Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basic concepts of addition and subtraction through engaging activities, improving their problem-solving skills and mathematical confidence.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for writing problems
• Colored markers or crayons for drawing
• A timer (can be a phone or a clock)
• A comfortable space to work in

Before the lesson, ensure that the student is familiar with the numbers 1-20, as this will be the range used in the activities.

Activities

• Addition Art:

  Have the student draw a picture using different colored markers. Each color represents a number (e.g., red = 1, blue = 2). As they draw, they will add up the total number of each color used, reinforcing addition skills through creativity.

• Subtraction Race:

  Set a timer for 5 minutes and challenge the student to solve as many subtraction problems as possible. Use simple problems (e.g., 10 - 3) and encourage them to write down the answers quickly. This will help improve their speed and confidence in subtraction.

• Math Story Time:

  Ask the student to create a short story involving characters that need to solve addition or subtraction problems to reach a goal. They can illustrate their story and present it, which combines literacy and math skills.

Talking Points

• "Addition is like putting things together. If you have 3 apples and you get 2 more, how many do you have now?"
• "Subtraction is like taking things away. If you have 5 candies and you give away 2, how many are left?"
• "We can use our drawings to help us understand math better. Can you show me how many colors you used and what they add up to?"
• "Speed is important, but understanding is more important. If you don't get it right away, that's okay! Let's keep practicing together."
• "Stories can help us remember math problems. Can you think of a fun story that includes adding or taking away?"