Magic Math: Adding and Subtracting with Tricks!

Math Grades 1st Grade 6:54 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to add and subtract using fun tricks and number lines! We'll use magic objects to help us solve math problems.

Video Resource

Learn Addition and Counting | Mental Math for 1st Grade | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 6:54
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Addition as 'more than'
  • Subtraction as 'less than'
  • Using a number line to add and subtract
  • Visual representations of addition and subtraction

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to solve addition problems by counting up on a number line.
  • Students will be able to solve subtraction problems by counting down on a number line.
  • Students will be able to identify 'more than' as addition and 'less than' as subtraction.
  • Students will be able to use drawings to represent and solve subtraction problems.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what 'more than' and 'less than' mean. Explain that 'more than' means we add and get a bigger number, and 'less than' means we subtract and get a smaller number. Introduce the idea that we can use a number line to help us add and subtract.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the Kids Academy video 'Learn Addition and Counting | Mental Math for 1st Grade' together as a class. Pause at each problem to allow students time to think and answer.
  • Practice with Number Lines (10 mins)
    Provide each student with a number line (1-20). Write addition and subtraction problems on the board, such as '3 more than 5' and '2 less than 8'. Have students use their number lines to solve the problems. Encourage them to draw jumps on the number line like in the video.
  • Drawing Pictures (8 mins)
    Present subtraction problems and encourage students to draw pictures. For example, for the problem '3 less than 8', have them draw 8 circles and then cross out 3. Count the remaining circles to find the answer.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the concepts of 'more than' and 'less than'. Ask students to share their favorite strategy for solving addition and subtraction problems.

Interactive Exercises

  • Magic Object Math
    Gather some small objects (e.g., erasers, crayons). Present problems like, 'I have 5 crayons, and I get 2 more. How many do I have?' or 'I have 7 erasers, and I give away 3. How many do I have left?' Have students use the objects to solve the problems.

Discussion Questions

  • What does 'more than' mean?
  • What does 'less than' mean?
  • How can a number line help us add and subtract?
  • What other ways can we solve addition and subtraction problems?

Skills Developed

  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Number recognition
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'more than' mean?

Correct Answer: Adding

Question 2:

What does 'less than' mean?

Correct Answer: Taking Away

Question 3:

What is 2 more than 4?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 4:

What is 3 less than 8?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 5:

If you have 5 cookies and get 2 more, how many do you have?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 6:

If you have 10 toys and give away 4, how many toys are left?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 7:

Which tool can help us count?

Correct Answer: Number Line

Question 8:

5 more than 10 is the same as?

Correct Answer: 15

Question 9:

4 less than 16 is the same as?

Correct Answer: 12

Question 10:

What do we do when we see 'more than'?

Correct Answer: Add

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

'More than' means we _________.

Correct Answer: add

Question 2:

'Less than' means we _________.

Correct Answer: subtract

Question 3:

A _________ can help us count.

Correct Answer: number line

Question 4:

2 more than 6 is _________.

Correct Answer: 8

Question 5:

3 less than 5 is _________.

Correct Answer: 2

Question 6:

5 more than 3 is _________.

Correct Answer: 8

Question 7:

1 less than 10 is _________.

Correct Answer: 9

Question 8:

When we add, the number gets _________.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 9:

When we subtract, the number gets _________.

Correct Answer: smaller

Question 10:

10 more than 5 is _________.

Correct Answer: 15

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.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 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).

Teaching Materials

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