Math: Introduction to Addition
Assumed level: Early elementary, approximately ages 5–7.
Materials
- 10 small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or coins
- Paper and pencil
- Two small bowls or circles drawn on paper
Goal
The learner will understand that addition means putting groups together and will solve addition problems with sums up to 10.
Lesson: 35 minutes
1. Hook: Put Groups Together — 5 minutes
Place 3 blocks in one bowl and 2 blocks in the other bowl. Ask:
“How many blocks are here altogether if we put both groups together?”
Let the learner move all the blocks into one group and count them. Say, “When we put groups together, we add. Addition tells us how many there are altogether.”
2. Show It: Objects, Drawing, and Number Sentence — 8 minutes
Use the blocks to show:
2 + 3 = 5
Explain:
- 2 is the first group.
- 3 is the group we add.
- 5 is the total, or how many there are altogether.
- The symbol + means “add” or “put together.”
- The symbol = means “is the same as.”
Draw two circles. Draw 2 dots in the first circle and 3 dots in the second. Count all the dots together and write 2 + 3 = 5.
Repeat with 4 + 1 = 5, using blocks first and then a drawing.
3. Do It Together — 10 minutes
Build each problem with objects. Have the learner count all the objects, say the total aloud, and complete the number sentence.
- 1 + 2 = ___
- 2 + 2 = ___
- 3 + 1 = ___
- 4 + 2 = ___
- 5 + 3 = ___
Ask after each problem:
- “How many are in the first group?”
- “How many are in the second group?”
- “How many are there altogether?”
4. Learner Practices Alone — 8 minutes
Ask the learner to solve these problems independently. They may use the blocks or draw pictures.
- 1 + 1 = ___
- 2 + 4 = ___
- 3 + 3 = ___
- 5 + 1 = ___
- 4 + 4 = ___
Then give this word problem:
“You have 3 crayons. I give you 2 more crayons. How many crayons do you have altogether?”
Encourage the learner to show the problem with objects or a drawing and write the matching number sentence.
5. Brief Recap and Quick Check — 4 minutes
Ask the learner:
- “What does the plus sign mean?”
- “What does the answer in an addition problem tell us?”
- “Solve 2 + 5.”
For the final check, say: “Show me 3 + 2 with your blocks, draw it, and write the number sentence.”
Expected answer: 5; the number sentence is 3 + 2 = 5.
Make It Easier
Use only addition problems with totals up to 5, and let the learner touch and count every object.
Make It Harder
Ask the learner to solve addition problems up to 20, such as 7 + 5, by counting on from the larger number rather than counting every object.