Bird Math: Acting Out Addition and Subtraction!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:08 Video
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Lesson Description

Join Mrs. Lawson in the forest to learn about addition and subtraction by acting out fun stories with birds! We'll learn about 'some and some more' and 'some and some went away'.

Video Resource

Grade 1:Math Lesson #12 Acting Out Addition and Subtraction Questions

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 5:08
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Addition as 'some and some more'
  • Subtraction as 'some and some went away'
  • Acting out word problems to visualize math

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to solve simple addition and subtraction problems by acting them out.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between addition ('some and some more') and subtraction ('some and some went away').
  • Students will be able to represent addition and subtraction problems using objects.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they like birds. Show pictures of the birds mentioned in the video: red-winged blackbird, woodpecker, chickadee, goldfinch, and blue jay. Briefly discuss what addition and subtraction mean. (Adding means you get more, subtracting means some go away.)
  • Watch the Video (7 mins)
    Play the YouTube video: Grade 1:Math Lesson #12 Acting Out Addition and Subtraction Questions. Encourage students to pay attention to how Mrs. Lawson uses the birds to tell math stories.
  • Discussion and Practice (10 mins)
    After watching the video, discuss the different math stories Mrs. Lawson told. Ask students to recall the addition and subtraction problems. Then, use objects in the classroom (e.g., pencils, erasers, blocks) to act out similar addition and subtraction stories. Guide students in creating their own stories.
  • Independent Practice (8 mins)
    Provide students with simple addition and subtraction worksheets with word problems. Encourage them to draw pictures or use manipulatives (e.g., counters) to help them solve the problems. Examples: 'There were 3 apples on the table. You ate 1 apple. How many apples are left?' or 'You have 2 toy cars. Your friend gives you 2 more. How many toy cars do you have now?'

Interactive Exercises

  • Classroom Bird Story
    Have students act as different types of birds (or other animals/objects). Call out instructions like: 'Two bluebirds fly into the classroom. Then one robin flies in. How many birds are in the classroom now?' Then, 'If one bluebird flies away, how many birds are left?' Students physically act out the movements to solve the problems.
  • Drawing Math Stories
    Provide students with blank paper. Tell simple addition or subtraction stories and have them draw pictures to represent the stories and solve the math problems.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean when we 'add' things together?
  • What does it mean when we 'subtract' things?
  • Can you think of a time you used addition or subtraction today?
  • How did acting out the bird stories help you understand the math problems?

Skills Developed

  • Addition and subtraction within 10
  • Problem-solving
  • Visual representation of math concepts
  • Following directions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'add' mean?

Correct Answer: To get more

Question 2:

What does 'subtract' mean?

Correct Answer: To take away

Question 3:

If you have 2 birds and 1 more flies in, how many birds do you have?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 4:

If you have 4 birds and 2 fly away, how many birds are left?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 5:

Which word means 'some and some more'?

Correct Answer: Adding

Question 6:

Which word means 'some and some went away'?

Correct Answer: Subtracting

Question 7:

Which of these shows adding?

Correct Answer: Birds landing on a tree

Question 8:

Which of these shows subtracting?

Correct Answer: Birds flying away

Question 9:

If you have 5 candies and you eat 2, how many are left?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 10:

You have 1 toy car. Your friend gives you 3 more. How many cars do you have now?

Correct Answer: 4

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

When we ___ we get more.

Correct Answer: add

Question 2:

When we ___ we take some away.

Correct Answer: subtract

Question 3:

2 birds + 1 bird = ___ birds

Correct Answer: 3

Question 4:

4 birds - 2 birds = ___ birds

Correct Answer: 2

Question 5:

'Some and some more' is called ___.

Correct Answer: adding

Question 6:

'Some and some went away' is called ___.

Correct Answer: subtracting

Question 7:

If 3 birds land on a tree, we are ___ to the tree.

Correct Answer: adding

Question 8:

If 2 birds fly away from the tree, we are ___ from the tree.

Correct Answer: subtracting

Question 9:

5 fingers - 1 finger = ___ fingers

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

1 star + 4 stars = ___ stars

Correct Answer: 5

Educational Standards

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.D.7:Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 - 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2. 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).

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