Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand the basic principles of addition and subtraction, and will be able to solve simple math problems using these operations.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for writing problems
• A timer or stopwatch (optional for timed activities)
• A comfortable space to work
• Knowledge of basic addition and subtraction facts (1-10)

Activities

• Addition Bingo:

  Create a bingo card with sums of numbers (e.g., 3+2, 1+4). Call out the problems and have the student cover the correct answers on their card. The first to get a line wins!

• Subtraction Race:

  Set a timer for 5 minutes. The student must solve as many subtraction problems as they can from a list you provide. Encourage them to count how many they get right!

• Math Story Time:

  Ask the student to create a short story that includes addition and subtraction. For example, "I had 5 apples, and I gave 2 to my friend. How many do I have left?"

Talking Points

• "Addition means putting things together. If I have 2 apples and I get 3 more, how many do I have now?"
• "Subtraction is taking things away. If I have 5 cookies and I eat 2, how many cookies are left?"
• "We can use numbers to tell a story! What happens when we add or take away things in our stories?"
• "Practice makes perfect! The more you practice addition and subtraction, the easier it will become!"