Browse lesson plans

An apple a day: Understanding halves and simple addition

This is a hands-on lesson which uses apples to introduce the concept of "half" and to teach simple addition. This lesson was taught to a group of 1st grade EC students.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

By Janet Acorn.

Candy math

Unit on reviewing Math skills. The unit will take 20 minutes per day for 6 days. A good activity for late spring.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

By Tammy Sharpe.

Domino fun!

Students will use a domino turned vertically and count the dots in the top section and the dots in the bottom section and add the 2 numbers together and write an equation. Students can make a domino to eat.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)

By Lydia Wilson.

Friendship addition

This lesson introduces students to the concept of basic single digit addition.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

By Jennifer Barbee.

Introduction to fact families: Addition (commutative property)

Students will "invent" their own examples that demonstrate the commutative property of addition through hands-on activities.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

By William Krupicka.

Make math "bear"-able

The students will use teddy bear counters to explore addition and subtraction facts (1-10). Students will demonstrate an understanding of ordinal numbers by locating the position of their counters on their workmats.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

By Nikki Gilmore.

Number combinations

Students will use green and blue craft pom-poms to explore number combinations to five.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

By Beth Deyton.

Pattern block addition

Students will practice addition, problem solving, and writing equations in the context of a fun and challenging pattern game.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)

By Dawn Potter.

Piggies

This activity is a fun, interactive lesson that integrates children's literature with math (a great way to integrate author studies). This activity allows students to be involved in four learning styles (visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic).

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

By Stephanie Hatcher.

Supermarket sweep: Day 2

Students will participate in a supermarket game and follow a shopping list. Students will compare the quantity of items “purchased” and graph results. Students will also learn a song about shopping in a supermarket.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Development and Mathematics)

By Angela Hunt and Melody Holmes.

Resources on the web

Addend pairs to 12

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Learn Those Facts,” students explore pairs of numbers that add to 12 or less by playing a game. They then add to their personal addition chart and prepare a new chart that... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Balancing

In this lesson, the fourth of a six-part unit from Illuminations, students are encouraged to explore another model of subtraction—the balance. This model leads naturally to recording with equations. Students use actual and virtual pan balances in... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Balancing discoveries

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Do It with Dominoes,” encourages students to explore another model of addition, the “balance” model. The exploration also involves recording the modeled addition facts... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Begin with buttons: Looking back and moving forward

This Illuminations lesson is the last of an eight-part unit titled “Begin With Buttons.” In this lesson, students review the work of the previous lessons through a variety of activity stations, one of which involves using an interactive website.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Block pounds

In this lesson from Illuminations, students explore the use of variables as unknowns as they solve for the weights of objects using information presented in pictures. They also model situations that involve the addition and subtraction of whole numbers,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparing connecting cubes: Looking back and moving forward

This lesson, the last of a six-lesson unit from Illuminations, reviews the work of the previous lessons and suggests a framework for summative assessment. Students use the mathematical knowledge and skills developed in the previous lessons to demonstrate... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparing sets

In this lesson, the second of a six-part unit from Illuminations, a children's book sets the stage for encouraging students to review counting back. Students write subtraction problems and model them with cubes. They then compare sets and record differences... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Counting back and counting on

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Links Away,” focuses on the counting model for subtraction. Students model numbers as a counting book is read. They then make a chain of links and write in vertical and horizontal... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Counting to find sums

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Do it with Dominoes,” focuses on the “counting” model for addition and begins with reading a counting book. Students model the numbers with counters as the book is read.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Exploring adding with sets

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Do It with Dominoes,” builds on lessons one and two and encourages students to explore another model for addition, the “familiar set” model. This model is similar to... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations