Students will learn to add by counting on from the larger number.
Students will understand that starting with the larger number is more efficient.
Number line, counters, manipulatives, worksheets, whiteboard markers
Review counting to 20 and introduce the concept of addition as combining groups.
Show 8 + 3 using manipulatives: 8 red counters and 3 blue counters.
Demonstrate counting on strategy: Start at 8, count 3 more: 9, 10, 11.
Practice with examples: 7 + 4, 9 + 2, 6 + 5.
Emphasize starting with the larger number for efficiency.
Work through problems together: 8 + 4, 5 + 7, 9 + 3.
Have students use manipulatives to model the counting on strategy.
Students complete worksheet with counting on problems.
Assess understanding through observation and questioning.
Students will learn to make ten when adding numbers close to 10.
Students will understand how to decompose numbers to make 10.
Ten frames, counters, number bonds, worksheets, base-10 blocks
Review number combinations that make 10: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5.
Use ten frames to visualize these combinations.
Demonstrate making ten strategy: 9 + 4 = 9 + 1 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13.
Show how breaking apart 4 into 1 and 3 helps make 10 with 9.
Practice with examples: 8 + 5, 7 + 4, 6 + 6.
Work through problems together: 9 + 3, 8 + 4, 7 + 5.
Have students use ten frames to model the making ten strategy.
Students complete worksheet with making ten problems.
Assess understanding through problem-solving tasks.
Adding Within 20
Strategies and Methods
Counting On: Start at 8, count 5 more
Making 10: 9 + 1 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13
Practice Makes Perfect!
This section provides a comprehensive overview of adding within 20 lesson plans, including definitions, methods, strategies, and key concepts for 1st grade students.
Addition: Combining numbers to find a total or sum.
Within 20: Problems where the answer is 20 or less.
Counting On: Starting with the larger number and counting up.
Making Ten: Breaking apart numbers to make 10 with one addend.
• Always start with the larger number when counting on
• Use 10 as a benchmark number for easier addition
• The sum of two numbers within 20 will never exceed 20
• Order doesn't matter (commutative property)
Counting On: Start with the larger number and count up
Making Ten: Break apart numbers to make 10 first
Doubles Plus One: Use known doubles facts
Number Line: Visual representation of addition
Counting On: 8 + 5 = start at 8, count 5: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Making Ten: 9 + 4 = 9 + 1 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13
Doubles Plus One: 6 + 7 = 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13
Commutative: 5 + 8 = 8 + 5 = 13
• Start with the larger number to minimize counting
• Practice doubles facts regularly (they help with near doubles)
• Use fingers or drawings if needed initially
• Look for numbers that are close to 10
• Starting to count from 1 instead of the larger number
• Miscounting when counting on
• Not recognizing opportunities to make 10
• Forgetting that order doesn't matter
Questions & Answers
Question: What are the most effective strategies for teaching addition within 20 to 1st graders?
Answer: The most effective strategies for 1st graders include:
- Concrete Manipulatives: Use counters, cubes, or other physical objects to represent numbers.
- Number Lines: Help students visualize addition as moving forward on the number line.
- Ten Frames: Develop number sense and help students see relationships to 10.
- Counting Strategies: Counting on for addition.
- Making Ten: Break apart numbers to make 10 first.
Start with concrete materials, then move to pictorial representations, and finally abstract symbols. This progression supports conceptual understanding.
Focus on strategies rather than rote memorization, especially in early lessons.
Question: My child is struggling with the "making ten" strategy. How can I help them understand this concept better?
Answer: The "making ten" strategy can be challenging at first! Here are ways to help:
- Use concrete objects: Show with counters, blocks, or fingers
- Focus on partners of 10: Practice 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5 until automatic
- Visual aids: Use ten frames or number bonds to show the relationship
- Start simple: Begin with problems like 9 + 2, then progress to 8 + 3, 7 + 4
- Verbalize: Say "9 needs 1 more to make 10" and "I have 2, so 1 goes to make 10, leaving 1"
Emphasize that making 10 creates an easier problem. With consistent practice, children will recognize these patterns automatically. The strategy becomes very powerful once mastered!
Be patient - this concept typically takes several weeks to fully grasp.
Question: Why do we learn to "make 10"? Isn't it easier to just count everything?
Answer: Great question! Making 10 is actually much faster and easier once you get good at it!
Let's compare:
For 9 + 4:
- Counting all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (13 counts!)
- Making 10: 9 + 1 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13 (just 2 steps!)
Making 10 is like having a shortcut. Also, knowing 10 facts really well helps you with bigger numbers later, like 19 + 4 or 29 + 4.
Think of 10 as a "friendly number" that makes addition easier. Once you practice enough, making 10 becomes automatic and much faster than counting everything!
It's like learning a secret code that makes math faster!