Lesson Plan

Numbers to the Rescue!

Students will accurately count to 100 by 1s and 10s and solve one and two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 100.

These skills are foundational for everyday math, helping students develop numerical fluency and problem-solving strategies essential for more complex mathematical concepts.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

5 sessions, 30 minutes each

Approach

Through interactive activities, explicit instruction, and guided practice.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Markers/Pens, Counting Chart (1-100), Base Ten Blocks, Manipulatives (e.g., counters, unifix cubes), Individual Whiteboards/Paper, Number Line to 100, Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck, Word Problem Workout Worksheet, Discussion Questions, Count and Solve Activity, Number Stories Quiz, Math Mission Test, and Answer Key

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes per session

Review the Numbers to the Rescue! Lesson Plan, Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck, Script, Word Problem Workout Worksheet, Discussion Questions, Count and Solve Activity, Number Stories Quiz, Math Mission Test, and Answer Key for each session. Gather all necessary physical materials like a whiteboard, markers, counting chart, base ten blocks, and manipulatives. Prepare the Number Line to 100 for display.

Step 1

Session 1: Counting by 1s and 10s Warm-Up

30 minutes

Launch (5 minutes): Begin with a quick Warm Up activity. Review counting by 1s and 10s to 100 using a Counting Chart (1-100). Guide students using the Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck and the Script.
Explore (15 minutes): Use base ten blocks to visually represent counting by 10s. Have students count aloud with you, touching the blocks as they count. Practice counting by 1s from various starting points (e.g., 23 to 35).
Summarize (10 minutes): Lead a brief Discussion on why counting by 1s and 10s is important. Introduce the idea of solving 'number stories' (word problems). Assign a short Cool Down activity where students count to a specific number by 1s or 10s.

Step 2

Session 2: Unpacking One-Step Word Problems

30 minutes

Launch (5 minutes): Start with a quick review of counting by 1s and 10s. Present a simple one-step addition word problem and ask students how they might solve it, using the Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck and Script.
Explore (20 minutes): Introduce the CUBES strategy (Circle numbers, Underline question, Box keywords, Evaluate steps, Solve and check) for solving word problems. Work through several one-step addition and subtraction word problems together as a group using manipulatives and the Word Problem Workout Worksheet.
Summarize (5 minutes): Have students share their strategies for solving a given word problem. Collect the completed sections of the Word Problem Workout Worksheet.

Step 3

Session 3: Tackling Two-Step Word Problems

30 minutes

Launch (5 minutes): Review the CUBES strategy. Present a two-step word problem and ask students to identify the two separate questions within it, using the Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck and Script.
Explore (20 minutes): Model how to break down two-step problems into two smaller, one-step problems. Use the Count and Solve Activity where students work collaboratively on two-step problems, using counting skills and manipulatives. Emphasize identifying key information for each step.
Summarize (5 minutes): Students share their approaches to one of the two-step problems from the Count and Solve Activity.

Step 4

Session 4: Practice and Problem Solving

30 minutes

Launch (5 minutes): Review both one-step and two-step word problems using examples from the Word Problem Workout Worksheet. Reiterate the importance of reading carefully.
Explore (20 minutes): Students will engage in an independent or paired practice session using more problems from the Word Problem Workout Worksheet or the Count and Solve Activity. Circulate to provide individualized support and clarification. Focus on common errors and strategies for overcoming them.
Summarize (5 minutes): Quick check-in: Ask students to explain one strategy they find helpful for solving word problems. Collect practice work for review.

Step 5

Session 5: Assessment and Review

30 minutes

Launch (5 minutes): Briefly review counting by 1s and 10s and the CUBES strategy for word problems.
Explore (20 minutes): Administer the Number Stories Quiz followed by the Math Mission Test. Remind students to show their work clearly. Provide a quiet and focused environment.
Summarize (5 minutes): Collect all assessments. Reassure students and provide positive reinforcement for their hard work. Briefly discuss what they found challenging or easy. Review answers using the Answer Key as a whole group or individually.

Slide Deck

Numbers to the Rescue!

Counting & Word Problems!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's exciting title. Emphasize that numbers are like superheroes helping us solve problems!

Let's Count by 1s!

We can count one by one, like climbing stairs.

Start at 1, count to 20.
Start at 35, count to 50.
Start at 88, count to 100.

Use the 1-100 chart. Point to numbers as students count aloud by 1s. Start from various points, not just 1.

Jumping by 10s!

Counting by 10s is like taking giant steps!

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
What numbers come next when we count by 10s?
Why is counting by 10s helpful?

Introduce counting by 10s. Use a hundreds chart or base ten blocks to show the pattern. Practice together.

Number Stories!

Today, we become math detectives!

We will solve exciting number stories using addition and subtraction.

Introduce word problems as 'number stories.' Explain that we are detectives solving a mystery with numbers.

Solve Like a Detective: CUBES

C - Circle the numbers
U - Underline the question
B - Box the keywords
E - Evaluate (what steps to take?)
S - Solve and check

Introduce the CUBES strategy. Go through each letter and explain what it means. This slide will be revisited.

One-Step Problem Example: Addition

Sarah had 5 apples. Her friend gave her 3 more apples. How many apples does Sarah have now?

Present a simple one-step addition problem. Guide students to apply CUBES. Use manipulatives if helpful.

One-Step Problem Example: Subtraction

Tom had 10 cookies. He ate 4 of them. How many cookies are left?

Present a simple one-step subtraction problem. Guide students to apply CUBES. Use manipulatives if helpful.

Two-Step Problems: Two Adventures in One!

Sometimes, our number stories have two parts.

We solve one part first, then use that answer to solve the second part!

Explain that two-step problems are just two one-step problems. Emphasize finding the 'hidden' question first.

Two-Step Problem Example!

Maria had 6 red balloons and 4 blue balloons. She gave 3 balloons to her brother. How many balloons does Maria have now?

Present a two-step problem. Guide students through breaking it down into two separate questions and solving each step.

You are a Math Master!

Keep practicing your counting!

Keep using CUBES to solve those number stories!

You've got this!

Reinforce the strategies learned. Encourage students to feel confident in their problem-solving abilities.

Script

Teacher's Guiding Script

Session 1: Counting by 1s and 10s Warm-Up

(5 minutes) Launch: Warm Up and Review

Teacher: "Good morning, math detectives! Let's get our brains warmed up today with a quick counting challenge. We're going to use our Counting Chart (1-100)."

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "Let's start by counting by 1s, all the way to 20. Ready? Go!" (Guide students, pointing to numbers on the chart.)

Teacher: "Great job! Now, let's try starting at 35 and counting up to 50 by 1s." (Repeat guidance.)

Teacher: "Excellent! You are all expert 1s counters! Now, let's switch gears. We're going to take giant steps and count by 10s! Who remembers how to count by 10s?"

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "Let's count together to 100 by 10s. Ready? 10, 20, 30... (continue to 100)."

Teacher: "Fantastic! Why do you think counting by 10s might be useful? Turn and tell your shoulder partner quickly."

(15 minutes) Explore: Hands-On Counting

Teacher: "Today, we're going to explore counting by 10s using our base ten blocks. These long sticks are like groups of ten. Let's count them together as we put them down." (Place one rod, count 10. Place another, count 20, etc., to 100.)

Teacher: "See how each time we add a stick, we jump by ten? Now, I want each of you to try. I'll give you some blocks, and you can practice counting by tens, then let's try counting by 1s from a specific number."

(Provide base ten blocks. Guide individual students. Then, give individual whiteboards/paper.)

Teacher: "Alright, everyone, on your whiteboard or paper, I want you to start at the number 23 and count by 1s until you reach 35. When you're done, show me your board!"

(Circulate, providing support and correction as needed.)

(10 minutes) Summarize: Introduction to Word Problems & Cool Down

Teacher: "You've done an amazing job counting today! We counted by 1s and 10s. Why do you think it's important to know how to count in different ways?"

(Lead a brief Discussion Questions on counting importance. Then transition.)

Teacher: "Today we also started thinking about 'number stories' – problems that tell us a story with numbers. In our next sessions, we'll become expert detectives solving these number stories!"

(Assign Counting Cool Down activity.)

Teacher: "For our cool-down, please count to 78 by 1s, starting from 65. When you're finished, please write down the numbers you counted."

Session 2: Unpacking One-Step Word Problems

(5 minutes) Launch: Review & Problem Introduction

Teacher: "Welcome back, math detectives! Let's quickly review our counting skills. I'll say a number, and you tell me what comes next when counting by 10s: 40... (expect 50), 70... (expect 80)." (Repeat for 1s if needed.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Now, let's look at our first number story for today. It's a mystery we need to solve!"

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Teacher: "Sarah had 5 apples. Her friend gave her 3 more apples. How many apples does Sarah have now? What kind of problem do you think this is? How might we solve it?"

(20 minutes) Explore: Introducing CUBES & One-Step Problems

Teacher: "To help us solve these number stories, we have a special strategy called CUBES!"

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 5. Go through each step.)

Teacher: "Let's try CUBES with Sarah's apple problem.

Circle the numbers: What numbers do we see in the problem? (5, 3)
Underline the question: What is the problem asking us to find? (How many apples does Sarah have now?)
Box the keywords: Are there any words that tell us if we add or subtract? (gave her more - addition)
Evaluate: What steps do we take? (Add 5 and 3)
Solve and check: 5 + 3 = 8. Does 8 make sense? Yes, because she got more apples.

"Sarah has 8 apples now!"

Teacher: "Now let's work on some problems on our Word Problem Workout Worksheet. We'll use our CUBES strategy for each one. We can use manipulatives to help us visualize the problem." (Guide students through 2-3 one-step problems, both addition and subtraction, from the worksheet. Encourage use of manipulatives and CUBES.)

(5 minutes) Summarize: Sharing Strategies

Teacher: "You're becoming fantastic problem solvers! Who would like to share how they solved problem number 2 on our worksheet? What CUBES step helped you the most?"

(Collect completed sections of the Word Problem Workout Worksheet.)

Session 3: Tackling Two-Step Word Problems

(5 minutes) Launch: Review & Two-Step Introduction

Teacher: "Hello, super solvers! Let's quickly remember our CUBES strategy. What does the 'C' stand for? How about the 'U'?" (Quick review.)

Teacher: "Today, our number stories are getting a little more adventurous! Sometimes, they have two parts, like two mini-mysteries in one!"

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 8)

Teacher: "Let's look at this problem: Maria had 6 red balloons and 4 blue balloons. She gave 3 balloons to her brother. How many balloons does Maria have now? What are the two questions hidden in this story?"

(20 minutes) Explore: Modeling Two-Step Problems with Activity

Teacher: "That's right! First, we need to find out how many balloons Maria had in total. Then, we figure out how many she has left after giving some away. We solve it step by step!"

(Refer to Counting by 1s and 10s Slide Deck - Slide 9. Model solving the problem on the board, explicitly showing Step 1 and Step 2. Use manipulatives.)

Teacher: "Now, it's your turn to become two-step problem experts! We're going to work on the Count and Solve Activity. You'll work together to solve these problems, remembering to break them down into two smaller steps. Don't forget your CUBES strategy!"

(Distribute Count and Solve Activity. Circulate, guiding students through identifying the two steps, solving each, and showing their work. Encourage discussion among students.)

(5 minutes) Summarize: Sharing Approaches

Teacher: "Excellent teamwork on those tricky two-step problems! Who can share how their group approached one of the problems from the Count and Solve Activity? What was the first step you solved? What was the second?"

Session 4: Practice and Problem Solving

(5 minutes) Launch: Review and Read Carefully

Teacher: "Good morning, diligent detectives! Today is all about practicing our amazing problem-solving skills for both one-step and two-step number stories. What's one thing we must do before we start solving any problem? (Expected: Read carefully, understand the question.)"

(Briefly review 1-2 examples of one-step and two-step problems from the Word Problem Workout Worksheet or Count and Solve Activity if time allows.)

(20 minutes) Explore: Independent/Paired Practice

Teacher: "Today, you'll have a chance to practice independently or with a partner. I have more problems from our Word Problem Workout Worksheet and our Count and Solve Activity. Choose some problems and work through them. Remember to use CUBES! I'll be walking around to help anyone who gets stuck or has questions."

(Distribute additional practice problems. Circulate, providing targeted support, asking probing questions, and correcting misconceptions. Pay attention to common errors, such as not identifying both steps in a two-step problem or misinterpreting keywords.)

(5 minutes) Summarize: Helpful Strategies

Teacher: "You all worked so hard today! What is one strategy you found most helpful when solving these word problems today? Was it CUBES, using manipulatives, or something else?"

(Collect all practice work. Offer positive feedback.)

Session 5: Assessment and Review

(5 minutes) Launch: Quick Review

Teacher: "Welcome to our final session, amazing mathematicians! Today is a chance to show off everything you've learned about counting and solving number stories. Before we start, let's do one quick count: start at 5 and count to 55 by 10s. Go!"

Teacher: "And who can remind me what the 'B' in CUBES stands for? (Expected: Box keywords.) Excellent!"

(20 minutes) Explore: Quiz and Test

Teacher: "Alright, everyone, you've worked incredibly hard, and now it's time for your Number Stories Quiz and then your Math Mission Test. Remember to read each problem carefully, use your strategies, and show your work. Do your best!"

(Distribute the Number Stories Quiz first. After students complete it, collect and distribute the Math Mission Test. Ensure a quiet testing environment. Provide accommodations if necessary. Circulate to ensure students are working independently and understand the instructions, but do not provide help on answers.)

(5 minutes) Summarize: Wrap-Up and Encouragement

Teacher: "Please hand in your tests when you are finished. You all did a fantastic job showing what you know today. I'm so proud of your effort!"

(Collect all assessments.)

Teacher: "What was one thing you found easy or challenging about the quiz or test today?"

(Briefly discuss and provide positive reinforcement. Inform students that their work will be reviewed. If time permits, go over some answers using the Answer Key to clarify common misunderstandings.)

Teacher: "You are all now 'Numbers to the Rescue!' experts! Keep practicing your counting and problem-solving!"

Worksheet

Word Problem Workout

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Use the CUBES strategy to help you solve! Show your work in the space provided. You can use pictures, numbers, or words to explain your thinking.