Adding Adventures

Sharon Busch

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Sum Safari Lesson Plan

Students will build foundational addition skills by combining real-life objects to form sums up to 5, then record their findings as addition sentences. They will practice counting and writing sums both independently and with partners.

Early exposure to addition with tangible objects helps kindergarteners develop number sense, confidence, and a concrete understanding of combining quantities, setting the stage for more advanced math concepts.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Hands-on exploration with guided practice.

Materials

Real-Life Objects (toy animals, blocks, counters), - Dry-Erase Boards and Markers, - Sum Safari Counting Cards, and - Sum Safari Recording Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Gather enough real-life objects such as small plastic animals or blocks for each student pair
Print and prepare Sum Safari Counting Cards
Print and copy Sum Safari Recording Sheet
Arrange manipulatives and dry-erase boards at each work station

Step 1

Engage with the Safari Theme

2 minutes

Introduce the “Sum Safari” theme and explain that students will be addition explorers today
Display a small group of items and ask students to count them together aloud
Pose a simple addition question (e.g., “What is 2 animals plus 3 animals?”) to spark interest

Step 2

Model Addition

3 minutes

Use manipulatives to demonstrate combining two groups (e.g., 2 blocks + 3 blocks)
Count all items together, emphasizing “plus” and “equals” language
Write the corresponding addition sentence (2 + 3 = 5) on the board while verbalizing each symbol

Step 3

Guided Practice

6 minutes

Pair students and provide each pair with manipulatives, Sum Safari Counting Cards, and a Sum Safari Recording Sheet
Prompt pairs to select two cards, model the sum with objects, and record the sentence on their sheet
Circulate to support counting, correct misconceptions, and scaffold where needed

Step 4

Share and Assess

4 minutes

Invite pairs to share one of their addition sentences with the class
Ask probing questions (e.g., “How did you know to count all the objects?”) to check understanding
Collect Sum Safari Recording Sheet to review individual progress and inform next instruction

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Lesson Plan

Adding Adventures Lesson Plan

Students will practice addition by combining small groups of objects and recording sums up to 10, using engaging story prompts to build number sense and confidence.

Introducing addition through stories and hands-on activities makes abstract concepts concrete, supports the development of early number sense, and engages kindergarteners in meaningful math learning.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Story-based, hands-on exploration

Materials

Real-Life Objects (counters, blocks, toy animals), - Dry-Erase Boards and Markers, - Adding Adventures Story Cards, and - Adding Adventures Recording Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Gather sufficient counters, blocks, or toy animals for each student or pair
Print and cut out Adding Adventures Story Cards
Print copies of the Adding Adventures Recording Sheet
Arrange manipulatives and dry-erase supplies at each workstation

Step 1

Introduce the Adventure

2 minutes

Share the ‘Adding Adventures’ theme and explain that students are math explorers on a quest
Read or display a simple story card (e.g., “Two monkeys found three bananas in the jungle”)
Ask students to visualize and count the groups in the story

Step 2

Model Addition

3 minutes

Use manipulatives to represent the story (e.g., place 2 monkey figures + 3 banana counters)
Count all items together, emphasizing “plus” and “equals” language
Write the corresponding addition sentence (2 + 3 = 5) on the board, verbalizing each step

Step 3

Guided Practice

6 minutes

Pair students and give each pair manipulatives, a story card, and a recording sheet
Prompt pairs to act out the story with objects and write the matching addition sentence on their sheet
Circulate to support counting strategies and correct any misconceptions

Step 4

Share and Reflect

4 minutes

Invite a few pairs to share one of their addition sentences and explain how they counted
Ask questions like “How did you know how many there were in total?” to check understanding
Collect Adding Adventures Recording Sheet to assess individual progress

Slide Deck

Adding Adventures

Fun with Addition!

Welcome students and introduce the slide deck. Explain that today we’re going on an Addition Adventure to combine two small groups and find the total.

Materials You Need

Counters, blocks, or toy animals
Dry-Erase Boards and Markers
Adding Adventures Story Cards
Adding Adventures Recording Sheet

Review all materials before class. Show physical manipulatives and where story cards and recording sheets are located.

Introduce the Adventure

Two monkeys found three bananas in the jungle.

How many items are there altogether?

Read the story card aloud. Encourage students to close their eyes and picture the groups in their minds. Then ask them to count each group.

Let’s Model Addition

Place 2 monkey figures + 3 banana counters
Count all together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Write the addition sentence: 2 + 3 = 5

Demonstrate combining objects. Emphasize the words “plus” and “equals.” Write the number sentence step by step on the board.

Guided Practice

• Work with your partner
• Choose a story card
• Use objects to show the groups
• Write the matching addition sentence on your sheet

Divide students into pairs. Distribute story cards and recording sheets. Prompt partners to act out their story and record their sums.

Share & Reflect

• Share an addition sentence with the class
• Explain how you counted all the objects

Great job, explorers!

Invite volunteers to share one addition sentence. Ask how they counted and discuss any strategies. Collect recording sheets when finished.

Activity

Adding Adventures Story Cards

Use these story cards for your math explorers to act out addition problems with manipulatives.

Cards:

Two monkeys found three bananas in the jungle.
Four ducks found two eggs in the pond.
Three frogs saw five lily pads.
One cat chased four mice in the barn.
Five birds built two nests in the tree.
Three boats caught three fish in the lake.

Students can pick a card, gather the described objects, combine the groups, count the total, and write the matching addition sentence on their recording sheet.

Worksheet

Adding Adventures Recording Sheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

Instructions: Use your Adding Adventures Story Cards to act out each problem with manipulatives. Then draw the objects in the box and write the matching addition sentence.

Problem 1 (Story Card 1)