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Adding It All Up!

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Lucy Steer

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Session 1

Introduce 4th graders to basic addition strategies while building mental math skills through interactive activities.

Mastering addition is crucial for developing problem-solving and higher math skills; this session lays a strong foundation for further numerical concepts.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions and hands-on activities.

Materials

Lesson Plan: Session 1, Interactive Addition Game Instructions, and Mental Math Tips Guide

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review Lesson Plan: Session 1 to understand session flow.
  • Prepare interactive activity materials (e.g., addition game setup, worksheets).
  • Familiarize with Mental Math Tips Guide to provide additional support during discussions.
  • Set up the classroom for group activities and ensure necessary materials are ready.

Step 1

Introduction and Explore Addition Concepts

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion on what addition means and its everyday importance.
  • Ask students to share examples of where they use addition in real life.
  • Introduce simple addition problems on the board to spark interest.

Step 2

Interactive Addition Game

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups for a fast-paced addition game using Interactive Addition Game Instructions.
  • Monitor and support groups as they solve addition challenges.
  • Encourage students to explain their thought process and techniques.
  • Use time pressure to foster quick mental calculations.

Step 3

Wrap-Up and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Gather students for a brief recap of the concepts learned.
  • Ask reflective questions about strategies used for solving addition problems.
  • Provide constructive feedback and preview what will come in the next session.
lenny

Slide Deck

Addition: Let's Get Started!

Welcome 4th Graders!
Today we're diving into addition to sharpen our math skills.

Introduce the session with an upbeat welcome and briefly mention that we will be exploring the exciting world of addition. Highlight the importance of addition in everyday life.

What is Addition?

• Combining numbers
• Finding totals
• Example: 3 + 2 = 5

Can you think of times when you add things up during the day?

Discuss what addition means and connect it to familiar experiences. Ask guiding questions to draw examples from everyday life.

Addition in Action

Try these problems:

  1. 7 + 5 = ?
  2. 12 + 8 = ?
  3. 15 + 10 = ?

Let's solve them together!

Show examples on the board. Encourage students to solve these mentally and explain their steps.

Interactive Addition Game

• Work in small groups
• Follow prompts from the game instructions
• Think fast and solve the problems!

Interactive Addition Game Instructions

Introduce the interactive game for practicing addition. Make sure to remind students to explain their strategies and support each other.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• What did we learn about addition?
• Which strategy helped you the most?

Great job today! Prepare for our next session where we'll build on these skills.

Wrap up by reviewing key points discussed during the session. Pose reflection questions to check understanding.

lenny

Activity

Interactive Addition Game Setup

Game Overview

In this interactive game, 4th graders will work in small groups to solve addition problems as quickly as possible. The emphasis is on both speed and accuracy. This game is designed to foster teamwork and boost mental math skills.

Game Rules

  1. Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group).


  2. Starting the Game: Each group receives a set of addition problems. The teacher will announce the start of the game with a signal (e.g., a whistle or a countdown).


  3. Solving Problems: Groups work together to solve the problems. They must write down their answers on provided worksheets.


  4. Time Limit: Each round of the game is timed (suggested: 5-7 minutes per round).


  5. Checking Answers: At the end of each round, the teacher reviews the answers. Correct answers earn points. Incorrect answers provide an opportunity for a brief explanation and reattempt if time allows.

Materials

  • Worksheets with a variety of addition problems


  • Pencils and erasers


  • Timer or stopwatch


  • Slide Deck: Session 1 for reference during the game

Gameplay Variations

  • Competitive Play: Groups compete to solve the most problems correctly within the time limit. The group with the highest score wins the round.


  • Strategy Sharing: After each round, ask groups to share one strategy they used to solve the problems quickly. This discussion can help reinforce mental math techniques for everyone.


  • Challenge Mode: For advanced students, include problems that involve carrying over numbers for extra challenge.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage students to explain their reasoning as they work together.


  • Circulate among the groups to provide support and guidance where necessary.


  • Emphasize that mistakes are a learning opportunity, and the focus is on improvement over time.

Enjoy the game and have fun adding it all up!

Teacher, feel free to adapt the game rules or time limits to best suit your classroom's pace and needs. Happy teaching!

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Session 2

Deepen students' understanding of addition by tackling more complex problems and applying real-world scenarios to build advanced mental math skills.

Enhancing addition skills with complex problems prepares students for future math concepts and improves everyday problem-solving abilities by applying learned strategies to practical situations.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Real-world scenarios and challenging group activities.

Materials

Lesson Plan: Session 2, Interactive Addition Game Instructions, and Real-World Addition Worksheet

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review previous session’s materials for continuity.
  • Prepare additional worksheets featuring complex addition problems with carrying over and real-world contexts (Real-World Addition Worksheet).
  • Set up the classroom for group activities similar to the Interactive Addition Game.

Step 1

Review and Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick recap of Session 1's key addition concepts.
  • Ask students to share strategies that helped them in the previous session.
  • Introduce the goals for this session emphasizing more complex problems.

Step 2

Real-World Addition Challenges

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Real-World Addition Worksheet with scenarios that require multi-digit addition and carrying over.
  • In small groups, have students work together to solve these problems.
  • Encourage discussion on different strategies and solutions during the activity.

Step 3

Wrap-Up and Reflection

10 minutes

  • Gather students and ask them to share insights on the challenges they faced.
  • Discuss which strategies worked best and why.
  • Provide feedback and outline how these skills connect to everyday problem-solving.
  • Preview upcoming lessons to build excitement for continued learning.
lenny

Slide Deck

Complex Addition: Taking It Further!

Welcome 4th Graders!
Today, we are diving into more challenging addition problems that help solve real-life situations.

Kick off the session by welcoming students and introducing the idea that today's lesson will explore more challenging addition problems. Emphasize how these problems connect to real-world scenarios.

Recap: Our Addition Strategies

• Remember how we solved simple addition problems?
• What strategies helped you in Session 1?
• Let’s build on those strategies for today’s challenges!

Review strategies from the previous session, briefly touching on the fundamentals before moving on to more complex scenarios. Prompt students to recall what worked well during the initial session.

Real-World Addition Challenges

Imagine you’re at a store:

  • Adding prices to see how much you spend
  • Calculating the total distance for your trip

How do these examples remind you about the importance of precise addition?

Present a few real-world scenarios that require complex addition, such as adding prices during shopping, calculating distances, or combining numbers in a game. Encourage students to think of other real-world examples.

Group Activity: Real-World Problem Solving

• Work in your groups and use the Real-World Addition Worksheet.
• Solve the multi-digit addition challenges provided.
• Share your strategy with your team and compare approaches after completing the problems.

Introduce the real-world group activity where students will apply their skills to solve multi-digit addition problems. Reference the worksheet for detailed scenarios and encourage discussion among groups.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• What challenges did you face during the activity?
• Which strategies were the most effective?
• How does mastering addition help you in everyday life?

Great work today! Keep sharpening those skills.

Conclude the session with open-ended questions that encourage reflection and discussion about the methods they used. Highlight the connection between these addition skills and everyday problem-solving.

lenny

Worksheet

Real-World Addition Worksheet

Welcome 4th Graders! In this worksheet, you'll solve real-world addition problems. Read each scenario carefully and show your work. Use the space provided to write your answers. Remember to check your work and think about the steps you take with each problem.

Scenario 1: Grocery Shopping

Imagine you are at the store and need to buy fruits. You picked up the following items:

  • Apples: $12
  • Bananas: $8
  • Oranges: $15
  1. What is the total cost of your fruits?





Scenario 2: Planning a Party

You are planning a small party. Here are some expenses:

  • Balloons: $18
  • Decorations: $25
  • Snacks: $30
  1. Add the costs to find out how much money you need for these party supplies.





Scenario 3: Road Trip

You are going on a road trip and need to calculate the distances covered. The distances between your stops are as follows:

  • Leg 1: 47 miles
  • Leg 2: 58 miles
  • Leg 3: 69 miles
  1. What is the total distance you will travel during your road trip?





Scenario 4: Book Fair

At a book fair, you decide to buy some books. The prices of the books you want are:

  • Book A: $26
  • Book B: $34
  • Book C: $19
  1. Use addition to calculate the total cost of all three books.





Challenge Problem

Imagine you have a savings jar. On Monday, you saved $45, on Tuesday you added $38, and on Wednesday you put in $52.

  1. Find out how much money is in your savings jar after Wednesday.





When you're finished, review your work and make sure each addition problem is complete. Great job solving these problems!

lenny
lenny