Math lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes
Add two groups of pictures (to 5)
Addition and subtraction
CCSS K.OA.A.1CCSS K.OA.A.5England: Reception Number
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Add two groups of pictures (to 5).
- 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: Count pictures up to 5
Leads to: Add two groups of pictures (to 10); Adding and taking away zero; Add by jumping along a number line (to 10)
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 (Count pictures up to 5). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- How many dots are there? ● → 1Prompt: Touch each one as you count it.
- Which number tells how many hearts? ♥ ♥ ♥ (3 / 4 / 2 / 1) → 3Prompt: Count them carefully, one at a time.
- Daniel counted these diamonds and said "6". Is Daniel right? ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ (Yes / No) → NoPrompt: Count the pictures yourself first.
Hook · 5 min
- Give a real shopping total or a score difference and ask for a quick estimate first.
- Share the objective: Add two groups of pictures (to 5). 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: 2 triangles and 3 more. How many altogether? ▲ ▲ + ▲ ▲ ▲
- Step 1: 2 + 3 = 5
- Step 2: 5
- Answer: 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.
- 4 dots and 1 more. How many altogether? ● ● ● ● + ● → 5Prompt: Count the first group, then keep counting the second group.
- Hana has 4 beads in one hand and 1 bead in the other. How many beads is that? → 5Prompt: Show each amount on your fingers.
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.
- Liam has 4 buttons in one hand and 1 button in the other. How many buttons is that? → 5Prompt: Show each amount on your fingers.
- 3 + 2 = ? → 5Prompt: Hold up 3 fingers, then 2 more.
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: Count pictures up to 5.
- 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: Add two groups of pictures (to 10); Adding and taking away zero; Add by jumping along a number line (to 10).
- 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