Lesson plan
Objectives
- Students will correctly solve addition equations with sums up to 20 using double ten-frames.
- Students will apply the 'Make a Ten' strategy to simplify addition problems (e.g., 8+5 becomes 10+3).
- Students will demonstrate the 'Counting On' method by starting with the larger number and adding the smaller part.
- Students will represent addition word problems using drawings and numerical equations.
Materials
- Magnetic double-ten frames for the whiteboard
- Individual student ten-frames (2 per student)
- Red and yellow two-sided counters (20 per student)
- Laminated dry-erase number lines (0-20)
- Set of 'Part-Part-Whole' flashcards
- Large foam dice for the opening game
Warm-up
Begin by playing 'Flash and Count' with a single ten-frame. Show a ten-frame with 5 to 9 dots for only 2 seconds and have students hold up fingers to show how many more dots are needed to make 10. Repeat this several times to build fluency with combinations of 10. Finally, show a full ten-frame and a second frame with 3 dots to introduce the concept of '10 and some more' equaling numbers like 13.
Direct instruction
- Introduce the 'Make a Ten' strategy: If we have 9 + 4, we take 1 from the 4 to turn the 9 into a 10. Now we have 10 + 3, which is 13.
- Demonstrate on the magnetic ten-frame: Place 8 red counters in the top frame and 5 yellow counters in the bottom frame.
- Physically move 2 yellow counters up to fill the top ten-frame. Ask students, 'Is the top frame full now?' (Yes, that is 10).
- Count the remaining yellow counters in the bottom frame (3). Explain that 10 + 3 is an easier way to see 13.
- Model 'Counting On': For 12 + 3, put 12 in your head, then use fingers to count 13, 14, 15.
- Connect the symbols: Write 8 + 6 = 14 on the board and draw a circle around the group of 10 to show the visual connection.
- Check for understanding by asking students to use their counters to show 7 + 5 and holding up their boards.
Guided practice
The teacher will project a series of word problems. For example: 'Sam has 9 blue marbles and 6 green marbles. How many in all?' Students will work at their desks using their counters. The teacher will walk around to ensure students are filling the first ten-frame completely before starting the second. We will then record the '10-fact' equivalent (10 + 5 = 15) on the board together.
Independent practice
Students will complete the 'Add and Color' worksheet where they must model three specific problems using circles to represent counters. They will then move on to a set of 10 vertical and horizontal addition problems, using their personal ten-frames as a support tool as needed.
Closure
Review the strategies: ask the class when it is best to 'Make a Ten' versus 'Count On.' For the Exit Ticket, students must solve 9 + 7 on a sticky note by drawing it as a '10 and some more' picture and writing the final sum.
Assessment
Mastery will be measured through the accuracy of the independent worksheet (80% or higher) and the ability to correctly model a 'Make a Ten' problem during the closing exit ticket.
Differentiation
Struggling learners will receive a pre-filled ten-frame of 10 and focus solely on adding single digits to 10 (e.g., 10+2, 10+5). Advanced learners will be challenged to find 'missing addends' (e.g., 8 + ? = 15) and create their own addition word problems for a partner to solve.
Ten-Frame Addition Fun
Use your counters or draw circles to solve these addition problems. Remember to fill the first ten-frame before moving to the next!
- 9 + 2 =
- 8 + 4 =
- 7 + 6 =
- 9 + 5 =
- 8 + 7 =
- 6 + 6 =
- 9 + 9 =
- 5 + 8 =
- 7 + 4 =
- 9 + 8 =
Quick Addition Check-Up
- What is 9 + 4?
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
Answer: 13 - If you have 8 and you want to make 10, how many more do you need?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Answer: 2 - 10 + 7 = ?
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
Answer: 17 - Which equation is the same as 9 + 6?
- 10 + 4
- 10 + 5
- 10 + 6
- 10 + 7
Answer: 10 + 5 - What is 8 + 8?
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
Answer: 16 - Solve: 7 + 5 =
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
Answer: 12 - There are 11 cats and 4 more come over. How many cats are there?
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
Answer: 15 - Which of these equals 20?
- 10+5
- 10+9
- 10+10
- 10+0
Answer: 10+10
Addition at Home: Strategies for Success
This week, we are practicing adding numbers with sums up to 20. Please encourage your child to use the 'Make a Ten' strategy. If they are stuck on 9+5, ask them: 'How many more does 9 need to become 10?' then add the leftovers.
- Find 20 small items (beans, pennies, or cereal) to use as counters for homework.
- Solve: 9 + 3 using your counters and tell a parent the answer.
- Solve: 8 + 6 using your counters and explain how you made a ten.
- Practice 'Counting On' by starting at 12 and counting 5 more out loud.
- Draw two ten-frames and show the number 14 using circles.
- Write your own addition story problem about snacks and solve it.
Vocabulary
- Addition · noun
- Putting two or more numbers together to find the total.
- "Addition helps us find out how many toys we have in total."
- Sum · noun
- The answer to an addition problem.
- "In the problem 5 + 5 = 10, the sum is 10."
- Equation · noun
- A mathematical sentence that uses an equal sign.
- "2 + 3 = 5 is an addition equation."
- Ten-Frame · noun
- A 2x5 grid used to help visualize numbers and count.
- "We put eight dots in the ten-frame."
- Addend · noun
- One of the numbers being added together.
- "In 4 + 3, the numbers 4 and 3 are addends."
- Strategy · noun
- A plan or method used to solve a problem.
- "My favorite math strategy is counting on my fingers."
- Digits · noun
- The symbols 0-9 used to write numbers.
- "The number 15 has two digits."
- Total · noun
- The whole amount; the result of adding everything up.
- "The total number of apples in the basket is twelve."
- Plus · preposition
- The word used to show we are adding numbers together.
- "Two plus two equals four."
- Count On · verb
- To start at one number and then keep counting up.
- "To solve 10 + 2, I start at 10 and count on: 11, 12."
Activities
- Ten-Frame Scavenger Hunt · 15 minutes
Hide various cards around the room with partially filled double ten-frames. Students move in pairs with a clipboard. They must find each card, identify the number shown, and write an addition equation that describes it (e.g., 10 + 4 = 14). This encourages movement and visual number recognition.
- Dice Shake and Add · 10 minutes
Students work in pairs. One student rolls a 10-sided die, and the other rolls a 6-sided die. They use their counters and ten-frames to find the sum of the two numbers. After 5 rounds, they switch roles. Teacher circulates to help students who aren't 'making a ten' correctly.
- Human Number Line · 10 minutes
Place number cards 0-20 on the floor in a line. One student stands on a starting number (like 9). Another student draws a card (like +5). The student on the line hops forward 5 spaces while the class counts aloud: '10, 11, 12, 13, 14!' This kinesthetic activity reinforces the 'Counting On' strategy.
- Make a Ten Race · 10 minutes
Draw two large ten-frames on the whiteboard. Split the class into two teams. Call out a number like '7'. One student from each team runs to the board and draws how many more circles are needed to fill the frame to ten. Point goes to the fastest team with the correct number of circles.