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Number Ninjas Unite

Lesson Plan

Number Ninjas Lesson Plan

Students will collaborate in small groups to solve addition and subtraction problems within 1,000 with accuracy and fluency, using place-value strategies and mental math.

Mastery of addition and subtraction within 1,000 builds foundational number sense and paves the way for more complex math. Collaborative, game-based practice boosts engagement, confidence, and peer learning.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Group games with guided practice

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Modeling

5 minutes

  • Gather students at the class whiteboard.
  • Model solving one addition and one subtraction problem within 1,000 using place-value strategies (e.g., breaking numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones).
  • Ask two volunteers to demonstrate the same on their dry-erase boards.
  • Emphasize clear notation and checking work.

Step 2

Small Group Ninja Stations

20 minutes

  • Divide students into prearranged groups of 3–4.
  • Distribute one deck of Addition and Subtraction Ninja Cards, a Ninja Scoreboard Chart, and Ninja Group Recording Sheets to each group.
  • Groups take turns drawing a card, solving the problem on their dry-erase boards, and recording the solution on the group sheet.
  • Award one point for a correct answer; track scores on the scoreboard chart.
  • Circulate to prompt use of place-value strategies, encourage peer explanation, and offer quick checks.

Step 3

Closing and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Reconvene whole class and have each group share one strategy they used to solve a challenging problem.
  • Highlight correct solutions and effective methods observed during station work.
  • Collect Ninja Group Recording Sheets for formative assessment.
  • Provide brief feedback and set goals for future practice.
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Slide Deck

Number Ninjas Unite!

Mastering Addition & Subtraction within 1,000

TEKS 3.5A Tier 1 Lesson – 30 Minutes

Welcome, Number Ninjas! Today we’re on a mission to master addition and subtraction within 1,000. Get ready to work together, sharpen your strategies, and earn points as you conquer ninja problems.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of today, students will:

• Collaborate in small groups to solve addition and subtraction problems within 1,000
• Use place-value strategies and mental math with accuracy
• Build fluency and confidence through game-based practice

Read through each objective with students. Emphasize collaboration, accuracy, and fluency. Let them know they’ll use place-value strategies and mental math to solve problems.

Warm-Up & Modeling

• Gather at the class whiteboard
• I will model one addition and one subtraction problem within 1,000, using place-value strategies
• Two volunteers will solve similar problems on dry-erase boards
• Focus on clear steps and checking your answer

Explain that before we head to stations, we’ll warm up at the whiteboard. Model clear notation, step-by-step thinking, and checking work. Invite volunteers.

Place-Value Strategy Examples

Example 1: 456 + 378
– (6 + 8 = 14 → write 4, carry 1; 5 + 7 + 1 = 13; 4 + 3 = 7 → 834)

Example 2: 812 – 495
– (2 – 5: borrow from tens; 12 – 5 = 7; 0 – 9: borrow from hundreds; 9 – 9 = 0; 7 – 4 = 3 → 317)

Walk through each example slowly, narrating your thought process: "I see 456 + 378. I add 6 + 8 = 14, write 4, carry 1…" Encourage students to ask questions.

Small Group Ninja Stations

  1. Form groups of 3–4 at your table
  2. Take a deck of Addition and Subtraction Ninja Cards
  3. Use your dry-erase boards to solve each card
  4. Record solutions on the Ninja Group Recording Sheet
  5. Award 1 point for each correct answer, track on the Ninja Scoreboard Chart
  6. Rotate roles and keep collaborating

Explain station rules and roles. Emphasize teamwork: one draws a card, one solves, one records. Remind them to use place-value methods and check each other’s work.

Closing & Reflection

• Share one effective strategy your group used
• Highlight clear solutions and strong methods
• Turn in your Ninja Group Recording Sheet for review
• Set a goal: “I will…” for my next ninja challenge

Bring everyone back together. Invite each group to share one strategy they found helpful. Collect the group recording sheets for quick feedback and set goals for next time.

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Worksheet

Addition-Subtraction Ninja Cards

Cut along the dotted lines to create individual problem cards. Distribute one deck per group for game play. Students solve each problem on their dry-erase boards before recording their answers.

CardProblemCardProblem
1345 + 678 =11712 – 389 =
2129 + 456 =12805 – 417 =
3587 + 314 =13643 – 278 =
4764 + 225 =14930 – 568 =
5498 + 506 =15254 – 179 =
6213 + 789 =16841 – 362 =
7159 + 832 =17700 – 445 =
8576 + 399 =18992 – 607 =
9647 + 283 =19318 – 147 =
10805 + 197 =20560 – 299 =

(Teacher: Print this page and cut each card along the dotted line above.)

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Worksheet

Ninja Group Recording Sheet

Record each ninja card your group draws. For each problem, rewrite the problem, solve it, and describe the place-value or mental math strategy you used.

Card NumberProblemSolutionStrategy Used










































































































































































Teachers: Make enough copies so each group has one sheet for the station activity.
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Activity

Ninja Scoreboard Chart

Use this chart to track each group’s points during your 30-minute session. Award one □ for every correct answer. After all rounds, count the checked boxes and record the total in the last column.

Group NamePoints Earned (mark one □ per correct problem)Total Points
Group 1□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
Group 2□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
Group 3□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
Group 4□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
Group 5□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □

Teachers:

  • Make a large poster or chart paper version for each table group.
  • Have students fill in one box per point and then tally their total at the end.
  • Add or remove rows as needed to match the number of groups in your class.
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