Mini-Lesson Script - Day 1: Introducing Addition with Objects & Ten Frames

(Focus Standard: NC.K.OA.1)

(Teacher reviews Show, Tell, Solve! Slide Deck Slides 1-4)

Hook & Objective (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, Math Detectives! Today we are starting a super exciting mission! Look at our first slide (advance to Slide 1 - Welcome, Math Detectives!). We're going to explore how to put things together and take things away. It's like being a super smart problem-solver!"

"Our big mission this week is right here (advance to Slide 2 - Our Math Mission!): 'I can show addition and subtraction in different ways using objects, pictures, actions, and ten frames.' That means we'll be using our hands, our drawings, our bodies, and our special math tools to understand math. How cool is that?"

Introduce Addition with Objects (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's start with 'putting things together,' which is what we call addition! When we add, we bring groups together to find out how many we have in all, or 'altogether.'"

"Look at this problem (advance to Slide 3 - Putting Together!): 'What happens when we put things together? Like when you have 2 cookies and your friend gives you 1 more?'"

"Let's use our counters to show this. Everyone, get out 2 counters. Now, put them in a group. Good! Now, get 1 more counter and add it to your group. How many do you have altogether? Count them!"

Students count.

Teacher: "Yes! Three! So, 2 cookies plus 1 more cookie makes 3 cookies altogether! We just did addition with objects! You used your counters to show the addition."

Introduce Addition with Ten Frames (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, Math Detectives, let's learn about another super helpful tool called a Ten Frame! (Advance to Slide 4 - Ten Frame Time! (Adding)). A ten frame is a special mat with 10 boxes that helps us see numbers and add more easily."

"Look at the slide: 'If we have 3 red dots and 2 blue dots, how many dots altogether?' Let's use our ten frames and counters. Everyone, place 3 red counters on your ten frame, filling from left to right, top row first. (Model).

Students place counters.

Teacher: "Good! Now, add 2 blue counters to your ten frame. (Model). How many counters do you have altogether on your ten frame? Count them!"

Students count.

Teacher: "Fantastic! Five! 3 red plus 2 blue equals 5 altogether. The ten frame helps us organize our counting and see if we've filled a row or more!"

Guided Practice (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's try one more quickly. I have 4 green cubes. (Show 4 green cubes). Can everyone show me 4 cubes?"

Students show 4 cubes.

Teacher: "Now, I'm going to add 1 blue cube to my green cubes. (Add 1 blue cube to the 4 green ones). Can you add 1 more cube to your group?"

Students add 1 cube.

Teacher: "Great! Now, let's count how many cubes we have altogether, all mixed up in one big group. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! We have 5 cubes altogether! So, 4 plus 1 equals 5! You used your objects and we talked about how ten frames can help show putting groups together. Now it's your turn to practice on your own!"

Mini-Lesson Script - Day 2: Exploring Addition with Pictures & Ten Frames

(Focus Standard: NC.K.OA.1)

(Teacher reviews Show, Tell, Solve! Slide Deck Slides 5-8)

Recap & Hook (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome back, Math Detectives! Yesterday, we learned how to add by putting objects together and even using our ten frames. Who can remind me what 'altogether' means?"

Students respond, e.g., 'all of them,' 'how many in total.'

Teacher: "Excellent! Today, we're going to keep practicing addition, but with two new ways: pictures and our ten frames! (Advance to Slide 5 - Show it on a Ten Frame!)"

Explore Addition with Ten Frames (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's start by looking at our ten frame again. Remember how helpful it was yesterday? On our slide, it says: 'Let's put 4 green counters on our ten frame. Now, let's add 1 more yellow counter.'"

"Everyone, get out your ten frames and counters. First, place 4 green counters on your ten frame. (Model placing 4 counters). Good! Now, add 1 yellow counter. (Model adding 1 counter)."

Students place counters.

Teacher: "How many counters do we have in all on our ten frame? Count them!"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Yes! Five! The ten frame helps us quickly see that 4 plus 1 makes 5!"

Introduce Addition with Pictures (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's move from our objects and ten frames to another super cool way to show addition: drawing pictures! (Advance to Slide 6 - Drawing to Add!)"

"Look at our slide. It says: 'If I have 3 apples and then draw 2 more... How many apples in all?' Instead of using real apples or counters, we can draw them!"

"Watch me. I'll draw 3 circles for the first group of apples. 1, 2, 3. Now, I'll draw 2 more circles for the second group. 1, 2. Now, let's count all the circles together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! So, 3 plus 2 equals 5! Drawing pictures helps us see the addition."

Guided Practice (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's try one together! (Advance to Slide 7 - Let's Draw It Out!) 'Imagine you see 2 birds on a branch. Then 2 more birds fly to join them. How can we show that with a drawing? Or with a ten frame?'"

"Get out your whiteboards and markers. First, let's draw 2 simple circles or 'bird bodies' for the first group of birds. (Model drawing 2 circles). Now, let's draw 2 more simple circles next to them for the birds that fly over. (Model drawing 2 more circles)."

Students draw.

Teacher: "Great job! Now, count all your bird pictures. How many birds are there altogether?"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Fantastic! 2 birds plus 2 more birds makes 4 birds altogether! You are becoming amazing artists and mathematicians!"

Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 8 - Your Turn to Draw or Frame!) 'You have 4 blue crayons and 1 green crayon. How would you draw this to find out how many crayons you have altogether? Or, how would you show this on a ten frame?' Think about how you would draw it or put it on your ten frame. You can draw simple sticks or circles for the crayons. When you draw or use a ten frame, you are showing the addition!"

Mini-Lesson Script - Day 3: Deepening Addition: Number Bonds & Ten Frames

(Focus Standard: NC.K.OA.1, CC.4, CC.7)

(Teacher reviews Show, Tell, Solve! Slide Deck Slides 9-12)

Recap & Hook (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Hello, Math Detectives! So far this week, we've been practicing addition by putting objects and pictures together, and using our ten frames. Who can give me an example of an addition problem?"

Students respond with simple addition problems.

Teacher: "Fantastic! Today, we're going to learn another super smart way to show how numbers are put together, it's called a Number Bond! (Advance to Slide 9 - Number Bonds to Add!)"

Introduce Number Bonds (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Look at our slide: 'Numbers can be put together in special ways called Number Bonds! Think of two smaller numbers, the 'parts,' that join to make a bigger number, the 'whole'!' Look at your number bond mat. It has two small circles and one big circle. The small circles are for the 'parts,' and the big circle is for the 'whole' or 'altogether' amount."

"Let's use our counters to show this. Everyone, get out 2 red counters (part 1) and 3 blue counters (part 2). Put them in the two small circles on your number bond mat. Good! Now, push all your counters together into the big circle. Count how many you have altogether!"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Yes! Five! So, 2 and 3 are the 'parts' that make 5, the 'whole'. We can write this as 2 + 3 = 5! You just made a number bond!"

Introduce Number Bonds with Ten Frames (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's see how our ten frames can help us with number bonds too! (Advance to Slide 10 - Ten Frame Number Bonds). Our slide says: 'If we have 4 red counters (part) and 3 blue counters (part), how many counters do we have altogether (whole)?'"

"Everyone, place 4 red counters on your ten frame, filling from left to right. (Model). Good! Now, add 3 blue counters to your ten frame. (Model). How many do you have altogether? What are your two 'parts'? What is your 'whole'?"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Excellent! Seven altogether! So, our parts are 4 and 3, and our whole is 7! The ten frame helps us organize our parts to see the whole easily."

Guided Practice: Making 10 (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's use a super important math trick: Making 10! (Advance to Slide 11 - Making a Happy 10!). Making 10 helps us add faster! The slide asks: 'If I have 6 counters, how many more do I need to make 10 on my ten frame?'"

"Everyone, put 6 counters on your ten frame. (Model). Now, look at your ten frame. How many empty boxes are left? Those empty boxes tell us how many more we need to make 10!"

Students count empty boxes and respond.

Teacher: "Yes! Four! So, 6 and 4 are parts that make a whole of 10! You just made a number bond for 10! You're becoming number bond experts!"

Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 12 - Your Turn: Create a Number Bond!) 'Think of two numbers that you can add together to make 7. Can you show this with a number bond drawing? Or on your ten frame, show the two parts that make 7!' You can draw circles for your number bond or use your ten frame and counters. This is your chance to show addition using number bonds!"

Mini-Lesson Script - Day 4: Addition Story Problems & Acting Out

(Focus Standard: NC.K.OA.1, CC.4)

(Teacher reviews Show, Tell, Solve! Slide Deck Slides 13-16)

Recap & Hook (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome back, Math Detectives! This week we've been adding with objects, pictures, and even those super smart number bonds and ten frames. Who can remind me what 'altogether' or 'in all' means in an addition problem?"

Students respond, e.g., 'the total,' 'how many when you put them together.'

Teacher: "Excellent! Today, we're going to put our addition skills to work by solving Addition Stories! (Advance to Slide 13 - Addition Stories!)"

Introduce Addition Story Problems (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Look at our slide: 'If there were 3 little pigs and 2 more pigs joined them, how many pigs are there altogether?' In math, we have stories with numbers in them! Our job is to find the numbers, put them together, and solve the story!"

"Let's think about this pig story. What are our 'parts' in this story? (Wait for responses: 3 pigs and 2 pigs). Yes! And what is our 'whole' that we need to find? (Wait for responses: how many altogether). Exactly!"

"We can use our objects, pictures, or ten frames to solve this story. Let's try it with counters. Everyone, get out 3 counters. Now, add 2 more counters. Count them all. How many pigs altogether?"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Five! Great job! 3 pigs plus 2 pigs equals 5 pigs altogether."

Guided Practice: Acting Out Addition Stories (4 minutes)

Teacher: "Sometimes, we can even act out our addition stories! (Advance to Slide 14 - Let's Act It Out!). Our slide says: 'Imagine you have 4 sparkly stickers. Your teacher gives you 1 more sticker! How many stickers do you have now?'"

"Let's act this one out with our fingers! Everyone, show me 4 fingers. Those are your 4 stickers. Now, your teacher gives you 1 more. Show me one more finger joining your group! How many fingers do you have altogether now?"

Students show and count fingers, responding '5!'

Teacher: "Amazing! You just acted out 4 plus 1 equals 5! Acting out is a super fun way to show addition!"

Guided Practice: Drawing Addition Stories (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's try drawing an addition story! (Advance to Slide 15 - Drawing Story Problems). 'You see 2 happy dogs playing in the park. Then 3 more dogs come to play! How many dogs are playing in all?'"

"Get out your whiteboards and markers. First, let's draw 2 simple circles for the first group of dogs. (Model drawing 2 circles). Now, draw 3 more simple circles next to them for the dogs that come to play. (Model drawing 3 more circles)."

Students draw.

Teacher: "Great job! Now, count all your dog pictures. How many dogs are there in all?"

Students count and respond.

Teacher: "Fantastic! 2 dogs plus 3 more dogs makes 5 dogs in all! You are becoming amazing artists and mathematicians, solving addition stories!"

Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 16 - Your Own Addition Story!) 'You have 5 red crayons and 2 blue crayons. Can you tell an addition story about these crayons? How many crayons do you have altogether? Show it with pictures or a ten frame!' Think about how you would draw it or put it on your ten frame to show the addition story!"

Mini-Lesson Script - Day 5: Review All Addition Strategies

(Focus Standard: NC.K.OA.1, CC.1, CC.2, CC.4, CC.7)

(Teacher reviews Show, Tell, Solve! Slide Deck Slides 17-19)

Recap & Hook (2 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, superstar Math Detectives! This week, you've learned so many amazing ways to show addition. You can use objects, pictures, actions, ten frames, and even number bonds! Today is our chance to put all those skills together!"

"(Advance to Slide 17 - Your Choice, Math Whiz!) We've learned to add (put together) using objects, pictures, actions, ten frames, and number bonds. Now you get to be the boss! You choose which way helps you solve best!"

Guided Practice - Mixed Addition Problems (8 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's look at some addition problems and decide which strategy we want to use to solve them!"

"(Advance to Slide 18 - Solve This Addition!) Listen carefully: 'There are 4 red birds and 3 blue birds sitting on a wire. How many birds are there altogether?'"

"What are some ways we could solve this problem? Turn and tell your partner what strategy you might use – objects, pictures, acting it out, ten frames, or number bonds?"

Pause for student discussion. Circulate and listen for strategy ideas.

Teacher: "Great ideas! I heard some of you say you might draw the birds, or use your counters on a ten frame, or even think of it as a number bond! Now, choose your favorite way and solve it!"

Give students 1-2 minutes to work. Circulate and observe. Call on 2-3 students to share their strategy and answer.

Teacher: "Wow, I saw so many different ways to show and solve that! What was the answer? 4 plus 3 equals...? (Wait for response). Yes! Seven! We have 7 birds altogether! You chose your own way to show and solve!"

"Let's try one more! (Advance to Slide 19 - Another Addition Challenge!) Listen to this one: 'You have 6 delicious cookies. Your friend gives you 2 more! How many cookies do you have in all?'"

"Which way will you use to show and solve this problem? Think about it, then tell your partner! What are the parts? What is the whole?"

Pause for student thought and peer discussion.

Teacher: "Who can tell me their strategy and answer for this problem?"

Call on 2-3 students to share their strategy and answer.

Teacher: "Incredible work, everyone! So, if you had 6 cookies and got 2 more, how many were in all? 6 plus 2 equals...? (Wait for response). Amazing! 8 cookies in all! You are true Math Detectives who can show and solve addition in so many different ways! Keep up the great work in centers!"

Daily Math Routine Guide (5 minutes)

This routine is designed to be quick and engaging, reinforcing spiraled standards CC.1, CC.2, CC.5, CC.6, and CC.7. Choose 2-3 activities each day to keep it fresh and adjust based on student needs.

Warm-Up Options:

1. Count & Clap (CC.1, CC.2)

• Teacher: "Let's count forward to 10! Ready? 1, 2, 3..." (Students count and clap for each number).
• Teacher: "Now let's count backward from 5! Ready? 5, 4, 3..." (Students count backward and tap their knees for each number).
• Vary the counting range (e.g., to 20, from 10, start at 3 and count to 7).

2. Number ID Flash (CC.2)

• Teacher: "Quick! What number do you see?" (Flash number cards 0-10 quickly).
• Have students call out the number or show it with their fingers.
• Mix up the order and repeat.

3. What Comes Next? (CC.2)

• Teacher: "I'll say a number, and you tell me the number that comes next! If I say 4, you say...?"
• Vary with "What comes before?" (e.g., "If I say 7, you say...?")

4. More or Less (CC.5, CC.6)

• Teacher: "Show me 3 fingers. Now show me one more! How many?"
• Teacher: "Show me 5 fingers. Now take away one! How many?"
• Use objects: "I have 4 cubes. If I add 1 more, do I have more or less? How many?"

5. Pattern Power (CC.7)

• Teacher: "I'm going to make a pattern with claps and stomps: Clap, Stomp, Clap, Stomp... What comes next?"
• Use colored blocks or drawn shapes on the board to create simple ABAB or AABB patterns. "What piece comes next in our pattern?"

6. Quick Draw (CC.1)

• Teacher: "Draw 5 dots very quickly on your whiteboard!"
• "Draw 2 squares!"
• Focus on quick representation of numbers.

Independent Practice: Day 1 - Adding with Objects & Ten Frames

Name: _________________________

Directions: Use your counters, draw pictures, or use your ten frame to show how many altogether. Then, write the number.

1. You have 2 red cubes. You add 1 blue cube.

How many cubes altogether?

2. You have 3 buttons. You add 2 more buttons.

How many buttons altogether?

3. Use your ten frame! Put 4 counters on your ten frame. Add 1 more counter.

How many counters altogether?

4. Draw your own addition problem! Start with 3 items, then add 2 more. How many altogether?

Independent Practice: Day 2 - Adding with Pictures & Ten Frames

Name: _________________________

Directions: Draw pictures or color in the ten frame to show how many altogether. Then, write the number.

1. You see 3 yellow flowers. You see 2 pink flowers.

Draw all the flowers. How many flowers altogether?

2. You have 4 yummy grapes. You get 3 more grapes.

Draw all the grapes. How many grapes altogether?

3. Use your ten frame! Color in 2 boxes red. Color in 3 more boxes blue.

How many boxes altogether?

4. Draw your own addition problem! Start with 4 items, then add 1 more. How many altogether?

Independent Practice: Day 3 - Number Bonds & Ten Frames for Addition

Name: _________________________

Directions: Draw number bonds and use your ten frame to show how the parts make the whole. Then, write the number sentence.

1. The parts are 3 and 2. What is the whole?

Draw your number bond:

(Circle for Part 1) + (Circle for Part 2) = (Circle for Whole)

Show on your ten frame:

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

2. The whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part?

Draw your number bond:

(Circle for Part 1) + (Circle for Part 2) = (Circle for Whole)

Show on your ten frame:

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

3. You have 6 counters on your ten frame. How many more do you need to make 10?

Show on your ten frame:

Number Sentence: 6 + _______ = 10

4. Create your own number bond! Draw two parts that make a whole (sum up to 10). Then write the number sentence.

Independent Practice: Day 4 - Addition Story Problems

Name: _________________________

Directions: Read each story. Use drawings or your ten frame to show how you solve it. Then, write the number sentence.

1. You see 2 squirrels eating nuts. 3 more squirrels come to join them.

Draw all the squirrels. How many squirrels altogether?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

2. You have 4 shiny cars. Your friend gives you 1 more shiny car.

Draw all the cars. How many cars in all?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

3. Use your ten frame to solve this story:

There are 5 red flowers in a vase. You add 2 yellow flowers to the vase.

How many flowers altogether?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

4. Create your own addition story problem! Draw it and write the number sentence.

Independent Practice: Day 5 - Mixed Addition Strategies

Name: _________________________

Directions: Read each problem. Choose your favorite way to show and solve (use objects, draw pictures, use a ten frame, or draw a number bond). Then, write the number sentence.

1. You have 3 red flowers. You get 2 yellow flowers. How many flowers altogether?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

2. There are 6 cookies. Your friend gives you 3 more cookies. How many cookies in all?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

3. You see 4 squirrels. 1 more squirrel comes to play. How many squirrels in all?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

4. There are 7 apples in a basket. You put 2 more apples in the basket. How many apples altogether?

Number Sentence: _______ + _______ = _______

5. Create your own addition problem! Show how you solve it and write the number sentence.

Shelf Center Activity Cards

Directions: Pick a card. Use the manipulatives (counters, cubes, bears, ten frames, number bond mats, etc.) to show and solve the problem. Write your answer on your whiteboard or a piece of paper.

Addition Cards - Day 1 & 2 Focus (Objects, Pictures, Ten Frames)

Card 1

• Put together: 2 red cubes + 3 blue cubes.
• How many altogether?
  
  
  
  

Card 2

• Use your ten frame. Put 4 counters on it. Add 1 more counter.
• How many in all?
  
  
  
  

Card 3

• Put together: 3 small bears + 3 big bears.
• What is the total?
  
  
  
  

Card 4

• Draw 5 blocks. Draw 2 more blocks. How many altogether?
  
  
  
  

Card 5

• Draw 2 squares. Draw 2 circles. How many shapes altogether?
  
  
  
  

Card 6

• Use your ten frame. Put 2 counters on it. Add 3 more counters.
• How many in all?
  
  
  
  

Addition Cards - Day 3 Focus (Number Bonds & Ten Frames)

Card 7

• The parts are 4 and 1. What is the whole?
• Show with a number bond or ten frame.
  
  
  
  

Card 8

• The whole is 6. One part is 2. What is the other part?
• Show with a number bond or ten frame.
  
  
  
  

Card 9

• Make 10! You have 7 counters. How many more do you need?
• Show on your ten frame.
  
  
  
  

Card 10

• Show a number bond for 3 + 4.
• What is the whole?
  
  
  
  

Addition Cards - Day 4 Focus (Story Problems & Actions)

Card 11

• 2 frogs are on a lily pad. 3 more frogs jump on. How many frogs in all?
• Show with objects, pictures, or act it out!
  
  
  
  

Card 12

• You have 5 toy cars. Your friend gives you 2 more cars. How many cars do you have altogether?
• Show with objects, pictures, or act it out!
  
  
  
  

Card 13

• Draw a picture for this story: There are 4 red balloons. 3 yellow balloons join them. How many balloons in all?
  
  
  
  

Card 14

• Tell your own addition story about 3 + 3. Solve it using your ten frame.
  
  
  
  

Addition Cards - Day 5 Focus (Mixed Practice)

Card 15

• You have 5 green apples and 4 red apples. How many apples altogether?
• Use any strategy!
  
  
  
  

Card 16

• Show 2 + 6 on your ten frame. What is the sum?
  
  
  
  

Card 17

• Draw a number bond for 8. What are two parts that make 8?
  
  
  
  

Card 18

• Solve: 1 + 9 = ?
• Show your work.
  
  
  
  

Computer Center Game Link List

Directions: Click on the links below to play fun math games that help you practice adding! Remember to listen to the game instructions.

Suggested Online Games:

• Addition Games (For all days):
  • Math Playground: "Counting and Addition Games for Kids"
  • ABCya!: "Addition Games for Kindergarten"
  • Cool Math 4 Kids: "Simple Addition Practice"
  • SplashLearn: "Kindergarten Addition Games"
  • Starfall: "Addition Practice"
  • Education.com: "Kindergarten Addition Games"
  • Hooda Math: "Addition Facts"

Cool Down Tickets

Name: _________________________

Directions: Show your answer on this ticket before you go! You can use objects (if you have them), draw pictures, or use your ten frame. Or just write the numbers!

Day 1: Addition with Objects & Ten Frames

Draw, write, or use a ten frame to show: 1 bear + 2 bears = ?

Day 2: Addition with Pictures & Ten Frames

Draw, write, or use a ten frame to show: 3 flowers + 1 flower = ?

Day 3: Number Bonds & Ten Frames for Addition

Draw a number bond or use a ten frame to show: Parts are 4 and 2. What is the whole?

Day 4: Addition Story Problem

Draw, write, or use a ten frame to show: 2 fish swimming, 3 more join. How many fish in all?

Day 5: Mixed Addition Practice

Draw, write, or use a ten frame to show one addition problem (e.g., 5 + 3 = ?).