
   Operation: Subtraction
   Thought Process: Start with 17, take away 6 using objects or drawings.
   Answer: 11

5. Problem: Solve: 20 - 9 = ?
   Operation: Subtraction
   Thought Process: Start with 20, take away 9 using objects or drawings.
   Answer: 11

Add & Subtract Quiz - Answer Key

1. Which sign means you need to put numbers together to find a total?
   Answer: +

2. Which sign means you need to take numbers away to find what is left?
   Answer: -

3. Solve 7 + 4. You can use objects or draw a picture.
   Thought Process: Students should show 7 items and 4 items combined, then counted.
   Answer: 11

4. Solve 13 - 5. You can use objects or draw a picture.
   Thought Process: Students should show 13 items, then 5 items crossed out. Count remaining.
   Answer: 8

5. Use the number line to solve 9 + 6.
   Thought Process: Start at 9, jump 6 spaces to the right.
   Answer: 15

6. Use the number line to solve 17 - 8.
   Thought Process: Start at 17, jump 8 spaces to the left.
   Answer: 9

7. In the number 42, which digit is in the tens place?
   Answer: 4

8. What is the value of the digit '7' in the number 73?
   Answer: 7 tens (or 70)

9. Draw a picture to show the number 135 using hundreds, tens, and ones.
   Thought Process: Students should draw 1 square (hundred), 3 sticks (tens), and 5 small circles (ones).
   Answer: (Visual representation: 1 hundred, 3 tens, 5 ones)

10. If you have 6 crayons and get 8 more, what math problem would you write to solve it, and what is the answer?
    Problem: 6 + 8
    Answer: 14

Add & Subtract Test - Answer Key

1. Which operation means to combine groups?
   Answer: Addition

2. Which operation means to take away from a group?
   Answer: Subtraction

3. Draw a picture to solve: 9 + 7 = ?
   Thought Process: Students should draw 9 items and 7 items combined, then counted.
   Answer: 16

4. Draw a picture to solve: 16 - 8 = ?
   Thought Process: Students should draw 16 items, then 8 items crossed out. Count remaining.
   Answer: 8

5. Use the number line to solve: 11 + 5 = ?
   Thought Process: Start at 11, jump 5 spaces to the right.
   Answer: 16

6. Use the number line to solve: 19 - 6 = ?
   Thought Process: Start at 19, jump 6 spaces to the left.
   Answer: 13

7. In the number 75, what does the digit '7' represent?
   Answer: 7 tens (or 70)

8. In the number 138, which digit is in the ones place?
   Answer: 8

9. Draw a picture using hundreds, tens, and ones to represent the number 214.
   Thought Process: Students should draw 2 squares (hundreds), 1 stick (ten), and 4 small circles (ones).
   Answer: (Visual representation: 2 hundreds, 1 ten, 4 ones)

10. Write the number that has 1 hundred, 6 tens, and 3 ones.
    Answer: 163

11. A baker made 10 cupcakes. She sold 6 cupcakes. How many cupcakes are left? What math problem did you use to solve it?
    Problem: 10 - 6
    Answer: 4

12. You have 8 red balls and 9 blue balls. How many balls do you have in total? What math problem did you use to solve it?
    Problem: 8 + 9
    Answer: 17