Math lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes
Match a number sentence to a picture or story
Addition and subtraction
CCSS K.OA.A.1CCSS K.OA.A.2England: Reception NumberEngland: Y1 Addition and subtraction
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Match a number sentence to a picture or story.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Add two groups of pictures (to 10); Take away with pictures (to 10)
Leads to: Plus or minus? Choose the sign
Materials: Base-ten blocks, Number lines, Hundred square, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Add two groups of pictures (to 10); Take away with pictures (to 10)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- How many shapes are there altogether? ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ● → 8Prompt: Count the top row, then keep counting the bottom row.
- There were 9. The ✗ ones were taken away. How many are left? ★ ★ ★ ★ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ → 4Prompt: Count only the pictures without a ✗.
- How many shapes are there altogether? ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ → 10Prompt: Count the top row, then keep counting the bottom row.
Hook · 5 min
- Give a real shopping total or a score difference and ask for a quick estimate first.
- Share the objective: Match a number sentence to a picture or story. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which number sentence matches the picture? ★ ★ + ★ ★ ★
- Step 1: 2 + 3 = 5
- Answer: 2 + 3 = 5
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which number sentence matches the picture? ● ● + ● ● (2 + 2 = 4 / 2 − 2 = 0 / 3 + 2 = 5 / 2 + 3 = 5) → 2 + 2 = 4Prompt: Count each group.
- Which number sentence matches the story? Sam has 5 flowers. Leo gives Sam 1 more. How many flowers does Sam have now? (5 + 1 = 6 / 5 − 1 = 4 / 5 + 2 = 7) → 5 + 1 = 6Prompt: Does the amount get bigger or smaller?
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which number sentence matches the picture? ▲ ▲ + ▲ (3 + 1 = 4 / 2 + 1 = 3 / 2 + 2 = 4 / 2 − 1 = 1) → 2 + 1 = 3Prompt: Count each group.
- Which number sentence matches the story? Nia has 8 ducks. Chloe gives Nia 6 more. How many ducks does Nia have now? (8 + 7 = 15 / 8 − 6 = 2 / 8 + 6 = 14) → 8 + 6 = 14Prompt: Does the amount get bigger or smaller?
Watch out for
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the bigger one in every column (52 − 17 = 45).
- Forgetting to add the regrouped (carried) ten.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Add two groups of pictures (to 10).
- Use concrete materials: base-ten blocks.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Plus or minus? Choose the sign.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder