Adding Fun with Mental Math!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:42 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to add numbers quickly in your head! This lesson uses a fun video to teach you easy ways to add without using your fingers (but you can if you need to!).

Video Resource

Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Adding Mentally

KidsClassroom - Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

Duration: 5:42
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Addition
  • Counting On
  • Mental Math Strategies

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to add two numbers mentally by counting on.
  • Students will be able to solve simple addition problems presented in a story format.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what their favorite sweets are. Introduce the idea of adding those sweets together to find out how many they have in total. Then, play the video 'Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Adding Mentally' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u3YwTTz2BY).
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, review the 'counting on' strategy. Ask students to give examples of addition problems. Guide them by asking, 'What is 2 + 3? Let's start at 2, then count three more: 3, 4, 5. So, 2 + 3 = 5!' Do several examples together on the board.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Give students simple addition worksheets (e.g., 3 + 2 = ?, 4 + 1 = ?, 5 + 3 = ?). Encourage them to use the counting on strategy or other mental math tricks that work for them. Have them draw dots or use small objects if needed.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (5 mins)
    Review the answers to the worksheet. Ask students to share any mental math tricks they discovered. Briefly introduce the concept of a number line as another tool for addition (optional).

Interactive Exercises

  • Adding with Objects
    Provide students with small objects like counters or blocks. Call out addition problems (e.g., 'Show me 4 blocks, then add 2 more. How many blocks do you have now?').
  • Number Line Addition
    Use a number line. Start at the first number in the addition problem and hop forward the number of spaces indicated by the second number. Where you land is the answer!

Discussion Questions

  • What is your favorite way to add numbers?
  • Can you think of a time when you used addition in your everyday life?

Skills Developed

  • Mental Math
  • Problem Solving
  • Number Sense

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is 2 + 2?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 2:

What is 3 + 1?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 3:

What is 5 + 0?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 4:

What is 1 + 4?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 5:

What is 6 + 1?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 6:

If you have 3 apples and you get 2 more, how many apples do you have?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 7:

What is 4 + 3?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 8:

What is the same as counting on?

Correct Answer: Adding

Question 9:

What is 2 + 5?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 10:

What is 1 + 1?

Correct Answer: 2

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

3 + 2 = ____

Correct Answer: 5

Question 2:

1 + 1 = ____

Correct Answer: 2

Question 3:

4 + 0 = ____

Correct Answer: 4

Question 4:

2 + 4 = ____

Correct Answer: 6

Question 5:

5 + 1 = ____

Correct Answer: 6

Question 6:

If you have 2 cookies and get 3 more, you have ____ cookies.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 7:

1 + 6 = ____

Correct Answer: 7

Question 8:

Counting on helps you do ____.

Correct Answer: addition

Question 9:

2 + 6 = ____

Correct Answer: 8

Question 10:

1 + 3 = ____

Correct Answer: 4

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13). CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2).

Teaching Materials

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