Math lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 60 minutes
Plus or minus? Choose the sign
Addition and subtraction
CCSS K.OA.A.1CCSS K.OA.A.5England: Reception NumberEngland: Y1 Addition and subtraction
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Plus or minus? Choose the sign.
- 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: Match a number sentence to a picture or story
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Base-ten blocks, Number lines, Hundred square, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Match a number sentence to a picture or story). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which number sentence matches the picture? ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ + ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ (4 + 6 = 10 / 4 + 5 = 9 / 4 − 5 = -1 / 5 + 5 = 10) → 4 + 5 = 9Prompt: Count each group.
- Which number sentence matches the story? Fatima had 7 shells. Fatima gave 6 to Zara. How many shells does Fatima have left? (7 − 6 = 1 / 7 + 6 = 13 / 7 − 5 = 2) → 7 − 6 = 1Prompt: Does the amount get bigger or smaller?
- Which number sentence matches the picture? ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ + ▲ ▲ (5 + 3 = 8 / 5 − 2 = 3 / 5 + 2 = 7 / 6 + 2 = 8) → 5 + 2 = 7Prompt: Count each group.
Hook · 6 min
- Give a real shopping total or a score difference and ask for a quick estimate first.
- Share the objective: Plus or minus? Choose the sign. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which sign makes this true? 9 __ 1 = 10
- Step 1: 9 + 1 = 10
- Step 2: +
- Answer: +
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 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 sign makes this true? 9 __ 3 = 6 (+ / −) → −Prompt: Is 6 more or less than 9?
- Should you add or subtract? Nia had 10 books. Nia gave 3 to Jamal. How many books does Nia have left? (Add (+) / Subtract (−)) → Subtract (−)Prompt: Are things joined together, or taken away?
You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Should you add or subtract? There are 2 shells on the table and 8 shells in a box. How many shells are there altogether? (Add (+) / Subtract (−)) → Add (+)Prompt: Are things joined together, or taken away?
- Which sign makes this true? 7 __ 3 = 10 (+ / −) → +Prompt: Is 10 more or less than 7?
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: Match a number sentence to a picture or story.
- 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
- 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